b'advocacybeverly BucurThe United Nations (UN) was established following World War II to prevent future wars. On 25 June 1945, the UN Charter was adopted and2021 was the second year that COVID-19 halted later that year the UN began operations. The UNsor cut down the number of attendees allowed objectives are to maintain peace and security,to participate at in-person UN meetings. The protect human rights, promote sustainableUN and non-governmental organisations development, uphold international law, and(NGOs), adapted by providing increased virtual deliver humanitarian aid. These objectives remainopportunities. This did, however, limit access to relevant to the work that Soroptimists do in theirmember states and UN personnel.communities and throughout the world today. The pandemic pushed back gains made in Present at the UN from its conception in 1948,achieving gender equality, and gender-based the Soroptimist Association received consultativeviolence. Domestic violence in particular saw a status with UNESCO. Two years later, Soroptimistlarge increase of cases. Schools closed, leading International (SI) was awarded Consultative Cto more cases of early, child and forced marriage, status by the United Nations Economic andand harmful traditional practices. Women Social Council (ECOSOC) and, in 1984 waswere left unable to access healthcare, whilst granted Category 1 status with ECOSOC. Generaleconomies and livelihoods were destroyed Consultative Status is the highest status andeepening poverty and inequalities. Our UN organisation can receive.Representatives worked hard to generateIn 2021, SI had a team of 21 UN Representativesawareness of these issues and advocate for policy serving at the UN Headquarters in New York;changes to improve the situation of women and United Nations Office in Geneva; United Nationsgirls in all their diversity. Office in Vienna; United Nations EnvironmentalThe Secretary Generals Report of 2021, Our Program in Nairobi; UNESCO in Paris; The FoodCommon Agenda, details the precarious and Agriculture Organization in Rome; and Thesituation the world is in today, including the Economic and Social Commission for Asia-Pacificchallenges of conflict, climate change, poverty, Region. The work of SIs UN Representativesdiscrimination, and violence, denying many the focuses on advancing the 2030 Agenda,necessities of life such as food, water, housing, specifically the Sustainable Development Goalsand medical care. Antnio Guterres called on (SDGs).nations to work together for people and the planet, by accelerating the implementation of existing agreements, including the SDGs. soroptimistinternational.org 9'