{"id":5102,"date":"2022-03-10T23:27:29","date_gmt":"2022-03-10T22:27:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sigbi.org\/harrogate\/?p=5102"},"modified":"2022-03-11T11:30:12","modified_gmt":"2022-03-11T10:30:12","slug":"club-launches-toilet-twinning-project-on-international-womens-day","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sigbi.org\/harrogate\/2022\/03\/10\/club-launches-toilet-twinning-project-on-international-womens-day\/","title":{"rendered":"Club launches Toilet Twinning Project on International Women’s Day"},"content":{"rendered":"

SI Harrogate and District celebrated International Women\u2019s Day<\/a> by launching their Toilet Twinning Project – aiming to become the first District in the country to become twinned. President Val Hills and members welcomed the Chairman of North Yorkshire County Council, Cllr Stuart Martin and his wife April. Also the Mayor and Mayoress \u00a0of Harrogate Borough, Cllr Trevor and Jan Chapman and the Mayor of Pateley Bridge, \u00a0Cllr Mike Holt. We are pleased \u00a0other local Councillors including the nominated \u00a0Mayor of Harrogate Borough for 2022-23 \u00a0Cllr. Victoria Oldham and \u00a0representatives from local schools, community groups and businesses were present. We were delighted to \u00a0also welcome Lindsay Green, President of Soroptimist International of Yorkshire <\/a><\/p>\n

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#BreaktheBias – International Women’s Day<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Internationaal Women’s Day<\/h3>\n

President Val Hills spoke about why International Women’s Day is so important and\u00a0The 8th<\/sup> March – a day chosen 110 yrs. ago to celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity.\u00a0Working together to \u2018Break the Bias\u201d<\/p>\n

Soroptimist International<\/a>\u2019s\u00a0 key objective is to improve the lives of women and girls. Locally and Globally. Our organisation, founded in 1921 has a long history of supporting women and children across the world. We want to ensure women and girls get access to education, are empowered and enabled to reach their potential. Locally we support Dementia Forward<\/a> and our Local Food Banks<\/a> including the innovative Resurrection Bites<\/a>. Toilet Twinning is the Clubs main international project<\/p>\n

Toilet Twinning<\/a><\/h3>\n

So why did we choose Harrogate District attainment of Toilet Twinned District status as our international\u00a0 project? \u00a0Nearly 25% of the world\u2019s populations doesn\u2019t have access to a toilet or clean water. Having to use \u2018the bush\u2019 puts women and girls in even more jeopardy. \u00a0Not only from wild animals but also in fear of sexual assault or even murder. Lack of toilets at schools means that some girls stay away from school or cease school all together when they start having periods. We hope such a project will raise awareness about the issues faced by a quarter of mankind and encourage local people to take action.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Flushing Away Poverty One Toilet at a Time<\/h4>\n

Toilet Twinning is a great way \u2018one toilet at a time\u2019 to work with communities to provide a safe place to go to the toilet and ensure safe drinking water. It empowers communities to help themselves as well as providing education regarding safe drinking water. Therefore enabling all to have a healthier life, reach their potential and help eradicate poverty.<\/p>\n

Presentations<\/h3>\n

We heard first hand from Michelle from Toilet Twinning. She gave us an insight into how Toilet Twinning works. \u00a0The emphasis is on Toilets, Taps and Training. To empower and enable communities to have access to clean drinking water; \u00a0recognise the importance of hand hygiene in reducing disease and; \u00a0a safe and secure place to go to the toilet.<\/p>\n

Eva from Soroptimist International of Sheffield spoke about how her Club successfully worked with organisations in Sheffield to achieve Toilet Twinning Status for Sheffield City. The key \u00a0factor is to engage with local organisations including the local council, MPs, schools, churches and the media.<\/p>\n

Sue Williams provided practical information about how this relates to Club and how we hope to work with organisations to meet the thirty Toilet Twinned Toilet s required \u00a0for Harrogate District to become awarded Toilet Twinning status.<\/p>\n

Heather shared her experience of visiting the loo at night in a remote area of Nepal and also made us laugh when she realised what she thought was the toilet was \u00a0fact a hut full \u00a0of goats! o<\/p>\n