Staying true to our “Mission” of transforming the lives and status of women and girls through education, empowerment and enabling opportunities, Soroptimists worldwide reaffirm their commitment to a world free from violence against women and girls and where gender equality becomes a lived reality. Inspired by decades of transformative work, Soroptimists live up to their name “the best of women – the best for women”, rooted in the belief in women’s power to uplift and empower one another.
Soroptimists focus on addressing systemic inequities and gender-based violence. Through initiatives like creating safe spaces for survivors, offering scholarships, leadership academies, and mentoring, we have built a foundation of tangible impact that continues to grow stronger.
As we step into 2025, Soroptimists are setting ambitious goals to eliminate violence and champion gender equality through actionable, sustainable efforts. These goals will be pursued through several core strategies:
- Action, Advocacy and Awareness: Amplifying voices, pushing for legislative reforms, and raising awareness on domestic violence, human trafficking, and gender discrimination. Soroptimists will continue to leverage tools like the Istanbul Convention, and advocate for representation in key organisations.
- Education and Empowerment: Education is one of the most powerful tools for change. Soroptimists remain committed to expanding programmes that provide women with access to resources, training, and opportunities. This includes scholarships, leadership academies and mentoring to break cycles of poverty and dependence.
- Community Partnerships: Collaboration is key to achieving lasting impact. By partnering with local organisations, governments, and other stakeholders, Soroptimists seek to strengthen networks of support for women and amplify their collective efforts.
- Youth Engagement: To ensure long-term progress, the organisation is increasingly focused on involving younger generations. Programmes aimed at educating and empowering girls, as well as engaging young men as allies, will be vital in reshaping societal attitudes towards gender equality.
Reflecting on past successes, from mentorship programmes to successful policy changes, our journey is one of perseverance and growth. While structural inequalities, cultural barriers, and deeply rooted gender norms present ongoing challenges, our determination to overcome these obstacles has never been stronger.
Whether by volunteering time, donating resources, or simply raising awareness, everyone has a role to play in creating a world where “Women and girls will achieve their individual and collective potential, realise aspirations and have an equal voice in creating strong, peaceful communities worldwide.”
Let us honour the progress made while embracing the work that lies ahead. Together as a team, we can turn our “Vision” of a just and equitable world into a reality – one step, one voice, and one life transformed at a time.
Yours in friendship,
Hafdís Karlsdóttir
SIE President 2024-2024