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Empowering Women Through Lifelong Learning

A Global UN Initiative Embraced by Soroptimist International GB & Ireland

On January 24th each year, the global community comes together to recognise the United Nations’ International Day of Education, celebrating the vital role that education plays in empowering individuals, fostering equality and driving sustainable development. For Soroptimists, this day highlights importance of accessible, quality education for all, especially women and girls, who often face barriers to educational opportunities.

Soroptimists have long championed education as a transformative tool for social change. Through our global network, we advance the rights of women and girls by promoting access to education, eliminating gender-based discrimination and addressing the root causes preventing girls from attending school. From local mentoring programs to global advocacy for educational equity, Soroptimists have continually championed the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 4: ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all.

Lifelong Learning: A Pathway to Empowerment

Across our clubs, SIGBI has launched numerous initiatives aimed at equipping women and girls with the tools to build and rebuild disrupted educational paths. From vocational training to financial literacy, these programmes address barriers posed by conflict, poverty, and socio-economic challenges.

Example Projects Across our Federation

Public Speaking Competitions aim to develop confidence, critical thinking, and public speaking skills among young women.

  • SI King’s Lynn: Hosted a Year 6 competition in primary schools with topics based on Soroptimist values, judged by educators and local officials.
  • Soroptimist clubs in Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland have been facilitating public speaking competitions for over 43 years, winning Best Practice Awards for their work.
  • SI Croydon: Organized the “Loud & Proud” competition for Year 6 students, with topics ranging from sports to climate change.

Literacy and Creative Education enhance literacy among children with special needs and raise environmental awareness.

  • SI Barnstaple: Conducted a literacy competition tied to themes like environmental conservation.
  • Vocational Training equips women with practical skills for self-sufficiency and economic independence.
  • SI Manchester: Organized sewing workshops for women in refuges.
  • SI Cockermouth: Funded sewing courses in Nepal for disadvantaged rural women.
  • SI Chester: Recycled fabrics into projects like tote bags.

STEM and STEAM Initiatives address gender disparities in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) fields.

  • SI Bournemouth: Launched a challenge for secondary school girls to design products benefiting underprivileged communities. The program has inspired participants to pursue STEM careers.

Scholarship Programmes through our charity the Diamond Education Grant provided £28,000 in scholarships in 2023-2024 to support women aged 27-61 in further education or new career paths. Read more here.

Cookery Classes, Financial and IT Literacy foster independence through essential skills:

  • SI Rhyl and District: Offered slow-cooker classes for women at a women’s centre.
  • SI Lisburn and District: Established a Foodbank Cookery School to teach basic cooking skills.
  • SI Leh, India: Basic banking and literacy classes for women.
  • SI Bombay Chembur: Taught internet usage and cybercrime awareness to slum community women.

Professional Leadership Training

  • SI Chaguanas: Hosted leadership workshops for young professional women.