16 Days of Activism
Days of intensive campaigning by Soroptimists all over the world. The aim: to raise awareness and lead to action about all the ways in which women are exploited and abused.
Safety of Women in Surrey
On Wednesday 20 November 2024 Surrey Soroptimists hosted a one-day conference to explore the safety of women and girls living and working in Surrey. The event brought together expert speakers and representatives of 40 organisations in Surrey.
The main speakers were: Professor Susan Edwards, Professor of Law, University of Northumbria, Newcastle; Sarah Mullen, Former Chair, Respect (UK charity stopping perpetrators of domestic abuse); Gill Kirkman, Assistant Professor in Social Work, UK Country Director of the None in Three academic research project; Lisa Townsend, Surrey Police & Crime Commissioner; Chris Green OBE, Co-Founder, Male Allies Challenging Sexism, Founder, White Ribbon ; Caroline Hill, Surrey Police Stalking Adviser; Daisy Anderson, CEO, Rape & Sexual Abuse Support Centre ; Christine Corless, Soroptimist & Lead on Specialist Domestic Abuse Courts Response.
The conference reviewed the issue, addressing: the laws we have in the UK to improve safety for women, the behaviours that stop women being safe: sexual offences, coercive control, stalking, adolescent dating violence and abuse, online abuse and in other settings, such as schools, workplaces… Speakers and panellists also talked about the many challenges in this area: responding to crisis events; keeping victims safe; deterrence – 2023 statistics show a large number of suspected cases of abuse, but resulting in only a few cases taken to court and even fewer offenders convicted; better ways of prevention of abuse – funding, countering misogynistic attitudes and prejudice…
Remembrance Sunday
A clear, autumnal day for the Remembrance this year.
President Jennie laid the wreath at the Cenotaph for us this year.
Working for Woking Volunteer Fair
We had a stand at the Working For Woking Volunteer Fair on 7 November 2024.
The show made clear that Surrey has an amazing number of volunteers who are doing a tremendous amount for the community.
A great opportunity to connect and network.
Catalyst Support
“You are not alone” – Catalyst Support CEO Sue Murphy was our invited speaker in early November. She told us about the impressive range of help offered by Catalyst Support. The Catalyst staff and volunteers all work to promote mental health and wellbeing of Surrey residents. The help offered by Catalyst for the last 35 years is invaluable given that there are 19 high-risk neighbourhoods in Surrey. The staff and volunteers all work to promote mental health and wellbeing of Surrey residents. In addition to direct counselling and other help, Catalyst also looks after the Women’s Support Centre and Shifa in Woking.
Community Support
SI Woking & District Secretary Christina attended the celebration of five years of Appeer, which helps autistic women and girls in Surrey.
Several members attended the online session on Surrey’s Food Systems organised by the Surrey Climate Commission.