Yesterday SIGBI Day of Action, Southern region met near Winchester. Member Helen Porter spoke about her positive experience as a Soroptimist delegate attending UN CSW 67 in New York and highlighted next years theme as being so aligned with SI charitable goals, that of ‘poverty’. This was followed by a passionate and truly humbling presentation by the former Women’s Minister in Afghanistan. A Soroptimist, Hasina outlined the realities in Afghanistan since the Taliban assumed control. The lack of humanity shown and shortages in food, utilities, medicines and water is impacting all but especially women and widows who have no menfolk. Students and girls who have no access to education and those who live in fear following their involvement with peace and international liaison are living in constant distress. Women are dying early due to lack of access to healthcare and medicines. Hasina’s international evacuee links and first hand in country daily communication was outlined. She made an impassioned plea to sister soroptimists, everyone who can and those in power to continue humanitarian aid but to lobby for focused aid in response to reciprocal action by the Taliban and for support to improve life on the ground by direct charitable support.
The Regions PAC officers will be discussing how our SI Global UN voice can enable wider pressure on the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan and change alongside club and individual help.
This UN report issued last week further highlights the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan and this matter is well and truly on our Soroptimists radar.
https://www.ohchr.org/en/stories/2023/07/experts-taliban-treatment-women-may-be-gender-apartheid
The day finished with a lively presentation and practice in letter writing by the cancer focused charity “From Me to You”. Sincere thanks to the talented SISE officers and Kay for their reports on regional progress and arranging the excellent meeting and to St Swithun’s Girls School, Winchester for hosting and feeding us so well.
Margaret and Anne will share the learning and regional reports which coincidentally was held on St Swithun’s Day!.
