Soroptimist International Board approves new strategic plan!

The SI Board has unanimously approved a new strategic plan, effective immediately. This plan, while to be reviewed on an annual basis, is designed to take SI through the foreseeable future.

SI President Hanne Jensbo recently wrote to SI’s international leadership: “It is a historic moment! Congratulations to you and us all for this mile-stone in the history of SI.”

She also extended a special thank you to the members of SI’s strategic planning group who took the first steps in developing this plan: Margaret Lobo, Yvonne Machuk, Elaine Moffat, Heidrun Konrad, Carwen Wynne-Howells, Jo Darbyshire and Rosie Coutts. A special thank you was also shared for the late Lynn Dunning who played an instrumental role in SI’s strategic planning for the future.

Please visit http://www.soroptimistinternational.org/html/strategic_plan.html to read the goals and objectives set by the SI Board. Members can login at http://restricted.soroptimistinternational.org/ to read the plan in its entirety.

Global Fund for Women: Multimedia Special on 16 days of activism

The December E-Newsletter from the Global Fund for Women includes a multimedia special on the 16 days of activism to end violence against women.


Watch a YouTube video on 'Take back the Tech"

You can also listen to a GFW podcast showcasing the history and significance of this campaign that has brought together over 3,400 women's groups in 164 countries to mobilize against gender violence in the past two decades. Click here for more!

WHO WORKS FOR YOU, SISTER? Protecting the Rights of Migrant Women Domestic Workers

Currently there are an estimated 214 million international migrants and international migration is expected to increase due to global economic stress and climate change. On December 4, 2010, the tenth anniversary year of the International Day of Migrants was noted by the United Nations General Assembly.

Nearly half are women, many work as domestic workers. Women migrant domestic workers are usually employed in private households and are very susceptible to physical and sexual abuse. Frequently, they are not allowed outside of the home, work excessively long hours and may be required to give up their passports and identification by the employer. Of particular note it that a great deal of the physical abuse is committed by their women employers.

In response, the International Labor Organization has urged ratification of a resolution to protect the rights of all migrant workers, including female domestic workers. The human rights of this “invisible” workforce has been trampled on and ignored for too long.

All of civil society can keep a watchful eye on situations in their own communities as well as monitoring the legislation and legal protection of migrants in state governments. Find out what the law is in your country to protect the human rights of all migrant workers and urge appropriate action if needed.

Lois A. Beilin, SI rep. to UN/NY