Soroptimist International, President Maureen Maguire Launches new Presidents Appeal “Opening Doors to a Bright Future”
Launched on 1 October 2021, SI President Maureen Maguire invites all Soroptimists to join her in “Opening Doors to a Bright Future”.
With education at its’ heart, the SI President’s Appeal 2021-2023 will establish projects in each of our five Federations, the first being in the Federation of South East Aisia Pacific, Cambodia, where we will simultaneously provide vital access to education for girls aged 10 to 15 years and empower women to develop self-confidence through mentoring programmes. Objectives of the appeal are:
- Provide access to education in all its forms for disadvantaged and marginalised women and girls.
- Provide education to women and girls in a safe, friendly, and stimulating environment where there is equality of opportunity and support for all.
- Develop mentoring programmes that encourage confidence, self-esteem and increase the participation of women and girls in society and in decision-making.
- Increase access to information, educational resources, and services, to empower women and girls to make informed life-choices.
You can read further information on the appeal here.
Member donations to Opening Doors to a Brighter Future will be transferred to Soroptimist International Foundation (registered in England and Wales 1194895) which has been set up to maximise opportunities for SI’s work around the world.
There are 5 projects across the Federations, in our SISEAP Federation the project is located in Cambodia. In June SI President Maureen Maguire travelled with SISEAP President's appeal liaison officer Linna to visit the project and meet with the women who have benefited from the education and vocational training, view the video of the trip here.
Building on a tangible thread running through the very heart of Soroptimist work, “Opening Doors to a Brighter Future” will cement the Soroptimist belief and commitment to Education throughout the life-course, and its immense power and fundamental role as a driver for sustainable development, peace, and equality. Investing in girls’ education brings high rewards, breaking cycles of poverty and aiding economic growth. Education empowers women, girls, and their communities, delivering skills and knowledge, whilst increasing confidence. Enabling women and girls to make informed decisions affecting their future wellbeing, health, participation, and quality of life.
President Maureen explains: “Education is the tool to tackle multiple barriers faced by women and girls today. Prior to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, progress was visible in the delivery of quality education around the world, however, the past 17 months, has taken a toll, with UNICEF estimating 156 million children and young people are out of school. Of these, six out of 10 have no access to basic literacy and numeracy.
Estimates further suggest 750 million adults are illiterate, with many living in poverty, facing marginalisation, and disadvantage. Inequitable access to educational resources and learning is exacerbated by the digital divide, and as such, opening the door to education is an essential goal in each of our Appeal projects. This criterion will allow us to meet our proposed, measurable objectives, driving real change and lasting impact to families, and the local and broader communities where we work”.
Objectives
Provide access to education in all its forms for disadvantaged and marginalised women and girls.
Provide education to women and girls in a safe, friendly, and stimulating environment where there is equality of opportunity and support for all.
Develop mentoring programmes that encourage confidence, self-esteem and increase the participation of women and girls in society and in decision-making.
Increase access to information, educational resources, and services, to empower women and girls to make informed life-choices.
How to support Opening Doors to a Bright Future
Share the Social Media Resources for Opening Doors to a Bright Future through your own channels and at Club, Region, Union or any further upcoming events and meetings. Available on the SIHQ Trello Board here.
Plan a fundraiser to raise funds and drive awareness of the power of Education.
Share the stories that will be available on the Soroptimist International website as and when available on the projects taking place initially in Cambodia, and the subsequent projects to be established around the world. They can be found here.
Purchase the Soroptimist International Opening Doors to a Bright Future pin, which will be available from 10 December 2021 (contact to be confirmed 10 December)
Get in touch with us with your thoughts, questions, fundraising photographs, or video clips we would love to see and hear your stories! Email the SI Presidents Appeal team president.appeal@soroptimistinternational.org
Thank you for your commitment to driving change as we enter our next century of work as Soroptimists. With your support we can Open Doors to a Bright Future for women and girls across the globe.
#SIOpeningDoors #LeaveNoOneBehind #QualityEducation #LearningNeverStops #EducationForAll #RightToEducation