World Health Day 2026 – Soroptimist International of Europe

Advancing Women’s Health Through Awareness, Support, and Advocacy

Soroptimist International of Europe Clubs

Across Soroptimist International of Europe, clubs are addressing women’s health through a combination of awareness, psychological support, and advocacy, reflecting a shared understanding that health underpins wider empowerment. While each initiative responds to a different need, together they show how local action can improve both individual wellbeing and broader health outcomes.

Soroptimist Union of Türkiye

In Türkiye, Soroptimists have focused on raising awareness of endometriosis, a condition that remains widely misunderstood and often undiagnosed. Through a series of seminars delivered in partnership with medical experts, the “About Endometriosis” initiative has provided clear and accessible information on symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment. For many participants, these sessions offered a first opportunity to recognise potential signs and consider seeking medical advice, highlighting the value of informed awareness in improving early diagnosis.

SI Club of Wroclaw, Poland

In Poland, the Soroptimist Club of Wrocław has taken a different approach, focusing on mental health and wellbeing among Ukrainian women displaced by conflict. Through a series of group sessions and workshops, the project created a supportive space for participants to address trauma, rebuild confidence, and develop practical tools for adapting to new circumstances. By combining psychological support with personal development, the initiative has helped women regain a sense of stability and direction.

SI Club of Volos, Greece

In Greece, the Soroptimist Club of Volos has worked to encourage more open discussion around women’s health.

The initiative took place on 10 April 2024 in Volos, Greece, bringing together women of different ages to learn more about the importance of recognising and addressing health concerns early. Many women experience symptoms or discomfort that they consider normal or unavoidable, often delaying medical consultation. The event aimed to change this mindset by encouraging women to listen to their bodies, speak openly about their health and seek professional advice when necessary.

To deliver expert guidance, the Soroptimists of Volos partnered with Women’s Health First (WHF), a scientific association of female gynaecologists in Greece dedicated to promoting women’s health and supporting female patients throughout their lives. Four volunteer gynaecologists participated in the event, delivering informative presentations covering key aspects of women’s health, from adolescence to later life. Their talks highlighted the importance of early diagnosis, regular medical check-ups and awareness of symptoms that should not be ignored.

The event attracted around 120 women, who attended the lectures and engaged in discussions with the speakers. The Soroptimists of Volos promoted the initiative widely through local media, social networks and personal invitations, ensuring strong community participation. The Park Hotel of Volos supported the project by providing a conference room free of charge, enabling the event to be organised with minimal financial resources. 

Soroptimist Union of Italy

Medical research and healthcare systems have historically been built around the male body, leaving women underrepresented and underdiagnosed. Globally, women account for only around 41.2 % of participants in clinical trials, particularly in areas like cardiology and cancer. In response, the Italian Soroptimists launched CurarSI, an advocacy-led project throughout 2024 to confront gender inequities in healthcare.

This initiative addressed the fact that women often prioritise caregiving over their own health and that diagnostic tools and treatments are still largely based on male data. CurarSI began with a national conference in Milan in May, co-organised with Lombardy Region and Fondazione Onda. Spearheaded by regional officials and healthcare experts, this event became a pivotal moment, making gender medicine a national priority.

Advocacy lay at the heart of CurarSI. Italian Soroptimists forged strong alliances with medical institutions, scientific associations, and volunteer organisations. They promoted a new model of healthcare tailored to women’s needs by:

• Mobilising 70 Soroptimist Clubs across Italy to organise health screenings, conferences, and campaigns focused on women’s diseases, such as breast cancer, cardiovascular conditions, and osteoporosis.
• Conducting free screenings, including innovative radiation-free bone density tests (R.E.M.S.), to directly address prevention gaps.
• Hosting “pink walks” and educational events that empowered communities with knowledge about women-specific health risks and healthy lifestyles.

In total, CurarSI reached over 1,000 women through screening and over 20,000 individuals via outreach activities. It also fostered a new regional alliance against cardiomyopathies and deepened collaboration with Local Health Authorities.

The project combined practical interventions with cultural transformation, shifting public discourse and policy. With its high media profile, grassroots energy, and institutional partnerships, CurarSI reinforced Soroptimist’s standing in both local and national health policy arenas.