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Economic Empowerment
Environmental Sustainability
Food Security and Healthcare
Learning Opportunities
Violence and Conflict Resolution
Educate to Lead for Global Impact
The objective for this Programme area is to “Eliminate violence against women and girls and ensure women’s participation in conflict resolution”. (See the full list of Programme Objectives)
For further information about the Assistant Programme Director for Violence and Conflict Resolution, see the Programme Team Page.
Across the world thousands of Soroptimists marked International Women’s Day with hundreds of activities and events on and around 8 March 2013. Our greatest admiration goes to the women in countries where just gathering like this can put their lives at risk. Activities are organised to mark the economic, political and social achievements of women, and to raise awareness of work still to be done to build a better world for women and girls - for more information see www.internationalwomensday.com .
Here are just a few of the many events that took place:
SI Kodaikanal, india, held a seminar on 14th February 2013, which was attended by around 200 self-help group and tribal leaders.
There were speakers, presentation on Child abuse, and an Interactive session on V day. They joined one billion rising across the world to fight for violence against women. The seminar was run by SI Kodaikanal President Anju Mittal, Dr K Manimekalai, Vice Chancellor of Mother Teresa Women’s University, Mr Mahender Babu, with 12 years experience with the tribals, Mr Rajesh Mani and Mr Annadurai, member of CESC, victim Ms Nagamma and the Sub Inspector Mr Paneer Selvam. The event was hosted at the American University of India Business School.
Soroptimists marching in Bangalore
Following the brutal rape and murder of a young girl in India in Janaury, SIGBI President Pat Black sent this letter on behalf of the members of Soroptimist International Great Britain & Ireland, to the following UK Government Ministers:
A response has been received from Lynne Featherstone
This day is one of the most significant days in the UN’s calendar of events and it is traditionally on 10th December It is the date that the five-yearly UN Prize in the Field of Human Rights and Nobel Peace Prize are awarded. In addition, many activists, charities, government bodies, nongovernmental organisations and grassroots groups working on all aspects of human rights protection and promotion schedule special events in observance of the day.
Soroptimists celebrate Human Rights Day and use it as a day of action! They take action in their local communities on and around December 10th.
This year, the theme is “Every Voice Counts”.
Just two of the hundreds of events worldwide that Soroptimists organised to celebrate Human Rights Day 2012 are shown below:
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SI St Albans and District sung carols at St Albans station and raised £422 for their local women’s refuge |
SI London Chilterns region wore purple for “Stop the Traffik” to kick off the campaign “Taxis Against Trafficking” |
For further information:
“Everyone has the right to be heard and to shape the decisions that affect their community. This right is enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and fully integrated in international law, especially in article 25 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
Over the past century, we have made undeniable progress along the path of inclusion.
Yet far too many groups and individuals face far too many obstacles. Women have the right to vote almost everywhere, but remain hugely under-represented in parliaments and peace processes, in senior government posts and corporate boardrooms, and in other decision-making positions. Indigenous people frequently face discrimination that denies them the opportunity to make full use of their guaranteed rights or fails to take account of their circumstances. Religious and ethnic minorities – as well as people with disabilities or those with a different sexual orientation or political opinion – are often hampered from taking part in key institutions and processes. Institutions and public discourse need to represent societies in all their diversity.
More generally, in several parts of the world, we have seen alarming threats to hard-won gains in democratic governance. In some countries, civil society groups face growing pressures and restrictions. Legislation has been introduced specifically targeting civil society organizations and making it almost impossible for them to operate. Champions of democracy have encountered new confrontational measures. We should all be troubled by such backsliding.
Even in societies with a good track record, there is room for improvement. No country has succeeded in ensuring that all its inhabitants are able to participate fully in public affairs, including the right to be elected to public office and to have equal access to public services. Enacting new rights or removing unjust laws is not always sufficient. Too often, discrimination persists in practice, creating barriers and mindsets that can be hard to overcome.
Vibrant civil society groups are among the keys to the well-being and functioning of any nation, and the United Nations deplores measures taken to suppress them. That is why, on this Human Right Day, the United Nations is highlighting the right to participate and the associated rights that make it possible – freedom of expression and opinion, and peaceful assembly and association.
International law is clear: No matter who you are, or where you live, your voice counts. On this Day, let us unite to defend your right to make it heard.”
Ban Ki-moon
“The education and empowerment of women throughout the world cannot fail to result in a more caring, tolerant, just and peaceful life for all.” Aung San Suu Kyi
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon launchedhis UNiTE to End Violence Campaign in 2008. This Campaign includes a target of raising $100million annually for the UN “Trust Fund in Support of Actions to Eliminate Violence against Women by 2015.” The Fund provides grants to support local, national and worldwide initiatives. The aims of UNiTE are to achieve the following five goals in all countries by 2015:-
The UNiTE campaign proclaims the 25th of the month as Orange Day, aiming to raise awareness about the issue of violence against women and girls, not only once a year on 25 November (the International Day to End Violence against Women), but every month!
What can you do?
On November 20th 2012, the United Nations announced a new initiative called the COMMIT campaign, which asks governments to make national commitments that will be showcased globally, encouraging countries to come up with new policies to protect victims and end violence against women and girls.
Today 125 countries have laws that penalise domestic violence. However, up to seven in 10 women continue to be targeted for physical and/or sexual violence in their lifetime, and 603 million women live in countries where domestic violence is still not a crime.
Michelle Bachelet, Executive Director of the UN Entity for Gender Equity and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) calls on all Heads of State and Governments to make new commitments and take strong national action to protect women and girls. “The world community has already come a long way with national laws, international treaties, and widespread and growing awareness on ending violence against women. But it is not enough. Government promises must be translated into concrete actions, such as providing new safe houses, free hotline services, and free legal and medical aid to survivors. The time for complacency has run out. Together, it is possible to stop the violence against women and girls.”
See the Violence and Conflict Resolution pages
