Soroptimist International at the United Nations
Soroptimist International (SI) has been a recognised voice for women and girls at the United Nations since 1984, holding General Consultative Status with the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) in New York, Geneva and Vienna.
This is the highest level of accreditation an NGO can achieve. In 2025, only 132 out of 6,616 NGOs worldwide held General Status — and SI was one of just 13 organisations focused specifically on women’s rights and gender equality to do so.
This status gives SI a powerful platform: access to UN bodies, human‑rights mechanisms, major conferences, special events, and the ability to submit statements, contribute expertise, and share best practice directly into global policy discussions.
Active Engagement in Global Networks
Soroptimist International is also an active member of several international NGO networks at UN centres. Through its dedicated SI UN Representatives, the organisation contributes to platforms such as NGO CSW, ensuring that the voices, needs, and experiences of women and girls are consistently brought forward in global decision‑making.
Other Accreditations
Beyond ECOSOC, Soroptimist International also holds consultative or accredited status with several other UN agencies and international bodies, strengthening its reach and influence:
Consultative Status
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
Accredited With
United Nations Department of Global Communications (UNDGC)
Special List Status
International Labour Organization (ILO)
Recognised By
Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), with Liaison Status in Rome
Accredited Through ECOSOC
United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC)
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)
Commonwealth Accreditation
Accredited with The Commonwealth
Member of the Independent Forum of Commonwealth Organisations (IFCO)
Strategic Partnerships
SI strengthens its advocacy through formal partnerships with organisations driving global equality and social justice:
Signed Partnerships
Social Justice Coalition – ILO
Equal Pay International Coalition (EPIC) – ILO
EQUALS Global Partnership – International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
Memoranda of Understanding
Commonwealth Business Women’s Network (CBWN)
Women for Water Partnership (WfWP)
Every Woman
Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), New York
As a result of the consultative status to the UN, Soroptimist International sends a delegation of members to the CSW in March each year. Any Soroptimist is able to apply to be part of the delegation, a group which numbers over 100 and forms the largest single delegation to the congress.