Blog - Soroptimist International

Gathering Collective Power

A report by Dawn Marie Lemonds, SI Director and participant in Virtual CSW64 Consultation Forum "Its not New York and CSW64 - but it is the TIME! The NGO/CSW Virtual Consultation Day provided a quick, 1.5 hour virtual forum for people to join from their living rooms, offices or coffee

What is the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action?

"To advance the goals of equality, development, and peace for all women everywhere in the interest of all humanity”. (Beijing Declaration, 1995). "In 1995, 189 governments were joined by 17,000 participants and 30,000 non-governmental activists in Beijing for the opening of the Fourth World Conference on Women. For two weeks,

Women and the Environment: Roles, Risks and Rights

Blog by Theresa W. Devasahayam, SI UN Representative for Bangkok. "Each year, the month of March is a crucial time for women’s organisations worldwide as we take stock of the progress women and girls in different parts of the world have made in the last year as well as the

Dreams come true in California

A blog by Linda Gillis, SI Clovis 'Dream It Be It' Chair The SIA Dream It Be It; Career Support for Girls Program ® (DIBI) reached more than 50 high school girls in the rural Central Valley town of Clovis, California this year. Soroptimist International of Clovis decided to hold

Soroptimists at Work Human Trafficking and the 5P’s

Human Trafficking Conference in California 6 and 7 March Five "P"s to focus on…Prevention, Protection, Prosecution, Partnerships, Policy”- Soroptimists at work! A blog by Dawn Marie Lemonds, SI Director Awareness, Advocacy, and Action continue to be the cornerstone of our mission. Soroptimists in southern California supported the 14th Annual Ensure

Languages Without Borders

Blog by Evelyne Para, SI UN Representative at UNESCO Paris. "On 21 February, all over the world, International Mother Language Day was celebrated. The 2020 theme was 'Languages without borders'. On this occasion, UNESCO organised in Paris a space for reflection and dialogue on the contexts, challenges, and strategies to

The Rise of Homelessness in Ageing Women

SI UN Representatives, Maria Fornella and Frances Zainoeddin report from the Commission for Social Development 58th session (CSocD 58), which was held in New York during 10-19 February 2020. "Soroptimist International organised a side event on 'The Rise of Homelessness in Ageing Women', to discuss the work being done by

What is CEDAW? And how does it work?

SI UN Representative, Berthe De Vos-Neven, provides an insiders look at the history and function of the Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). "CEDAW is a United Nations body which consists of 23 independent experts. These experts monitor the implementation of the Convention of

Amplifying the Voices of Africa’s Young People for the Environment

Report by Mary Muia & Beatrice Oluoch, SI UN Representatives in Nairobi. “Nature-based solutions offer the best way to achieve human well-being, tackle climate change and protect our living planet. Yet nature is in crisis, as we are losing species at a rate 1,000 times greater than at any other

Don’t Talk About Us Without Us: Learning from the True Experts

A blog by SI UN Representative in New York, Maria Fornella-Oehninger, following her attendance at the 58th Session of UN Commission on Social Development: 'Affordable Housing and Social Protection systems for all to address homelessness'. "The United Nations Commission on Social Development has had a very noteworthy 58th session this