Human Rights Day – 10 December

On 10th December 2023, the world will commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The theme this year is “Dignity, Freedom and Justice for All”. When you consider all the troubles and injustices currently taking place throughout the world, this is such an appropriate theme. 10th December 1948, the United Nations

International Volunteer Day for Economic and Social Development – 5 December 2023

Soroptimists Celebrating the Power of Women Volunteers on International Volunteer Day for Economic and Social Development By Dr Pamala Proverbs We Soroptimists are supreme volunteers. We give our time, talent, and funds to causes that we hold dearly, especially those that are critical to the wellbeing, hopes and dreams of women and girls. It is

Introducing our new President, Ruth Healey

We are pleased to announce that Ruth Healey, SI Surrey Hills, was installed as the new President of Soroptimist International Great Britain and Ireland (SIGBI) on Saturday 4 November 2023 at our Conference in London. The Change of Insignia ceremony was a glittering occasion, where all the incoming Region/National Association and Network Presidents were also

UN International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict – 6 November 2023

The United Nations’ website describes International Days and weeks as occasions to educate the public on issues of concern and to mobilise political will, also to celebrate and reinforce the achievements of humanity. As I write, in October 2023, we have very little to celebrate. With war ongoing in several countries and with the media

Two new Clubs for SIGBI

We are delighted to welcome two new Clubs which have been chartered in October. SI Whitstable and District was chartered on 1 October 2023, and SI Northampton on 7 October 2023. President Cathy was delighted to charter both Clubs. Congratulations to the Clubs and their members.

International Day for the Eradication of Poverty – 17 October 2023

“Building forward together: Ending Persistent Poverty, Respecting all People and our Planet.” SDG1. ‘End poverty in all its forms everywhere’. The International Day for the Eradication of Poverty is observed each year and aims to raise awareness about people living in poverty. According to the World Bank the coronavirus pandemic in 2020 pushed between 88

President’s Message about the Report on Specialist Domestic Abuse Courts

After nearly 5 years and over 4,000 hours of volunteering time the Report on the Special Domestic Abuse Courts has been completed. The report, with recommendations, covers the final tranche of court observations (earlier reports covered our work in Northumbria, Wiltshire, and the Midlands). Specialist Domestic Abuse Courts – How special were they in 2022 (PDF)

Specialist Domestic Abuse Courts – How Special Are They?

In 2017 Dame Vera Baird KC, then the Police and Crime Commissioner for the area, initiated a unique partnership between SIGBI and criminal justice partners in Northumbria. She engaged local Soroptimists in an observation project in which they watched over 220 sessions of the Specialist Domestic Violence Courts (now Specialist Domestic Abuse Courts), answering a