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Written by SISEAP HQ Administration on . Posted in Presidents Message 2022-2024.

How long has it been since you reviewed our vision and mission?

Our Vision is that women and girls will achieve their individual and collective potential, realise aspirations and have an equal voice in creating strong, peaceful communities worldwide.

Our Mission is for Soroptimists to transform the lives and status of women and girls through education, empowerment and enabling opportunities.

Do these words inspire you? Do they provide you with the renewed energy and inspiration to continue to be a Soroptimist, they do me. Often when talking to potential members or partners in projects, I will respond that as a Soroptimist my work transforms the lives of women and girls through our project work. At your next club meeting, consider reading the vision and mission statements at the start of the meeting and remember in your project planning to consider the vision and mission objectives and ensure that the project is going to deliver on an aspect from each.

Visibility of our vision has been on fire this month, with social media platforms showcasing the work undertaken by clubs during Environment month. The range of actions has truly amplified our united voice and commitment in recognising the unequal burdens experienced by climate change.

Over 1,600 Soroptimists from across the 5 Federations will be converging in Dublin in the coming weeks for the SI Convention. At this convention we will be reminded of the SI Vision and Mission and the theme of Challenge the Future. One might ask who’s future!, our SISEAP future; the future of SI; or the future of the women and girls we so passionately advocate for? All very thought provoking, we will all come away motivated and inspired as we personally continue our Soroptimist journey.

SI Inner City Sydney, our newest club, held their charter dinner in June whilst SI Melbourne celebrated 75 Years of service, both milestone achievements. The members buoyed with enthusiasm as they embark on projects which follow our vision and mission.

Left: SI Inner City Sydney Charter

Above: SI Melboune Celebrating 75 Years

It is with much pleasure that I make the following announcements:

• The appointment of Michelle Kaur from SI Shah Alam, Malaysia, as the new Governance Convenor for the remainder of this biennium.
• The appointment of Gail Ker from SI Beenleigh, Australia as a new company Director.
• HQ Communications & Administration Assistant Jessica Aylward is taking maternity leave for 6 months, as she welcomes a new addition to her growing family. I had the pleasure to meet with Jess last week and present her with a gift and convey from all members of the Federation our congratulations and very best wishes on the safe delivery of her baby.
• Naomi To has been appointed as a replacement for Jess whilst she is on maternity leave, please say hello to Naomi next time you ring HQ.

This month we will be calling for position holders for the 2024-2026 Biennium. Our clubs cannot complete projects which transform the lives and women and girls without leaders in the Federation to steer the direction, you can be one of those leaders, you are not alone, we work in teams, please consider nominating for one of the positions or being a member of one of the committees.

Right: Jessica Aylward with President Christine

Yours in Soroptimist friendship,

Christine Johnstone
President 2022-2024
Soroptimist International South East Asia Pacific
swppresident2022@siswp.org

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Written by SISEAP HQ Administration on . Posted in President Message 2022 - 2024.

From November 25 (International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women) to December 10 (Human Rights Day), we come together to raise our voices for the 16 Days of Activism to Eliminate Violence against Women and Girls. This campaign is a call to action to confront and end violence in all its forms, ensuring that women and girls everywhere can live free from fear, harm, and injustice.

Violence against women and girls remains one of the most widespread, persistent human rights violations. 1 in 3 women globally experience physical or sexual violence in their lifetime. During the pandemic, rates of domestic violence surged, underscoring the need for urgent, collective action.

  • Increase in domestic violence: The pandemic exacerbated violence against women and girls due to lockdowns, isolation, and financial strain. Countries like France, Argentina, and Singapore reported increases in emergency calls related to domestic violence of over 25-40% in the first months of the pandemic.
  • UN Women Report (2021): Over 50% of women in several countries reported that they or someone they know had experienced violence since the pandemic started.

Today, violence against girls continue, with :

  • Child marriage: Globally, 12 million girls are married each year before the age of 18. Progress in reducing child marriage has slowed significantly over the past 5 years, with the pandemic adding millions of girls at risk of early marriage.
  • Female genital mutilation (FGM): 200 million girls and women alive today have undergone FGM, with countries like Somalia reporting over 90% prevalence rates among girls aged 15 to 49.

Let’s use these 16 days to:

  • Raise awareness: Share stories, statistics, and resources to help shed light on the issue.
  • Support survivors: Listen to and amplify the voices of survivors, and offer support through donations or volunteering with local shelters and organizations.
  • Advocate for change: Call for stronger laws, better enforcement, and expanded services to protect women and girls from violence.
  • Wear orange: Join the global movement by wearing orange, the color representing a brighter future without violence.

Support SISEAP in its 16 Days of Activism to Eliminate Violence Against Women and Girls Live Event on 26 November 2024.

FIND OUT MORE & REGISTER HERE

Together, we can end the silence, dismantle harmful norms, and create a safer, more just world for women and girls. Every voice matters, and every action counts. Let’s make these 16 days a catalyst for lasting change.

Joanne Yeoh

SISEAP President, 2024-2026

swppresident2020@siswp.org

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Written by SISEAP HQ Administration on . Posted in President Message 2022 - 2024.

Soroptimist International of the South East Asia Pacific (SISEAP) Federation President Christine Johnstone 2022-2024

Christine Johnstone is our current President for SISEAP 2022-2024, she has been a member of SI Beenleigh Club since 1992 and has held positions including Club Secretary, Treasurer ICT Liason, Region Delegate, Programme/UN Liaison and President.

At the Federation level, she has been the Federation ICT for many years, implementing all of the modern technology communications methods. Christine has also been a team member and project manager for various versions of the SISEAP website. She has developed the specifications for and implementation of the SISEAP Programme database. She has ensured that technology has met the current business needs of the organisation. In addition to ICT, she has also held the role of Federation Public Relations and Assistant Programme Director.

Christine firmly believes that when you join an organisation you need to look for opportunities to contribute to the ongoing growth of the organisation.

It is customary for the incoming President to have a theme for her biennium and she kept coming back to the belief of how powerful our voices are. This Biennium, her vision is  "Our Voice for Change" Her aim is that "Our voice will amplify our areas of concerns" 

When President Christine became a Soroptimist, not long after a global voice for women was introduced as the tag line and is still used today. Whilst we have had other powerful tag lines, Educate Enable Empower Women inspiring action, transforming lives and We stand up for women. Christine kept coming back to - a global voice for women. She said "It still says it all for me, it makes me feel proud that my voice contributes to change worldwide."

Lets break down the meaning of it:
Global - we are an international organisation working world wide.
We are women.
And we have a Voice - this is where our power comes from, the power to create the actions and the change.

Whilst President Christine was researching her theme, she kept coming back to five core areas of concern which face us as motivators of change: 

Provide innovative education projects to ensure everyone’s right to education.

Advocate for gender equality, reduce/ing barriers to learning.

Provide micro, small business opportunities and training.

Innovative ideas which connect/provide employment opportunities.

Soroptimists will be agents of change to transform communities and cities for a sustainable future.

This is Us, working together to bring about change, it encompasses everything we as Soroptimists deliver each and every day.

"As we have done for the past 100 years let this biennium be a time where we come together. Let our voices be amplified together to bring about the change we desire."

 Find the 2022-2024 Biennium Toolkit HERE.

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Written by SISEAP WebDev on . Posted in 16 Days of Activism.

The Orange Story

Daphne White launched the “Recognising Coercive Control” online toolkit on the 30th of November 2022, on day 6 of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence.  The launch was held in her home town of Geraldton, and there was a great turnout, with both in-person and virtual attendees.  The support for the toolkit has been positive, and it is encouraging to see the interest in raising awareness of this critical topic.

I have spent 2022 completing the research and content writing for the toolkit and website,  this was made possible through the Soroptimist Western Australia "Soroptimist Leadership Awards", the grant enabling me to research and complete the website and toolkit.  

The Orange Story website  is for professionals, practitioners and other support staff wanting to increase their knowledge and skills across domestic and family violence practice, so they can enhance practice quality and improve outcomes for clients in their work roles.

Daphne supports passionate people who work alongside women experiencing domestic and family violence - in a variety of sectors and settings. Increase your knowledge so you can update your professional skills in your current role or advance into a career in domestic and family violence.

You will be able to access learning content in a variety of areas that will build your skills in a range of practice areas, but not limited to:

  • Prevention of violence against women

  • Domestic and family violence responses and interventions

  • Child safety and domestic and family violence

  • High risk of harm topics (non-fatal strangulation, coercive controlling behaviour, intimate partner sexual violence)

  • Risk management and safety planning

  • Trauma informed practice in domestic and family violence

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