Opening Doors to a Bright Future

‘Opening Doors to a Bright Future’, is the Soroptimist International (SI) President’s Appeal, 2021-2023, officially launched on 1 October 2021. Headed by SI President, Maureen Maguire, the Appeal, now part of the broader, recently established Soroptimist International Foundation, unites Soroptimists, Clubs, Unions and the five Federations, with the aim of delivering tangible benefits to some of the world’s most marginalised women, girls, and their communities. With plans to establish Appeal projects in each of the five Soroptimist Federations, projects are already taking place in Cambodia and Uganda.

Opening Doors to a Bright Future’ underlines the Soroptimist commitment to Education throughout the life-course, and its immense power and fundamental role as a driver for sustainable development, peace, and equality. Investing in girls’ education brings high rewards, breaking cycles of poverty and aiding economic growth. Education empowers women, girls, and their communities, delivering skills and knowledge, whilst increasing confidence; enabling women and girls to make informed decisions affecting future wellbeing, health, participation, and quality of life.

Objectives

Provide access to education in all its forms for disadvantaged and marginalised women and girls.

Provide education to women and girls in a safe, friendly, and stimulating environment where there is equality of opportunity and support for all.

Develop mentoring programmes that encourage confidence, self-esteem and increase the participation of women and girls in society and in decision-making.

Increase access to information, educational resources, and services, to empower women and girls to make informed life-choices.

SI President Maureen Maguire explains: 

“Education is the tool to tackle multiple barriers faced by women and girls today. Prior to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, progress was visible in the delivery of quality education around the world, however, the past 17 months, has taken a toll, with UNICEF estimating 156 million children and young people are out of school. Of these, six out of 10 have no access to basic literacy and numeracy.

Estimates further suggest 750 million adults are illiterate, with many living in poverty, facing marginalisation, and disadvantage. Inequitable access to educational resources and learning is exacerbated by the digital divide, and as such, opening the door to education is an essential goal in each of our Appeal projects. This criterion will allow us to meet our proposed, measurable objectives, driving real change and lasting impact to families, and the local and broader communities where we work”.

Human Rights for a Bright Future

Watch the Webinar ‘Human Rights for a Bright Future’ to find out about all the projects of the SI President’s Appeal and hear from our guest speakers.

Click on the links to download the Power Points from the ‘Human Rights for a Bright Future’ Webinar.

⇒ CCDO HERE

⇒ Rose Academies HERE

⇒ World Vision Georgia HERE

Our Projects

CCDO Annual Report; A 12-month update from Cambodia

It has now been a full year since the first project of the SI President’s Appeal 2021 – 2023, ‘Opening Doors to a Bright Future’, launched in Cambodia.  Working in partnership with the Cambodia Community Dream Organisation (CCDO), and focusing specifically on ‘Education and Learning throughout the life course’, this

SI Presidents Appeal and Georgia – Off To a Great Start!

Since the beginning of October 2022, Soroptimist International and World Vision Georgia (WVG) have been in collaboration with one another as part of the SI President’s Appeal 2021 – 2023, ‘Opening Doors to a Bright Future’. This project, which will run until 31 May 2023, will see improvements to the

Soroptimist International President’s Appeal – Cambodia Impact Story

In recognition of the progress and impact achieved as part of 'Opening Doors to a Bright Future' over the last year, SI President Maureen Maguire would like to welcome as many Soroptimists as possible to join us on 10 December, Human Rights Day, at 11:00AM (GMT), for a webinar event

World Vision Georgia

Opening Doors to a Bright Future’ announces collaboration with World Vision Georgia Beginning in early October 2022, the World Vision Georgia and SI President’s Appeal project will run until 31 May 2023, empowering women and girls by improving life skills and employability. A national study on violence against women conducted

Support the President's Appeal

Share the Social Media Resources for “Opening Doors to a Bright Future” through your own channels available on the SIHQ Trello Board HERE

Plan a fundraiser to raise funds and drive awareness of the power of Education

Share the stories from our website

Purchase the ‘Opening Doors to a Bright Future’ pin

Get in touch with your thoughts, questions, fundraising photographs and video clips – we would love to see and hear your stories!

Email the SI Presidents Appeal team: president.appeal@soroptimistinternational.org

Donations for the NEW 2021-2023 President’s Appeal “Opening Doors to a Bright Future” can be made now. Member donations to the SI President’s Appeal will be transferred to the Soroptimist International Foundation (registered in England and Wales 1194895), which has been set up to maximise opportunities for SI’s work around the world.

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