Lobbying and Raising Awareness

Our Voice is Our Strength – Advocacy matters!

We support our National and International groups in lobbying to change unfair laws.

Soroptimist International has representatives to the major UN centres in New York, Geneva and Vienna.

UK Soroptimists have established a reputation for taking action on a broad range of topics and successfully lobbying the British government in the pursuit of those objectives.

Recent activity has been -

Violence Against Women – Stop it Now

Soroptimist International was requested to check on local facilities and check the accuracy of a consultation document – End Violence Against Women Map of Gaps – The postcode lottery of Violence Against Women support services in Britain.

The Cambridge Club obtained from the local authorities within the Club area copies of their “Domestic Violence Directory” and passed this information to UKPAC who were co-ordinating this task.

Cambridge Rape Crisis Centre

The Cambridge Club invited a volunteer at the Cambridge Rape Crisis Centre to a meeting and heard about the ethos and philosophy of the Centre, how they support women victims of violence, including attending court proceedings with them. The Centre trains the volunteers and provides professional counsellors to support the volunteer. The Centre works closely with the police, local authorities and other agencies dealing with vulnerable women in Cambridge and tries to influence policy change and supports various campaigns such as the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war, sexual trafficking etc.

Trafficking

• Medaille Trust - The Club invited a speaker from this organisation which works with women, children and young men who have been freed from sex-trafficking. A very thought provoking video and information explained what happens to the women and children we read about in those media reports on breaking up trafficking rings and closing brothels.    .
• UNIFEM and UNICEF – One of the most serious challenges facing human rights today is the crime of human trafficking and its various dimensions, including organized crime, prostitution, security, migration, labour and health. Club members receive E-Newsletters and by signing on-line petitions show their support for the work of these organisations.

Fairtrade

By buying Fairtrade goods and raising awareness of Fairtrade, we are helping to support the 7.5 million people – farmers, workers and their families – across 59 developing countries who benefit from the International Fairtrade system.

During Fairtrade fortnight (March) the Club will invite speakers from Fairtrade organisations and sample Fairtrade goods, often having a Fairtrade stall so members can purchase items.

Green Agenda

Members are interested and concerned about environmental issues and have lobbied the Government about many issues including recycling facilities, the Sustainable Communities Bill, the impact of developments.