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Mad March for local soroptimsists!

Mad March for local soroptimsists!

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 Gosh March has been a busy month for our soroptimist club in Elmbridge. Early doors – Supporting Hersham FC Ladies Race Night  in person, betting to win at the Barley Mow pub and donating two great prizes for the raffle/auction – delighted to hear over £4500 was raised for Princess Alice Hospice well done to the football club members who organised and ran such a worthwhile fun charity event.. International Women’s Day 2026 – advertising the various historical and important aspects of this day of action led by the United Nations on social media to increase public awareness and joined employers, NGOs, charities, soroptimists and the public celebrating all around the globe. Weybridge and District club members joined in, we organised a walk in the park  in partnership with #PainshillParkTrust who very kindly enabled concessionary entry and a lovely warm space to relax afterwards. We

ECHOES OF OPPRESSION: WOMEN’S FIGHT FOR RIGHTS UNDER THE TALIBAN POLICY BRIEF, #IWD 8 MARCH 2024

ECHOES OF OPPRESSION: WOMEN’S FIGHT FOR RIGHTS UNDER THE TALIBAN POLICY BRIEF, #IWD 8 MARCH 2024

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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

#16Days of Activism get ready..

#16Days of Activism get ready..

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The global 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is a key international moment to call for an end to violence against women and girls. It runs from 25th November (the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women) until 10th December, Human Rights Day. In support of this campaign, the United Nations Secretary-General’s “UNiTE by 2030” initiative calls for global action to increase awareness, galvanise advocacy efforts and share knowledge and innovations to help end all types of violence against women and girls. In 2023, the UNiTE campaign theme is Invest to Prevent Violence against Women & Girls. Soroptimists and UNWomen’s focus is on Tech-facilitated gender based violence against women and girls. What is that? Technology-facilitated gender-based violence is any act that is committed or amplified using digital tools or technologies causing physical, sexual, psychological, social, political, or economic harm to women and girls because

‘Orange’ Cafe stirs interest at Cafe Enzo Weybridge

‘Orange’ Cafe stirs interest at Cafe Enzo Weybridge

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Soroptimists around the world have elected to highlight our pledge to stop violence against women every month on the 25th using a global taskforce #WomenAgainstViolence . #ElmbridgeSoroptimists have started!: we’ve held our first Orange Cafe! Five members of our club met on Monday 25th September at Cafe Enzo in #Weybridge. We made a splash of orange with our clothes, badges, flowers and tablecloths. We told the cafe staff about Soroptimists locally and about the UN campaign to end violence against women and girls. We left some good/bad relationship cards for them to give to customers. It’s a small start, but hopefully this is something that will build month by month. Halloween Week beckons – we will meet on Wednesday 25th October at @SquiresGardenCentre, Hersham, 10am-11.30am. Join us for a warming drink and chat, hear what it’s all about. This month we will be talking about

Wear a Blue Heart on 30th July to show your support

Wear a Blue Heart on 30th July to show your support

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TODAY IS UN WORLD DAY AGAINST TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS   Did you know?   The number of victims detected globally fell by 11 per cent in 2020 from the previous year, driven by fewer detections in low- and medium-income countries. Male victims are the only group that has increased by about 3% from 2019. Detection of trafficking for forced labour in 2020 was equal to that of trafficking for sexual exploitation, at just under 40 per cent each. Globally, the number of convictions for trafficking offences fell by 27 per cent in 2020 from the previous year. Source: UNOUC click here    Read our SIGBI blog on #ModernDaySlavery How you can get involved? Share, like and comment on the social media messages for the World Day Donate to the United Nations Voluntary Trust Fund for Victims of Human Trafficking, which provides on-the-ground assistance and protection

Soroptimists learn about UN defined “gender apartheid” in Afghanistan first hand

Soroptimists learn about UN defined “gender apartheid” in Afghanistan first hand

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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

Specialist Domestic Abuse Courts (SDAC) – How Special Are They?

Specialist Domestic Abuse Courts (SDAC) – How Special Are They?

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Below a link to a recent important Soroptimist Report on the Domestic Violence Court functioning in England. Local Soroptimists from the club in Elmbridge were involved with this project observing at court cases at Guildford, completing and submitting results which have in part enabled this analysis of functioning and “fit for purpose”. The results and recommendations need to be circulated widely so influencers are aware of the shortcoming in terms of victim support. Members have sent the report to Ben Spencer, Jonathon Lord and Dominic Raab, MPs locally and already action has been taken to highlight the findings to the Ministry of Justice. It has also been circulated to Magistrates, Judges, DA Services, Charities,  and the Police Commissioners amongst others with very positive comment and outcomes already. SI Weybridge & District are delighted to share the report link with you; do share this to anyone