Blog - Soroptimist International

Opening of the 73rd General Assembly at the United Nations in New York, September 18, 2018

A blog by SI UN Representative, Marie D’Amato-Rizzi "The 73rd meeting of the United Nations General Assembly was begun by its President, Maria Fernanda Espinosa Garces of Ecuador. As only the fourth woman to hold this position since the founding of the United Nations, she noted that this should encourage

Report on the Symposium UNESCO, 7 September 2018

Introduction by SI Director of Advocacy, Bev Bucur "Reading is the greatest gift you can give a woman or girl because literacy opens the door to the world and is critical for achieving social and economic empowerment. 8 September, International Literacy Day, saw events take place around the world to

A USEFUL TOOL FOR SOROPTIMISTS – ADVOCACY GUIDEBOOK ON HUMAN TRAFFICKING FOR SEXUAL EXPLOITATION –

A blog by SI United Nations (UN) Representative, New York Barbara Rochman INHERENT DIGNITY: An Advocacy Guidebook to preventing trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation and realizing the human rights of women and girls throughout their lives was launched at the UN Church Center in New York by Mercy

‘We the Peoples’ The 67th UN DPI/NGO Conference

A blog by Dr. Nina Smart 22-23 August 2018, UN Headquarters, New York, the 67th UN DPI/NGO Conference was co-hosted by the UN Department of Public Information and the NGO/DPI Executive Committee. Opening Plenary "On 22 August, 2018, the occasion of the start of The 67th UN DPI/NGO Conference was

A WORD OR TWO ABOUT OLDER WOMEN

A blog by Frances Zainoeddin, SI Representative, New York, "I urge Soroptimists everywhere to also pay attention to older women. In many countries they are ostracised, neglected and abused (including financial abuse), often by family members and care-givers. Widows in some countries have no property rights and have no access

Civil Society participation in the Voluntary National Reports at the HLPF-2018

A blog by SI UN Representative, New York, Vanesa Treers "More than 100 ministers, joined by mayors, business and civil society leaders, and international organizations engaged in dialogue at the United Nations High-Level Political Forum for Sustainable Development (HLPF) on July 2018 in New York. The aim was to follow-up

Addressing Poverty – High Level Political Forum 2018

A blog by SI UN Representative Bette Levy. "I attended two side events regarding poverty. While the approaches were very different the bottom line of both was unless we eradicate ‘relative poverty’ we would be leaving the most marginalized behind especially women and girls. The statistics speak for themselves. 80%

Frances Zainoeddin, SI UN Representative, New York reviews the HLPF 2018

A blog by Frances Zainoeddin, SI UN Representative, New York "The 2018 High Level Political Forum, tasked with follow-up and review of implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Development, was held from 9 to 18 July 2018. The first week was filled with panel discussions, addressing the theme “Transformation towards

The 10th Water Business Forum Singapore

A Report from the 10th Water Business Forum, held at the Sands Expo and Convention Center, Singapore, 11 July 2018 by Dr. Theresa Devasahayam, Secretary, Soroptimist International of Singapore (SIS). Women and Water: Pressing for Gender Equality "There is no doubt that water is essential for life, as much as

Reflecting on the 2018 High Level Political Forum Part Two by Bette Levy

"New this year at the HLPF was the open discussions regarding Menstrual Hygiene, not just the usual conversations or key issues related to water and sanitation issues (Goal 6) but the specific issue of menstruation for women and girls. The serious issues and risks to health, safety, gender equality, access