International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples

9th AUGUST commemorates the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples. It marks the date of the inaugural session of the Working Group on Indigenous Populations at the United Nations in 1982. This year’s theme is Leaving No One Behind: Indigenous peoples and the call for a new social contract.   Who are Indigenous People?

Programme Director’s August 2021 Message

The cost of caring During the last year the difference between ‘the haves’ and ‘the have nots’ has become more apparent to all, and the gap is widening. We cannot allow this to continue whether we consider our own country alone or take the wider world view. Until the world is vaccinated no-one can assume

International Day of Friendship

When I think of Soroptimist, I not only think of women inspiring action but also women inspiring love to transform lives around the globe. And what is serving if not a mix of love and compassion? It is a beautiful experience to give love and kindness while helping those in need but also it is,

President’s July 2021 Message

It is with much sadness that I am writing this in the knowledge that President Johanna is no longer with us. I would like to thank everyone for all their messages of condolence and kind thoughts in support of Johanna’s family and the SIGBI Board. My apologies if inadvertently I have not personally responded. I

Membership Director’s July 2021 Message

In her May blog for Membership Month, Membership Director Chevonne, posed the question, “Why am I a Soroptimist” and I want to continue along this theme. Ladies think back and ask yourself the following: How did I learn about Soroptimist International? Who introduced me? Why did I join? Why do I stay? For some of

Programme Director’s June 2021 Message

Climate and Covid to Collaboration and Consensus Where do you stand on the two most pressing current problems? Are they dependent on each other or are they two separate issues? My own understanding is that they have a lot in common. Climate change is affecting us all in some way – changing local environments such

Programme Director’s April 2021 Message

A momentous two weeks For two weeks towards the end of March some of us traipsed off to New York – virtually, of course! This meant that we had 8 times as many delegates as usual at the annual Commission on the Status of Women (CSW). Those registered only for the NGOCSW parallel events, outside

President’s April 2021 Message

What an amazing two week trip to New York!  The chance to join 25,000 women from around the world to discuss all issues pertaining to Women and Girls.  Normally SIGBI would have had a delegation of 16 but because the whole of the United Nations – Commission on the Status of Women was virtual we