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August 2026 –

A ceramic yellow flower for August

The effects of climate change mean fewer real flowers this summer

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2010 – 2015, more laws strengthen protection for women 

Domestic Violence Protection Notices and Orders

Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (Clare’s Law)

Sentencing to take account of psychological and longer-term effects

of  a sex offence on a victim

Council of Europe ‘Istanbul’ Convention:

‘violence against women a violation f human rights and a form of discrimination’

In 2016, 45% of academics are female, but only female professors account for only 22%

In 2016, 29% of MPs are women. In world rankings of women in parliament, the UK is 39th

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Since 1976 SI Woking has supported a wide range of projects and charities, at home and abroad. They include:

Victims of War – Your Sanctuary (Surrey) – Esteem Ahead

Red Box Project – Women in Prison – Women’s Support Centre

Liaise Women’s Centre  and Shifa (Woking)

 

We are inspired by Women …

We appreciate the friendship, ideas and encouragement we get from meetings and visits to other Soroptimist Clubs: for example, SI Sunderland’s statue of Molly the WWII Welder is a triumph of vision and persistence. Inspired by SI Stourbridge, we are knitting blankets for women in Ethiopia. And we may follow SI Barnstaple’s example on combating the spiking of drinks – they give out free kits with fluorescent bottle stoppers and adhesive foil lids for the glasses.

Part of the inspirational biodiversity mural created by SHIFA women under the guidance of local artist Sally Ferguson in the new Community Green Hub on Horsell Common.  A great example of what women working together can achieve!

Railway Station Safety Survey 2025

SI Woking took part in this survey by the Soroptimist International federation (SIGBI), so we are glad to see the published results.  But they show that safety for women needs to be better. Read the SIGBI press release: https://sigbi.org/railwaysurvey/

We hope that the government and rail authorities will follow up with effective measures.

Climate change and women – encouraging awareness

The UN World Water Development Report (03/2026) stressed how women suffer more from the water scarcity and natural disasters caused by climate change.

The Amnesty International campaign for a just fashion industry shows how women need to look at the real environmental and human cost of making their clothes.

Women and Equalities Committee (UK Parliament)

The Committee is currently looking into the following topics relating to women:  Routes into sport for girls and women; Egg donation and freezing; Experiences of women in live comedy;  Misogyny – the manosphere and online content.