Soroptimist International is
launching its Global Impact Report 2012-13 today, demonstrating the collective impact
of SI’s work around the world, educating, empowering and enabling opportunities
for women and girls. For the first time,
the GIR is being produced as an online report, both to make it more
cost-effective and environmentally sustainable to distribute, and also to help
it reach a wider audience.   

Read the Global Impact Report
2012-13: www.soroptimistinternational.org/impact.

Global Impact

“As a world-wide
organization, we are united in our efforts to share the work that we do, to
benefit women and girls”, explain SI Presidents Alice
Wells (2011-13) and Ann Garvie (2013-15), in their introduction to the report.  “Some of
our projects may seem small and local, but collectively our impact is huge as
we work together, sharing our expertise globally, learning from one another.”

The
report shows that in 2012, Soroptimists reported on 3,727 projects to promote women and
girls’ participation in education and leadership, benefitting nearly 110,000 women and girls.  39 projects from around the world are
highlighted as “Projects
of Excellence” within the report.

As
well as playing a vital role in sharing good practice within the Soroptimist movement,
the Global Impact Report is a key tool to inform and support SI’s work in
influencing international policy and decision-making.

“We are a Global Voice for women and girls
and this report demonstrates and showcases our voice”, says SI’s International
Programme Director Hilary Ratcliffe.  “Through over 80,000 of our club members in 127
countries worldwide working on projects of all kinds we are able to pull
information together for this Global Impact Report. This grass roots activism
gives us the right and credibility to speak out.” 

SI evidence shows that small scale projects, together, can have
huge scale impact improving the lives of women and girls.

Focus on Violence Against Women
and Girls

This year’s Global Impact Report focusses in particular on
gender-violence, one of the primary barriers to women’s equality and an
area of huge concern to Soroptimists worldwide.

“Violence
against women and girls continues to be a huge issue. It’s horrifying that 1 in
3 women will experience violence in their lifetime”, write Presidents Ann and Alice in their introduction.

The Report summarises the latest research on this
disturbing issue and explores how Soroptimists worldwide are tackling the
problem through education, empowerment and enabling opportunities. Case studies
of successful projects around the world are highlighted.

A new Soroptimist film, “Violence
Against Women – A year to make a difference” is being launched with the Global
Impact Report and Soroptimists and supporters around the world are being
encouraged to share the film via social media on International Day for the
Elimination of Violence Against Women, 25th November 2013.

Watch the film here:

Read the Soroptimist
International Global Impact Report 2012-13