Author: watchthedot
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Soroptimists speak out on women's working conditions after Rana Plaza disaster
Update 10 May: more than 1000 people are now known to have died in the disaster. Soroptimist International President Alice Wells has called on women around the world to take action to prevent future disasters like the collapse of the Rana Plaza building in Dhaka, Bangladesh, last week. Over 500 people died and left more than 2000…
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Diving into a New World: First Impressions of a UN Rep in Geneva
Sabine Kinzer was recently appointed as a UN Representative in Geneva – one of a team of three Soroptimist volunteers who monitor developments and represent SI at the UN Centre, which is home to many UN agencies including the Human Rights Council, UN Refugee Agency, the World Health Organisation, UNAIDS, the International Labour Organisation and UNICEF. Sabine…
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Quality of life, Confidence & Self-Determination: Report on Benefits of SIA Women's Opportunity Awards
A recent study into the Soroptimist Women’s Opportunity Awards by the Fels Institute of Government, a research and consulting organization based at the University of Pennsylvania has shown that when women are educated, it yields a dramatic impact in improving their lives, as well as their families, their community and national economy. The film above shows the impact of receiving an…
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Former SI President appointed Member of the Order of Australia (AM)
Dr Jane Zimmerman, former President of Soroptimist International,will be awarded the Order of Australia Medal, General Division, at a ceremony on Friday May 3, in recognition for her valuable contribution to the community as a Soroptimist. Jane was a charter member of SI George Town, Tasmania (Australia) in 1982 and has served as President of her Region (1994-6), President of the…
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UK Soroptimists work to reduce women's imprisonment
On Thursday April 25, the Soroptimist International UK Programme Action Committee (UKPAC) launched their Action Pack on Reducing Women’s Imprisonment at a reception at the House of Commons in London, attended by the Minister of State for Justice, many MPs and Peers, as well as Soroptimists from around the UK. The joint initiative by UKPAC and Prison Reform Trust aims…
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Birthing in Pacific Update: Improving Maternal Health in Papua New Guinea
Four months on since President Alice Wells launched the Birthing in the Pacific Appeal for a second year, the project is making real progress in improving healthcare for women in Papua New Guinea during pregnancy and childbirth. Since September 2012, Soroptimists have raised $207,871(AUD) to support the project. You can read about how this money…
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Reducing Women's Imprisonment – Launch of Soroptimist Action Pack (UK)
On Thursday April 25, Soroptimist International UK Programme Action Committee (UKPAC) will launch their Action Pack on Reducing Women’s Imprisonment at a reception at the House of Commons in London. This is a joint initiative by UKPAC and Prison Reform Trust to end the unnecessary imprisonment of women in the UK. UKPAC Chair Jan Hemlin will be interviewed…
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UN Crime Commission, Vienna
The 22nd Session of the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (UN Crime Commission) takes place in Vienna, Austria, from 22-26 April. Violence against women and girls is high on the agenda, particularly femicide and human trafficking. President-Elect Ann Garvie and UN Reps for Vienna Roswitha Benesch , Dora Vrdlovec and Martina Gredler will be attending…
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Howl & cry for your father: education & economic independence for a dignified life
Nupur Basu is Programme Action Co-ordinator for SI Calcutta (India). In this week’s blog, she describes a dramatic incident that occurred during a recent maths class, part of the club’s Hold My Hand project to help children from poor families succeed at school. Children from underprivileged backgrounds, living below the poverty line, are often first generation…
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International Day of the Midwife: Birthing in Pacific presentation at virtual conference
To mark International Day of the Midwife on May 5, a free online conference will take place for midwives and anyone else interested in childbirth. At 4pm New Zealand time (click here for your timezone), Soroptimist International South West Pacific will be presenting a session on Birthing in the Pacific, a Soroptimist project to reduce maternal mortality…