What We Do
Our programme of service is the core business of our organisation.
It is achieved by focussing on four programme focus goals. Thus we are able to inspire action and work to create opportunities in transforming the lives of women and girls through our global network of members and international partnerships.
The Programme Focus is our blueprint for awareness, advocacy and action.
Programme Focus Goals
Soroptimists will ensure that women and girls:
- enjoy equity and equality
- live in safe and healthy environments
- have access to education
- have leadership and practical skills
We work to achieve our goals by applying our service work and developing projects based on ten agreed.
Objectives
- Eliminate poverty and gender discrimination through ensuring women’s full social and economic rights
- End human trafficking and all forms of violence against women and girls
- Ensure access to health care for women and girls
- Support programmes and policies that eliminate HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis and other major diseases
- Improve access to clean water, sanitation and essential food resources
- Mitigate the effects of climate change and integrate sustainability into personal choices and government policies and programmes
- Meet the needs of women and girls during and after armed conflicts and disasters
- Promote peaceful conflict resolution, intercultural and inter-racial tolerance and condemn all forms of genocide and terrorism
- Ensure equal access to education and training for women and girls throughout their lifespan
- Assure women’s advancement in management, politics and decision making.
How
Some examples:
Local Projects
Region / Club Projects
While Soroptimist clubs select their own projects to meet the needs of their local communities, the Region co-ordinates certain projects which involve all Western Australian Soroptimists.
A new Region Project is being investigated. It will fall within the guidelines of the Topic set for the international Long Term Project (LTP). Clubs throughout the world will all work together on the LTP.
An Example of a Region Project:
Asthma Education
From 1986 – 2006, Western Australian Soroptimist clubs supported the Asthma Camp which were run by the Asthma Foundation of WA. The camps were ultimately named the “Soroptimist Asthma Camps for Kids”. In 2006 the camps were given a new look and Soroptimist International of Western Australia supported the Asthma Foundation of WA’s Triple “E” Asthma Challenge Day Camps.
AWARDS:
The ‘Stella Giles Award for Excellence’ is awarded every year to a woman for Research, or towards the costs of running a project, which will be of immediate benefit for women or girls. It is often in an area which is either neglected or poorly serviced. The award is nominated by clubs and voted on by the committee formed from a representative from several clubs.
Federation Projects
The agreed Federation Project for the next two years covering 2010 -2012 is currently being implemented. It is located in Papua New Guinea and will be managed jointly by two clubs – Soroptimist International Business on Collins and Soroptimist International of Port Moresby. The Project will be known as ‘Birthing in the Pacific’ and will enhance the training of midwives in Papua New Guinea and improve maternal and infant health and mortality rates.
Most recent Federation Project successfully managed and which achieved great outcomes:
Hands Across Borders (HAB) Project
The SISWP Federation Project – Hands Across Borders (HAB) was established in 2006 to bring health, education and economic opportunities to Sampovloun, Cambodia. The initial focus of the Project was to improve sanitation and infrastructure as well as provide a number of basic supplies for the School and Hospital.
By developing partnerships (with the community, other NGOs, government officials, and so on) Soroptimists have been working towards the Millenium Development Goals (MDG) of Health, Education and Economic Development in Sampovloun, Cambodia. Through awareness, advocacy, and action Soroptimist International of Dusit (the club who put forward the project) has established a program that will change the lives of women, children, and all members of the Sampovloun Community.
International Projects
Soroptimists from around the world also support an international project. Such projects are carried out in conjunction with one of the UN agencies or another NGO which has the infrastructure in place to assist local Soroptimists to oversee the project. The current international project, Project SIerra: a Family and a Future, is based in the war-torn country of Sierra Leone. It will support women caring for children in extreme poverty and provide a caring secure family home for children who are alone or at risk of abandonment.
Project SIerra Objectives
Children aged 6 to 12 years who live on the streets will be helped to return home.
Very young mothers estranged from their families will be empowered to be active community members and where possible reintegrate with their families.
Families at risk of breakdown due to poverty, illness or death of one or both parents will be supported to self-sufficiency. Support to each child and family will be individually tailored to meet their needs, including.
Education; health care; counselling and help to strengthen family ties; securing safe living conditions; economic support to help families move towards self-sufficiency.
More details can be found at the project web site www.projectsierra.org
