SI Voices

In this episode of SI Voices, host Dawn Marie Lemonds engages with Mary Muia and Shaleen Wanjiru, SI Representatives to the United Nations, to discuss the critical role of women in leading sustainable change amidst the climate crisis. The conversation highlights the disproportionate impact of climate change on women and girls, particularly in Africa, and explores the health and mental health challenges they face. The speakers emphasize the importance of women's leadership in climate action and the need for youth involvement in decision-making processes. They share insights on local and national initiatives aimed at addressing climate change and the significance of community engagement in fostering sustainable practices.

World Day for International Justice is also known as Day of International Criminal Justice or International Justice. This is a day marked around the world on 17 July as a way to recognise the system of international criminal justice.  

In our podcast to mark this day we are looking at a specific aspect of criminal and social justice, the trafficking women and girls. 

Our guest is Linda Witong, Soroptimist International Advocacy Advisor 2024-2025. Linda has served as the President of the Soroptimists of Marin County and Novato and has been a Soroptimist delegate to the UN Commission on the Status of Women from 2013-2024. 

Linda is now retired but she was Deputy District Attorney in the Marin County District Attorney's Office for over 32 years. She is currently a member of the Marin County Human Trafficking Coalition and is receiving training in homicide investigation, human trafficking, child abduction and elder abuse. 

In the first of our SI Voices podcast series for 2024 we review CSW68, the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women, or ‘CSW’ event which took place this year in March.  CSW is a key event in Soroptimist International’s calendar as it is a Commission that focuses specifically on promoting gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls. 

This year, a delegation of more than 100 Soroptimists from all continents attended in person, while many more followed events online. 

In this podcast episode we will hear individual perspectives and reflections from Berthe De Vos, Soroptimist International Main Representative to the United Nations in Geneva and Hana Smith, Soroptimist International Global Policy Advisor, who both attended CSW68 in person this year.

Hannah Aguis, SI Advocacy Co-ordinator talks to Katie Tobin, Senior Programme Manager at Women's Environment and Development Organization, about the empowerment of women and girls in the context of climate change. Looking at high-level and grassroots actions and solutions.
Further information on the Feminist Action Nexus for Economic and Climate Justice

In the final episode of SI Voices of 2021, we are joined by Dawn Marie Lemonds and SI President-Elect, Maureen Maguire. They chat about Maureen's life growing up in Northern Ireland, all the way through her Soroptimist career, and the journey that has led her to become the next SI President. 

Find out more about the 'Opening Doors' President Appeal, 2021 - 2023 at our website: https://www.soroptimistinternational.org/openingdoors

Hosted by Sue Riney, in this episode of SI Voices, Sharon Fisher reflects on her 2019-2021 presidency that saw unexpected turns and wonderful achievements in her 'Road to Equality' Appeal. She talks about what it meant for her to lead the organisation's centenary, as well as how she pivoted SI's approach and project work in the midst of a global pandemic.

In this episode of SI Voices, SI President Sharon Fisher is joined by human rights lawyer, Ayushi Kundu from Calcutta, India. Ayushi holds many leadership roles within Soroptimist International at both local and global level, and also is part of the UNESCO NGO Liaison Committee. They discuss the value in having an intergenerational dialogue, as well as empowering young leaders supported by more experienced advocates, progressing together towards a more gender equal and sustainable future.

In this episode of SI Voices, Kathy Kaaf is joined by Sophie Muijrers and Eveline Verbeek, two members of the new Young Soroptimist Club Amsterdam, officially chartered in 2021. They talk about their first club project,  focused on breaking taboos and tackling menstrual poverty in the Netherlands,  sharing what they learnt and their hopes for the future.

In this episode of SI Voices, Dawn Marie Lemonds is joined by President of Soroptimist International of the Americas, Kazuko Morita in Kyoto, Japan. Kazuko shares her Soroptimist journey, led by her passion for promoting gender equity and international goodwill, and reveals her exciting plans for SIA. 

In this episode of SI Voices, host Hilary Ratcliffe talks to Cathy Cottridge, the President of Soroptimist International of Great Britain and Ireland, as they discuss how Soroptimists continue to be at the forefront of change. Together, they also pay tribute to the late SIGBI President, Johanna Raffan,  remembering her steadfast determination to make the world a better place for women and girls.