Soroptimist International is a worldwide organization for women in management and professions, working through service projects to advance human rights and the status of women.

Hanne Jensbo

From the International President

“What is Soroptimism?” is the first question that we are asked when we as members introduce ourselves as Soroptimists.

The core values are reflected in the vision and mission of Soroptimist International:’Soroptimists inspire action and create opportunities to transform the lives of women and girls through a global network of members and international partnerships.’

“How do Soroptimists realize the vision and mission?” is the next question.

We realize our vision and mission through our programme, where we try to ‘ensure that women and girls enjoy equality, live in safe and healthy environments, have access to education and have leadership and practical skills.

Besides its programme work Soroptimism also exists to build networks and friendship between its members. It is a fantastic challenge to know that I have almost 90,000 professional women in 123 countries whom I can trust and have friendship with without considering differences in culture, language or distance.

Soroptimists are deeply concerned about the major issues confronting the world today, such as climate change, disarmament, poverty, lack of water and sanitation, lack of education and malnutrition. In all those questions we try through our UN representatives to call for understanding that the gender perspective should be put on the agenda in all new declarations and initiatives, simply because women and girls continue to be the poorest, the most vulnerable and most oppressed societal group in the world.

Haiti Earthquake

Please visit SI Europe’s website to support its appeal for donations for the victims and homeless in Haiti after the earthquake. As Soroptimists we will try to support our local club in Port-au-Prince to set up activities, so that they can give assistance to their local community. I know that Soroptimists will help to rebuild lives in Haiti after this devastating catastrophe and give hope to the citizens of Port-au-Prince.

I am closing by repeating my personal motto: ”Action Speaks Louder than Words”

In friendship

Hanne Jensbo
International President 2009-2011

Haiti Earthquake Appeal

Please give your support to Soroptimist International of Europe's Appeal to help survivors of the disaster in Haiti.

You can make your donation by visiting www.soroptimisteurope.org

http://www.saynotoviolence.org/

Soroptimist International – once again a Launch Partner for the campaign – supports Say NO – UNiTE to End Violence against Women a global call for action, launched in November 2009, to end violence against women and girls. It is presented by UNIFEM as a contribution to advance the objectives of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s campaign UNiTE to End Violence against Women through social mobilization.

Say NO builds upon the momentum generated during its first phase when 5,066,549 people signed on to a global call to make ending violence against women a top priority worldwide. Heads of States and Ministers from 69 Governments and more than 600 Parliamentarians have added their names to Say NO since then.

Say NO aims to trigger and highlight actions by individuals, governments and civil society partners. Actions can range from reaching out to students at schools, to volunteering at local shelters, advocating for legislation or donating funds towards programmes that protect women and girls from violence. Every action will be counted to showcase the global groundswell of engagement that exists on the issue. The initial target is to reach 100,000 actions by March 2010 and 1 million actions in one year.

• Check out the news and actions coming in on www.saynotoviolence.org.
• Follow the link to the Organisers toolkit to help you plan actions:
  http://www.saynotoviolence.org/about-say-no/organizers-toolkit

Stop the Traffik’ Global Coalition

Soroptimist International joins the ‘Stop the Traffik’ Global Coalition.

Find out how you can help…

SI Programme Blog

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International relations

General Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council, United Nations (ECOSOC); Operational Relations with the United Nations Educational, Scientific & Cultural Organization (UNESCO); Special List of the International Labour Organization (ILO); Official Relations with the World Health Organization (WHO), Official Relations with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO); Consultative Status with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). Accredited to the Commonwealth as a Civil Society Organization.