A Decade of Progress and Challenges – 12 February 2025 The International Day of Women and Girls in Science (IDWGS), observed annually on 11 February, marks a crucial moment to reflect on the progress made towards gender equality in science and to reaffirm commitments to breaking down the barriers that still exist. Established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2015, IDWGS highlights the persistent gender gap in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) and the urgent need to ensure full and equal participation for women and girls in these fields. Despite significant advancements in education and professional opportunities, women remain underrepresented in scientific research, leadership, and innovation. Soroptimists around the world enable, educate and empower girls and women in science, innovation and technology at local and federation level. This recent report summates the successes. Shortly at CSW69 in Beijing our global impact and outcome
Local soroptimists are so thrilled to be invited to help judge the Cobham Free School 2025 Science Competition and to sponsor the three tiers of prizes for students excelling in translating their scientific methodology learning into practice. We are so very excited to have help from The Head of Science at @CobhamFreeSchool in preparing our judges. After involvement with launching the British Science Week Poster Competition in 2024 and awarding year end Soroptimist STEM STAR prizes to girls excelling in Science, Maths and IT subjects we are really looking forward to chatting on the day, examining the displays and meeting students and parents on March 13th.
SI Weybridge & District soroptimists hosted a Year Group assembly on April 17th at Cobham Free School. This followed a successful launch of the British Science Week Poster Competition with the science teaching team during a February assembly. The SI #STEM team presented Soroptimist #STEMSTAR certificates and Amazon vouchers to 5 winning poster artists and 3 excellent runners up. The winners in Years 7,8 and 9 created posters presenting research information on “the impact of women over time on science and technology”. With so many excellent posters submitted by boys and girls (all created in a short time), judging was fierce and intense. CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THOSE WHO WENT THE EXTRA MILE TO ENTER! Standards as you can see were very high. The top 5 posters were submitted to the national #BSW competition; now we all eagerly await the news of the results. This #soroptimist
ECHOES OF OPPRESSION: WOMEN’S FIGHT FOR RIGHTS UNDER THE TALIBAN POLICY BRIEF, #IWD 8th MARCH 2024 Today’s #IWD Policy Brief evaluates the Taliban’s suppression of human rights in Afghanistan, focusing on its impact on women and girls. It draws on literature reviews and first hand accounts from Afghan women across eight geographical zones, as well as insights from human rights experts both within and outside the country, to analyse the challenges posed by the Taliban’s regime. As mankind globally celebrate progress and success for women and girls, this important brief created from literature review and first hand in country reports gives clear insights and recommendations for action. Soroptimists are keen to disseminate this information on International Women’s Day, please share, tag your MPs, send it to Ministers, commend it to your friends and family and anyone who can focus effort on enabling change and influencing
Careers Fair in School Several hundred secondary school pupils attended a lively careers fair held at Heathside School Weybridge yesterday, March 4th. Weybridge based women soroptimists on the Girl STEMSTAR Working Party presented information from a number of education sources relating to study choices, post 16 GCSE study routes and a careers to boys and girls aged 11-18. The school’s timing was perfect with the event taking place during National Careers Week (4-9th March) and just ahead of British Science Week (8-17th March). National Careers Week is an annual event focused on helping students decide on career options as part of their pathway through subject choices and route of qualification. Government and business investment in apprenticeships from age 16 upwards to adult learning is at an all time high. There are resources for adults, parents, students and sponsors including Nat West and others provide access
The Weybridge and District STEM Team members are so appreciative of the positive welcome given at Cobham Free School in Surrey this week where there was a chance to help launch the British Science Week National Poster Competition during an assembly. It gave local soroptimists a chance to also advertise the #BSW insights and breadth and scope especially activities open to students and communities for ‘at home’ science learning during March and over the year to come. Some 300 Year 7,8 and 9 pupils listened patiently to details of this year’s #BSW theme ‘TIME’. A soroptimist, herself a life scientist, gave a 10 minute overview of the opportunities prevailing during #BSW for students and families to learn have fun and take part. She followed an inspiring short presentation by a female 6th former who plans a career in motorsport engineering . Our presentation highlighted not
It’s National Careers & British Science Week! Next week is a key week in education with National Careers Week running from March 4th – 9th and British Science Week beginning on March 8th. There are projects to do at home, with friends over the Easter break, competitions and exciting resources and helpful videos and guides available. We’d heartily recommend sharing these links with family and friends who have children at school or just graduating this summer. On March 4th we are exhibiting at a School Careers fair for 11-18 year olds. It’s made us reflect on our own experiences as parents, teachers, employers and mentors as we create materials to share. In our STEM working party we have found a free education site of particular value in terms of aiding decision-making about both academic subject options and career planning for students evaluating career paths via
At this time of year mothers and women struggling financially face difficult choices, heat the home, pay the bills, put food on the table, borrow to buy extras and gifts? Alongside supporting foodbanks with female hygiene products year round, local women soroptimists volunteer and fundraise to aid community foodbanks around the country with supermarket vouchers and food, plus summer essentials like children’s sun lotion and treats at Easter. This festive season our soroptimists and friends in Elmbridge donated £15 to fill each gift hat for women and mums from Santa. Brenda and Cathy delivered 20 to @Runnymede at #WeybridgeFoodbank last week, Jean and Ann did the same at @Walton&Hershamfoodbank. Sincere thanks to the generous soroptimists, neighbours, friends and family for the cash to enable this sharing of joy and goodwill locally. Merry Christmas to all partners, volunteers and charities we work with locally to improve
