Autumn Budget Reaction. Comment provided by Ruth Healey, President at registered women’s charity, Soroptimist International Great Britain & Ireland (SIGBI). “In this week’s historic Autumn Budget delivered by the UK’s first female Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, there was encouraging news for women, but the government must do more to address gender-specific challenges. “Increased spending on essential

Report on the Charter Ceremony of Soroptimist International Kolkata City of Joy Date: 29th September 2024 Venue: The Far Pavilion, Tollygunge Club, Kolkata The Soroptimist International Kolkata City of Joy celebrated its grand charter ceremony on September 29, 2024, at the prestigious The Far Pavililion, Tollygunge Club. The event commenced with the auspicious lighting of

Soroptimist International (SI) Guwahati was chartered on 2nd October 2024 as the 21st SI Club in India, at a ceremony held at the Faculty Senior Secondary School Auditorium, Guwahati. The event, graced by the virtual presence of Ruth Healey, President of Soroptimist International Great Britain & Ireland (SIGBI), marked the inception of this vibrant new

SI Minerva President Reports on their chartering ceremony that was held on Sunday 22nd September in Port Talbot, South Wales. On arrival to the ceremony, Minerva members welcomed guests with a glass of mimosa. Rhian Williams, incoming President Elect was master of ceremonies and gave a warm welcome. SIGBI President Ruth Healey then invited Judith Morgan,

The United Nations’ website describes International Days and weeks as occasions to educate the public on issues of concern and to mobilise political will, also to celebrate and reinforce the achievements of humanity. As I write, in October 2023, we have very little to celebrate.  With war ongoing in several countries and with the media

We are delighted to welcome two new Clubs which have been chartered in October. SI Whitstable and District was chartered on 1 October 2023, and SI Northampton on 7 October 2023. President Cathy was delighted to charter both Clubs. Congratulations to the Clubs and their members.  

After nearly 5 years and over 4,000 hours of volunteering time the Report on the Special Domestic Abuse Courts has been completed. The report, with recommendations, covers the final tranche of court observations (earlier reports covered our work in Northumbria, Wiltshire, and the Midlands). Specialist Domestic Abuse Courts – How special were they in 2022 (PDF)

In 2017 Dame Vera Baird KC, then the Police and Crime Commissioner for the area, initiated a unique partnership between SIGBI and criminal justice partners in Northumbria. She engaged local Soroptimists in an observation project in which they watched over 220 sessions of the Specialist Domestic Violence Courts (now Specialist Domestic Abuse Courts), answering a