2013 Resolution on Raising Awareness of Endometriosis – Barbara Dixon
At the Gateshead Conference in 2013 one of the programme resolutions passed was to raise awareness and advocate early diagnosis of endometriosis. Endometriosis is a common gynaecological condition, affecting an estimated 1 in 10 women of reproductive age in the UK. Diagnosis of the disease is difficult, with the average diagnosis time in the UK being approximately 7 years. Education, careers, prospects, opportunities suffer as a result, with fertility and planning for a family also being compromised. Awareness and early diagnosed are vital to help women affected by the condition be able to take control and make decisions to suit their lives.
Some clubs have successfully raised awareness of the condition, distributing leaflets to their local community, guides and schools. We now have another 12 months to run with this project so if you haven’t had chance to work with this yet there is still time. We heard in Gateshead how debilitating this disease can be so if you can I urge you to contact the endometriosis charities and acquire some leaflets to distribute appropriately.
Resolution on Relationship Education – Janet Hodgson
SI Southend on Sea and SI Chelmsford brought this resolution to the Belfast conference in 2012. Last year in Newcastle we updated you on the progress so far. Since then we are delighted to say that clubs have been working with this resolution in different ways. Across the Federation, several clubs have been helping to educate girls to know what their rights are and what they should not be tolerating.
Education is the key to all progress for women and girls and to harmony in society. It is through schools that girls and boys can learn that any form of violence is wrong.
This is the 2nd time that we have given an update on this resolution and it is not scheduled to appear again, however we would ask that you keep working on this resolution and if and when any more news comes out we will keep you informed either through PAM or via Janet’s page on the website.
Resolution on Modern Day Slavery – Janet Hodgson
Since the Modern Day Slavery (MDS) Resolution was passed at the Gateshead Conference the Steering Group has distributed four newsletters, two questionnaires, designed a logo, printed leaflets and set up a Facebook Group.
This Federation can make and is making an impact. Already Soroptimists in UK have lobbied their parliamentarians and members of their assemblies in support of the Modern Slavery Bill or Human Trafficking (Scotland) Bill.
We are pleased that many clubs are taking action and raising awareness about MDS. Clubs were very active on the Anti-Slavery day (October 18th) in various ways.
There is a Modern Day Slavery Toolkit available on the SIGBI website, this contains:
- An MDS Power Point- a UK Specific version and a non UK Version.
- A leaflet to download already has been used by some clubs.
- A logo.
- An MDS business card suitable engaging men and boys will be made available soon.