2014-2015 is Hilary’s last year as SI Programme Director, so she starting by thanking SIGBI Clubs for the privilege of holding the post over the past few years, and for all the support she has received from the Clubs and Members. She also praised the fantastic work done by our Clubs to support the SI Programme Focus.
The new focus of SI is on Education and Leadership, and SIGBI clubs have been working extremely hard in these areas. From the Adult Literacy Programme run by SI Bombay Chembur in India to providing books for a Women’s Resource Centre in Barbados, and ensuring girls’ participation in a school’s sports day by SI Apapa, Nigeria, Clubs have covered the full spectrum of improving education opportunities for women and girls. SI Barnstaple (UK) and SI Bulawayo (Zimbabwe) have a joint project “Knickers for Knowledge” providing underwear and sanitary protection for girls so that they can attend school, and SI Pretoria (South Africa) provide uniforms to girls.
Violence against women and girls has also been a focus for Clubs. SI Selby, UK, produced helpline cards for domestic violence, rape crisis and sexual help services, which could be given to women and girls and discreetly tucked away in their handbags for reference. SI San Fernando, Trinidad and Tobago, ran a programme to protect girls from cyber-bullying.
On the global stage, SIGBI take part in CSW each year and were also involved in the Global Summit to End Sexual Violence in Conflict in London in June 2014.
Leadership is also on the Soroptimist agenda, and SIGBI Clubs’ work in this area include the joint North/South Ireland public speaking competition for girls, and “Bead to Lead”, a project by SI Bangalore (India) to teach women crafting skills to enable them to earn an income to support their families.
SIGBI’s The BIG Project, which is coming to the end of its three year duration, has succeeded in renovating maternity wards in hospitals in The Gambia. Over £120,000 was raised by SIGBI for this project.
SIGBI has set itself challenges to improve toilet facilities in schools and improve Women’s Rights, and Clubs have risen to the challenges. SI’s Strategic Plan has four simple goals:
Soroptimists will ensure that women and girls. . .
- Enjoy equity and equality
- Live in safe and healthy environments
- Have access to education
- Have leadership and practical skills
Hilary then explained why completing programme focus reports on the online database is so important, and the resources available to members to help them with their work. She ended her report by stressing the importance of the Post 2015 agenda, and maintaining SI and SIGBI’s ECOSOC status at the UN. SI needs to perform practical and active programme action, not just fundraising. Hilary reminded the members that THEY are SI’s most valuable resource.
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world. Indeed it is the only thing that ever does” – Margaret Mead
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Hilary Ratcliffe is Soroptimist International Programme Director 2011-2015. She has been a member of SI St Albans and District since 1982, and was awarded an OBE in the 2014 Queen’s Birthday Honours List for “services to gender equality overseas”.