SI Voices

In this episode of SI Voices, we chat to Suman Lal, the 2019-2021 President of Soroptimist International of the South West Pacific. Alongside host Liz Batten, Suman discusses the momentous project of 'See Solar,  Cook Solar', as well as the challenges that women and girls face in Fiji and beyond.

Find out more about  the 2013-2015 President's Appeal, 'See Solar, Cook Solar' here: https://www.soroptimistinternational.org/flipbooks/si-see-solar-cook-solar

Hosted by Kathy Kaaf, this episode of SI Voices journeys through the Soroptimist career of  Anna Wszelaczyńska, the 2019-2021 President of Soroptimist International of Europe. Anna talks about how things have changed for women in Poland post-Communism, and shares how the SIE Federation have adapted project work in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

In this episode of SI Voices, host Dawn Marie Lemonds is joined by Dr. Sandra Morgan, Director of the Global Centre for Women and Justice. We know that survivor stories are hugely important, highlighted by the UN's theme this year for the World Day Against in Trafficking in Persons: Victims' Voices Lead the Way. Sandra talks about “ethical storytelling”, which encourages every person and organisation to develop values-based goals that puts the human rights and voice of survivors at the centre of their action.

Read about the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons on our website: https://www.soroptimistinternational.org/human-trafficking-victims-to-survivors-to-overcomers-soroptimists-support-their-voices

Find out more about Sandra and her podcast here: https://endinghumantrafficking.org

Kathy Kaaf is in conversation with Joanne Yeoh, of Soroptimist International of the South West Pacific,  discussing the progressive project ‘Clean Water for Rural Communities’ in Sarawak and Sabah on the island of Borneo, tackling food and water insecurity, and empowering women through skills training and leadership opportunities.
 
Find out more about the project, part of the Women, Water & Leadership 2017-19 President's Appeal at: https://www.soroptimistinternational.org/clean-water-for-rural-communities-in-peninsular-malaysia/

Find out more about The International Year of Fruits and Vegetables, 2021, in the background paper at: http://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cb2395en/

In this episode of SI Voices, we discuss the topic of forced marriage and honour-based violence. Sarb shares her personal experience, and we hear about what she does now campaigning to support other women and girls in the UK, through the organisation she founded in 2015 called True Honour. 

Sarb’s book titled, ‘Shamed: The Honour Killing That Shocked Britain - By the Sister Who Fought for Justice’ can be found online or at most major UK bookstores. Find out more about True Honour on their website: www.truehonour.org.uk

An important topic highlighted in the SI President’s Appeal, more resources on Child, Early and Forced Marriage can be found on the SI website: www.soroptimistinternational.org/campaigns/child-marriage

In this episode of SI Voices, host Sue Riney speaks to SI United Nations Representative and Vice-Chair of NGO Committee on Ageing, Frances Zainoeddin. They talk about how older women are often discriminated against in society and in policy, and offer a way forward where women of all ages are included in the fight for gender equality. 

Check out Frances' article discussing Older Women on the Road to Equality here: https://www.soroptimistinternational.org/older-women-on-the-si-road-to-equality/ 

*Trigger warning - includes discussion of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)*

In this episode of SI Voices, host Kathy Kaaf is joined by Beryl Magoko, a Kenyan filmmaker and  campaigner against FGM.  Beryl shares with us how she used filmmaking as a way to tell her own story and raise awareness of the realities of FGM.

In this episode of SI Voices, host Dawn Marie Lemonds talks to SI Past President (2017-19) Mariet Verhoef-Cohen about the intrinsic link between women and water. They discuss the importance of women's full participation in policies and programmes, and why investment and the development of leadership skills in women is key to a more sustainable future. 

In this episode of SI Voices, host Hilary Ratcliffe OBE invites Nisha Ghosh of Soroptimist International Pune Metro East, India, to talk about the important issue of domestic violence. Nisha shares her personal story and how that led to her to be an advocate for women's rights, promoting the importance of including men and boys in the conversation about gender equality.

Women's health is a big topic right now, and in this episode of SI Voices, Liz Batten welcomes past Soroptimist International President, Jane Zimmerman from Tasmania, to reflect on Jane's medical career and her time working with the Flying Doctors. More than 10,000 miles apart, they share their experiences during the pandemic and talk about the participation and important role of women in the fight for better, more inclusive health systems.

Have you heard about our 100th Birthday Event? Check it out: https://100.soroptimistinternational.org/si100