SI Voices

Hannah Aguis, SI Advocacy Co-ordinator talks to Katie Tobin, Senior Programme Manager at Women's Environment and Development Organization, about the empowerment of women and girls in the context of climate change. Looking at high-level and grassroots actions and solutions.
Further information on the Feminist Action Nexus for Economic and Climate Justice

In the final episode of SI Voices of 2021, we are joined by Dawn Marie Lemonds and SI President-Elect, Maureen Maguire. They chat about Maureen's life growing up in Northern Ireland, all the way through her Soroptimist career, and the journey that has led her to become the next SI President. 

Find out more about the 'Opening Doors' President Appeal, 2021 - 2023 at our website: https://www.soroptimistinternational.org/openingdoors

Hosted by Sue Riney, in this episode of SI Voices, Sharon Fisher reflects on her 2019-2021 presidency that saw unexpected turns and wonderful achievements in her 'Road to Equality' Appeal. She talks about what it meant for her to lead the organisation's centenary, as well as how she pivoted SI's approach and project work in the midst of a global pandemic.

In this episode of SI Voices, SI President Sharon Fisher is joined by human rights lawyer, Ayushi Kundu from Calcutta, India. Ayushi holds many leadership roles within Soroptimist International at both local and global level, and also is part of the UNESCO NGO Liaison Committee. They discuss the value in having an intergenerational dialogue, as well as empowering young leaders supported by more experienced advocates, progressing together towards a more gender equal and sustainable future.

In this episode of SI Voices, Kathy Kaaf is joined by Sophie Muijrers and Eveline Verbeek, two members of the new Young Soroptimist Club Amsterdam, officially chartered in 2021. They talk about their first club project,  focused on breaking taboos and tackling menstrual poverty in the Netherlands,  sharing what they learnt and their hopes for the future.

In this episode of SI Voices, Dawn Marie Lemonds is joined by President of Soroptimist International of the Americas, Kazuko Morita in Kyoto, Japan. Kazuko shares her Soroptimist journey, led by her passion for promoting gender equity and international goodwill, and reveals her exciting plans for SIA. 

In this episode of SI Voices, host Hilary Ratcliffe talks to Cathy Cottridge, the President of Soroptimist International of Great Britain and Ireland, as they discuss how Soroptimists continue to be at the forefront of change. Together, they also pay tribute to the late SIGBI President, Johanna Raffan,  remembering her steadfast determination to make the world a better place for women and girls. 

In this episode of SI Voices, International President Sharon Fisher talks to Connie Mutunhu, the President of Soroptimist International Africa Federation. They celebrate and reflect on the first year of the Africa Federation in action, and share hopes for what the future for women and girls  looks like. 

In this episode of SI Voices, we chat to Suman Lal, the 2019-2021 President of Soroptimist International of the South West Pacific. Alongside host Liz Batten, Suman discusses the momentous project of 'See Solar,  Cook Solar', as well as the challenges that women and girls face in Fiji and beyond.

Find out more about  the 2013-2015 President's Appeal, 'See Solar, Cook Solar' here: https://www.soroptimistinternational.org/flipbooks/si-see-solar-cook-solar

Hosted by Kathy Kaaf, this episode of SI Voices journeys through the Soroptimist career of  Anna Wszelaczyńska, the 2019-2021 President of Soroptimist International of Europe. Anna talks about how things have changed for women in Poland post-Communism, and shares how the SIE Federation have adapted project work in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

In this episode of SI Voices, host Dawn Marie Lemonds is joined by Dr. Sandra Morgan, Director of the Global Centre for Women and Justice. We know that survivor stories are hugely important, highlighted by the UN's theme this year for the World Day Against in Trafficking in Persons: Victims' Voices Lead the Way. Sandra talks about “ethical storytelling”, which encourages every person and organisation to develop values-based goals that puts the human rights and voice of survivors at the centre of their action.

Read about the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons on our website: https://www.soroptimistinternational.org/human-trafficking-victims-to-survivors-to-overcomers-soroptimists-support-their-voices

Find out more about Sandra and her podcast here: https://endinghumantrafficking.org

Kathy Kaaf is in conversation with Joanne Yeoh, of Soroptimist International of the South West Pacific,  discussing the progressive project ‘Clean Water for Rural Communities’ in Sarawak and Sabah on the island of Borneo, tackling food and water insecurity, and empowering women through skills training and leadership opportunities.
 
Find out more about the project, part of the Women, Water & Leadership 2017-19 President's Appeal at: https://www.soroptimistinternational.org/clean-water-for-rural-communities-in-peninsular-malaysia/

Find out more about The International Year of Fruits and Vegetables, 2021, in the background paper at: http://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cb2395en/

In this episode of SI Voices, we discuss the topic of forced marriage and honour-based violence. Sarb shares her personal experience, and we hear about what she does now campaigning to support other women and girls in the UK, through the organisation she founded in 2015 called True Honour. 

Sarb’s book titled, ‘Shamed: The Honour Killing That Shocked Britain - By the Sister Who Fought for Justice’ can be found online or at most major UK bookstores. Find out more about True Honour on their website: www.truehonour.org.uk

An important topic highlighted in the SI President’s Appeal, more resources on Child, Early and Forced Marriage can be found on the SI website: www.soroptimistinternational.org/campaigns/child-marriage

In this episode of SI Voices, host Sue Riney speaks to SI United Nations Representative and Vice-Chair of NGO Committee on Ageing, Frances Zainoeddin. They talk about how older women are often discriminated against in society and in policy, and offer a way forward where women of all ages are included in the fight for gender equality. 

Check out Frances' article discussing Older Women on the Road to Equality here: https://www.soroptimistinternational.org/older-women-on-the-si-road-to-equality/ 

*Trigger warning - includes discussion of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)*

In this episode of SI Voices, host Kathy Kaaf is joined by Beryl Magoko, a Kenyan filmmaker and  campaigner against FGM.  Beryl shares with us how she used filmmaking as a way to tell her own story and raise awareness of the realities of FGM.

In this episode of SI Voices, host Dawn Marie Lemonds talks to SI Past President (2017-19) Mariet Verhoef-Cohen about the intrinsic link between women and water. They discuss the importance of women's full participation in policies and programmes, and why investment and the development of leadership skills in women is key to a more sustainable future. 

In this episode of SI Voices, host Hilary Ratcliffe OBE invites Nisha Ghosh of Soroptimist International Pune Metro East, India, to talk about the important issue of domestic violence. Nisha shares her personal story and how that led to her to be an advocate for women's rights, promoting the importance of including men and boys in the conversation about gender equality.

Women's health is a big topic right now, and in this episode of SI Voices, Liz Batten welcomes past Soroptimist International President, Jane Zimmerman from Tasmania, to reflect on Jane's medical career and her time working with the Flying Doctors. More than 10,000 miles apart, they share their experiences during the pandemic and talk about the participation and important role of women in the fight for better, more inclusive health systems.

Have you heard about our 100th Birthday Event? Check it out: https://100.soroptimistinternational.org/si100 

Recorded over the weekend between week one and week two of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW65), in this episode of SI Voices, host Francesca Fletcher Williams is joined by SI United Nations Representative, New York, Bette Levy, as they talk advocacy, civil society and Soroptimist action, and the importance of the negotiations during the CSW.
Catch up with all the blogs written during CSW at: https://www.soroptimistinternational.org/advocacy/commission-on-the-status-of-women/csw65/

In this episode, host Allie Liu chats to SI President Sharon Fisher on International Women's Day (IWD) about Soroptimist International's 100th year.  Sharon also talks about what IWD means to her, and discusses the events taking place at the 65th Session of Commission on the Status of Women (CSW65).

Early bird ticket registration for the SI 100th Birthday Event is to be launched later in March. Please regularly check our website for updates: www.soroptimistinternational.org/members-area/100th-si-birthday-the-big-event

The Road to Equality President's Appeal: www.soroptimistinternational.org/action/road-to-equality

Find out how to get involved with CSW65:
www.soroptimistinternational.org/advocacy/commission-on-the-status-of-women/csw65