Soroptimists are a SOCIAL group for WOMEN with a SOCIAL CONSCIENCEOur Campaign / Event
We are taking part in the international UN campaign of 16 Days of Activism to end Violence against Women and Girls – 25th November to 10th December 2024. Internationally, ‘Orange’ is the colour theme for this campaign and we are aiming over the 16 Days to highlight the impact of Violence against Women and Girls both locally and nationally in the UK by holding a number of ‘Orange’ events here in Kenilworth. The global theme this year is Prevention.
Background Information
Violence against women and girls means any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or private life.
Domestic Abuse – The Crime Survey for England and Wales estimates that there are 2.3 million victims of domestic abuse each year of which two thirds are women. Between 2 and 3 women a week are killed by a current or former partner in the UK.
The police recorded 1.5 million domestic abuse-related incidents and crimes in England and Wales in the year ending March 2022. The number of domestic abuse-related crimes increased by 7.7% compared to the previous year.
The UN states that globally 81,000 women and girls were killed in 2020 (58% at the hands of an intimate partner or family member, which equates to a woman or girl killed every 11 minutes in their home.
Sexual Assaults and Harassment – Crime Survey for England and Wales estimate that 798,000 women experienced sexual assault in the year ending 2022. This equates to a prevalence rate of 3.3% of women.
90% of girls in senior schools in England and Wales reported to OFSTED that they had experienced sexual harassment or unwanted sexual touching by peers in school
On-Line Abuse & Harassment – 1 in 3 women in the UK report that they have experienced on-line abuse or harassment on social media or elsewhere on-line. The On-line Safety Bill is going through the House of Lords at present
Harassment in Public Places – 80% women in the UK report experiencing harassment in public places (Susy Lamplugh Trust). Tackling the prevalence of unwanted and aggressive behaviours such as harassment that underlie the broader cycle of violence against women and girls is a key priority.
Rape – Nearly 1 in 5 women have experienced completed or attempted rape during her lifetime.
Female Genital Mutilation – FGM is still taking place in this country and others throughout the world. FGM violates all child rights and is rooted in gender inequality.
Human Trafficking & Modern Slavery – is a transnational activity that involves the exploitation of humans through sale, more than half are women and girls. Trafficking and slavery of women and girls is prevalent in almost all countries including the UK and accounts for the fastest growing business in the world.
Violence against women with Disabilities – Disabled women and girls are more likely to be subjected to violence than non-disabled women and girls. Accessing justice and support and protection services is often impossible for women with disabilities because of accessibility, legal and other barriers.
Child Marriage – Child marriage is often the result of deeply entrenched gender inequalities. Child marriage threatens the lives, the well-being and the future of girls. Soroptimists fight against this violation of child rights and for the education of girls so that they develop their full potential
Sexual Harassment at Work – At work places, sexual harassment and often sexual coercion has intensified as women make progress to the top. Women are targeted for their gender and for progressive roles they have adopted.
SIGBI 16 Days of Activism
Something to celebrate
Our four friends and Club members were awarded their long service certificates at October’s meeting – Ann Pitt and Trish Bennett for 25 years, Georgie Larson-Archer for 35 years and Anne Jones for 40 years. As Amanda Jones, our joint president, said, as she made the presentations, these are all women of great kindness and we paused to reflect on all the many many women who will have benefitted from the work of these four. It is really remarkable to think about this and we were all proud to celebrate with our sisters in Soroptimism.
What did you do on your holidays?
Our resourceful sister Sharon is presently in Madagascar. In the midst of her holiday preparations, she decided she couldn’t fly away from life here in Kenilworth without taking something to people who have so much less than we do.
Here’s the message Sharon posted. Aren’t these wonderful pictures of the children and staff at the children’s home Akany Avoko Ambohidratrimo Bevalala Ofisialy with the toiletries she took , provided by SI Kenilworth and District.
Sharon Whatsapped:
“So proud to be a member of this fantastic sisterhood. At v. short notice (lack of planning on my part didn’t constitute an emergency for them) I bought enough toiletries to fill a very large bag(12kg) to take to a children’s home here in Madagascar. It was truly humbling to see how grateful they were for items we take for granted.”
As always we are proud of Sharon, one remarkable woman and exemplary Soroptimist.