Montréal A wonderful network


of Soroptimist friends Our mission, our passion, our success! By Alice Wells, President, Soroptimist International


with a wonderful network of Soroptimist friends at our recent convention in Montréal. Convention Chair Yvonne Machuk, Co-Chair Vicki Hobbs and their committee did an amazing job in planning the programme; every speaker was superb! They all connected with our mission and our vision. The venue was just perfect. If you were unable to attend, I hope that you have been able to follow all the comments on Facebook, Twitter and have had an opportunity to see the photos on the Convention website. The programme for this convention really


emphasised, to me, some very key issues about education and leadership. • Imagine a world where women and girls are afforded equal opportunities for education and leadership. • Imagine a world where women can earn a salary comparable to their male counterparts. • Imagine a world where women are free from sexual harassment and can work in a safe environment. • Imagine a world where girls can achieve their dreams of greatness.


We have just celebrated and connected


not only in our own local communities but throughout the world. There are hundreds of successful local, national, and international Soroptimist projects working to educate and empower girls and women. Our experience illustrates both what works and what we still need to do. It is vitally important to submit your programme focus reports so that we can share with our potential partners, all that you do. Soroptimist International is still the best kept secret in the world. It is through our service that our name will become known in the wider world community. Service is also one of the best recruitment tools that we have. When other women see what we do; when they see the impact of our projects, they want to know more.


As Soroptimists, it is our mission to help make these dreams a reality. We have come a very long way over the past 90 years but we still have much work to do.


Our 2011 December 10th Appeal project, Birthing in the Pacific, targets Millennium Development Goal 5: to improve maternal health. This global target aims to assure that at least 90% of births worldwide would be attended by skilled health personnel by 2015. One of the biggest killers of children under five worldwide is the failure of neonatal care, partly due to the lack of skilled birth attendants and appropriate maternal advice. I first heard about Birthing in the Pacific


Our long-term theme of Education and Leadership provides countless opportunities for Soroptimists worldwide to engage in projects that will benefit women and girls. Education and leadership for girls and


• 1 girl in every 4 never makes it past fifth grade (10 years of age) • 8 out of every 10 women is considered to be in vulnerable employment • 25% of all parliamentary chambers have less than 10% women members


when I attended the UN DPI/NGO conference in Melbourne last August. What intrigued me was that it could hopefully be replicated in other countries throughout the world. Although the latest UN statistics


food. There is no waiting area for spouses or family members, they have to sit on the ground outside. Most birthing centres have no water fountains. I won’t even talk about computers or computer technology. Papua New Guinea has the second worst maternal and infant mortality rate in Asia. What is shocking is that 88-98% of these deaths could be prevented. “Birthing in the Pacific” aims to minimise and reduce the risk of maternal and infant deaths by improving maternity skills of birth attendants in Papua New Guinea. Most maternal deaths occur in the first 24-48 hours after delivery. Women who have no treatment can die within 2-12 hours of delivery from post-partum hemorrhage; women also die from obstructed labour. This project is rolling out four levels of


training and support for nurses and midwives, community health workers, and village birth attendants. In addition, birthing packs are being provided along with increased access to pre-natal and reproductive health education for women. As education is used to save lives, the project also ensures that resources and facilities are equipped with the necessary tools that skilled birth attendants need to do their jobs. Your donations to this wonderful project


women of all ages is the foundation for economic growth and for poverty reduction. Many women still lack basic skills in reading and writing. Girls from minority backgrounds or rural communities are far less likely to enroll in school – if they do, they are less likely to achieve the same outcomes as boys. Our powerful Global Impact Report is an


outstanding tool for clubs throughout the world to use to help identify areas where we are helping women and girls and areas of assistance that are still badly needed. Soroptimists have long supported


reported that fewer women are dying from complications with pregnancy and childbirth, there are still 1,000 women each day dying due to complications with pregnancy and childbirth. Julie Marsaban from SI/SWP says, “This is like two jumbo jets full of women crashing each day… or 41 women dying every hour. Yet… nobody knows about this. It’s not breaking news; if a small passenger plane crashes, the news is broadcast around the globe.” Only 28 out of every 100 women giving


birth have a trained health attendant in the least developed countries. More than 90% of maternal deaths occur in Africa and Asia where the majority of women die from severe bleeding, infections, eclampsia, and obstructed labor. Let me give you a picture of what these


programmes that benefit women and girls – TIS September 2011 Page 2


will go a long way to saving the lives of women giving birth. It is all about education and leadership. Another aspect of the programme is that clubs and individual members can “Adopt a Midwife”. For $300 a midwife can receive the training she needs to help women in childbirth. This is an investment to ensure these women are well- trained and equipped to be successful. Here is my challenge to all of you.


Imagine the possibilities. Imagine what your federation, your union, your region, your club can do. Don’t be afraid to be innovative. Now is the time to look to the future. As Soroptimists, we have a vision which we all share; we are committed to a world where women and girls together achieve their individual and collective potential, realise aspirations and have an equal voice in creating strong, peaceful communities worldwide. This vision is one where we, as


women experience when having a child. If they go to a birthing centre, no food is provided so women have to bring their own


Soroptimists, can make a difference in the lives of the women and girls throughout the world. Won’t you join me and IMAGINE THE POSSIBILITIES!


Alice Wells


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12