June 2026 Since the 1995 Fourth World Conference on Women, Beijing China and the adoption of the Platform for Action,   the UN Commission on the Status of Women (now UN Women) has sought to improve every aspect of life for women During 1995-2000, there were many ‘historic firsts’  for girls and women Dame Stella Rimington, first woman to lead the UK’s Security Service MI5 Women allowed to serve on Royal Navy Submarines Many more girls entered primary education ____________ Since 1976 SI Woking has supported a wide range of projects and charities, at home and abroad. They include: SOS Children’s Village, Mamelodi (South Africa) –  Mary’s Meals Backpack Project See Solar- Cook Solar – Purple Community Fund (Sri Lanka/Africa)   – Smalls for All Meru Women’s Garden Project

May 2026 1993 saw as many women as men enrol in higher education In 1994, a new law made rape in marriage a crime The 1995 Fourth World Conference on Women, Beijing China was a landmark event ____________ Since 1976 SI Woking has supported a wide range of projects and charities, at home and abroad. They include: Anna Goulden Trust (Peru) – Birthing in the Gambia and the Pacific – Water Aid  Life Straws – Barbara Watts VIP Project (South Africa) Hope for Girls and Women FGM Safe House (Tanzania)   Women and climate change Water for All People: Equal Rights and Opportunities – the UN World Water Development Report came out in March 2026. Women are often in charge of collecting and managing water for the family.  But they are less often in charge of  managing the overall supply of water. The inequalities between

  April  ‘Fantasy Flowers’ a work of imagination by a local artist and erstwhile Soroptimist Whatever you do, you can be a Soroptimist   1985 was the last year in the United Nations Decade for Women The decade began when 1975 was designated International Women’s Year. Since then, 8 March has been International Women’s Day 1990 saw the start of Independent taxation for all married women. Since then, married women and single women have been treated alike – with independence and privacy ____________ Since 1976 SI Woking has supported a wide range of projects and charities, including: Ockenden Trust/International, Chernobyl Children’s Lifeline,    Emergency Committee for the Victims of the Earthquake in Afghanistan, Refugees and Victims of the War in Ukraine Enough Campaign The UK government’s latest campaign to prevent violence by men against women and girls.  More here The Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme The

Orange Cafe We were at Costa Coffee, Goldsworth Park, Woking on 25 July 2025 to raise awareness about: combating violence against women and girls self-protection – make sure you have personal emergency contacts to hand, not just in your phone self-protection – what to do online Soroptimist International Southern England We had a great time at the last Regional Meeting of SI Southern England in Salisbury in June. The guest speaker spoke eloquently about the many women who have helped her throughout life.  And we were thrilled to applaud the 50 years service of Trefenna Mitchell! Now it’s our turn to host the September Regional Meeting.  Preparations are under way. We are looking forward to welcoming our sister Soroptimists for a great day. Women – and girls – at work In both World War 1 and World War 2, women stepped up to the jobs

Plastic-Free July This month is Plastic-Free July –  Will you take the challenge and reduce the plastic you use?  Fill in the survey  here:  https://www.plasticfreejuly.org/ Cyber Crime A representative of Thames Valley Police South East Cyber Crime Unit came to the July Social Meeting.  She told us how widespread cyber crime is and what we can all do about it: Use strong, unique passwords  and think about using a password manager *Always use Two Step Verification (2SV, 2FA, MFA)* Think before you click and email link Consider data back-ups and update devices/software promptly Use privacy settings – especially on Social Media (to reduce giving information to attacker Report a scam/phishing: Send an SMS to 7726 – the message will alert your provider to investigate Send an email to report@phishing.gov.uk Useful links: NCSC Cyber Aware Action Plan: https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/cyberaware/actionplan Stop! Think Fraud website: https://stopthinkfraud.campaign.gov.uk/ Check data breaches:

Skittles and Lunch with Shifa We renewed our friendship with the ladies of Shifa at the end in November.  Once again we were at St Andrew’s Church for a get-together.  We were very impressed with the ability of the Shifa ladies to play skittles – we suspect they played a lot of cricket at school! And their food was delicious.

Orange the World 25 September 2023 – Soroptimists were at Squires Café and Garden Centre in Woking to draw attention to the violence suffered by women and girls. Thank you, Squires, for the welcome and support you gave us!   On the 25fh of the month we are raising awareness about the need to reduce violence against women and girls – so much in the local and national news at the moment. Look for the women dressed in orange – and join them for a chat! New Soroptimist International logo The cover picture for our September news show the new Soroptimist International logo.  Adopted at the recent global Soroptimist International conference in Dublin, it brings us right up to date! Fundraising event Advance notice: Woking Soroptimists are organising an event to raise funds for Appeer.  This Surrey-based organisation meets an important need.  It helps autistic

New Woking – New Soroptimist Year The new Woking is emerging with the opening of Victoria Place.  The atrium with its shops and bowling alley is an exciting addition to the shopping centre. New beginnings are definitely in the air, with the new town development, the start of Spring and a new Soroptimist year on the horizon. Horsell Scrubbers If you want to meet an inspiring bunch of people, get in touch with Woking’s Horsell Scrubbers !  Leader Claire Ingham – just elevated to ‘Eminent Citizen of Woking for her work – started the group during the Covid-19 pandemic when NHS staff needed scrubs and kit.  Now that there is less need for those items, Horsell Scrubbers has turned to community sewing and help with sewing and repairs.  Check out their great programme of workshops. Action4Women A timely topic and session! A virtual event with