The Infusion Physical Theatre invited us to a share their new work-in-progress. Infusion is crafting a thought-provoking new show, looking into the modern day problem of human trafficking for sexual exploitation, to challenge thoughts and attitudes of the male sex-ego, to bring humanity and dignity to the victims on the street and on the other side of the webcam. Through dance, physical theatre, innovative lighting, and original music Infusion is crafting a 3D experience for all viewers examining what happens when the attitudes of capitalism and desire meet poverty and desperation. But can these attitudes change? And how can we get there? The group gave their performance to the invited audience – representatives from schools, colleges, Cambridge Council and others (SI was mentioned) – as work in progress. Infusion Theatre sought feedback about the content as well as the actual performance, and how they should take it

Cambridge Soroptimists are giving their support to women rescued from human trafficking in a very practical way. A collection of nearly a hundred bras is on its way to Mozambique, San Salvador and Uganda where they will be sold by women who are now re-building their lives and need an income. This is the club’s latest action to raise awareness of human trafficking locally as well. Cambridge City Council agreed to display posters in all its 100 public lavatories and taxi drivers have been supplied with sticker alerts in their cabs.

A presentation on the roles women played during World War One and how they were portrayed has been one of the highlights of the Club’s year of meetings. Complete with a range of WW1 artefacts, Alison Giles, learning officer at the Imperial War Museum at Duxford explained how women took on jobs vacated by men at the Front but also carved out recognition in munition factories, as drivers, pilots and nurses. She showed gas masks, helmets, nurse uniforms, and an exceedingly heavy shell. But arguably the most dangerous “weapon” was barbed wire. Alison, who is the Club’s newest member, discussed propaganda, including attempts to limit the recognition of women’s efforts and to demonise the enemy’s nurses. Pictures show the wide range of WW1 memorabilia and Alison holds a 18 inch section of barbed wire.

Cambridge Soroptimists joined police and other organisations at an anti-slavery summit aimed at raising awareness among villagers in South Cambridgeshire. They were told there could be 13,000 people kept in appalling conditions and forced to work in fear in the UK. More than 80 delegates were told that action under Modern Day Slavery laws revealed people working in farms, car washes, domestic service and the sex trade. During the past twelve months, Cambridge Soroptimists have raised awareness of MDS by asking the City Council to display posters aimed at trafficked women in 100 ladies toilets and distributed stickers to more than 200 cab drivers. Club members have partnered with Purple Teardrop and “Stop the Traffick” campaigns and are finding new ways to reach trafficked women and girls with leaflets.

Seven members of a world-wide women’s organisation from Cambridgeshire joined more than a thousand delegates at our conference attended by HRH Princess Anne in Glasgow in November. They belong to Soroptimist International which has more than 80 thousand members volunteering in 134 countries. They also help shape policies advancing the progress of women at the United Nations. The elimination of all kinds of violence to women, the education of women and girls and the provision of clean water and sanitation are among the organisation’s chief concerns. Princess Anne received a £4,000 cheque towards the work of Save the Children which is currently appealing for funds to support refugee children in camps around Syria. Soroptimist clubs around the UK have donated food, tents, blankets and toiletries to families fleeing into Europe and some are preparing packs of clothes and toys for women and children who will

Violence Against Women – Stop It Now!  Cambridge Soroptimists have put the finishing touches to a 25 feet long banner of paper hands supporting the elimination of violence against women. More on the White Ribbon Page

Cambridge Soroptimists have been told by the county’s new deputy Police and Crime Commissioner, Brian Ashton that responding to domestic abuse remains high on the policing agenda.  

Cambridge members were joined by Soroptimists from all over East Anglia to dance out our message for International Women’s Day at Silver Street Bridge on Saturday 8 March. We’re asking our Government to urge other countries to give all the girls in the world an education Forty million girls in poorer countries of the world don’t get a full education which makes them more susceptible to poverty, pregnancy and violence.  We are asking our local MP’s to support the move. Young dancers from the Stagecoach Cambridge School led the performance by spelling out phrases like, Let Us Learn, Teach Us and See Us Grow.  Education is a key focus for Soroptimists world-wide. And as a practical step, Soroptimists are collecting hundreds of books for a charity to send directly to schools in South Africa. View our video of the Event on the Bridge    

A joint campaign by Soroptimists in Britain and the Prison Reform Trust aims to reduce our female population in jails and provide much more community support to keep them out of trouble. We have been tasked with collecting local information to support the case for dealing with women offenders in a more humane and cost effective way. To read more click here

Cambridge Soroptimists are helping young women residents at Whitworth House to build up their culinary skills by providing cookery lesson in their kitchen.  Members are sponsoring professional demonstrations by expert Rose Juhl who teaches in the Saffron Walden area.