Soroptimist International GBI

Economic and Social Development

Mission

Through International partnerships and a global network of members Soroptimists inspire action and create opportunities to transform the lives of women and girls.

The goals are:

Soroptimists will ensure that women and girls will:

• Enjoy equity and equality.
• Live in safe and healthy environments.
• Have access to education.
• Have leadership and practical skills:

Objectives

In this area of our Programme work:

• Eliminate poverty and gender discrimination through ensuring women’s full social and economic rights
• Assure women’s advancement in management, politics and decision making

The World Bank states 1.4 billion people live on less than US$1.25 or 80pence a day

Women trying to survive in such extreme poverty must often go without the food they need, and must make agonizing choices between adequately feeding their children, buying medicine when they are sick or sending them to school.

Soroptimists are calling for change to help women work their way out of poverty. Clubs are working with our partners Fairtrade and the Trade Justice Movement to develop policies and plans, such as ‘Tipping the Balance’ the Fairtrade Foundation’s vision for transforming trade over the next four years. This will ensure that the benefits of trade will reach the most marginalized members of society, particularly poor women.

Important dates for your diary 2009

·        Fairtrade Fortnight 23rd February – 8^th March

·        UN International Day for the Eradication of Poverty 17^th October

Fairtrade

Fairtrade is a rapidly growing international movement which seeks to guarantee a better deal for farmers and workers in the developing world, who struggle to provide for themselves and their families. Poor market access and unfair trade rules often mean that the price they get for their crop does not cover the cost of production.

A product that is Fairtrade certified carries a label the FAIRTRADE mark, which means it must meet international Fairtrade standards set by the International Certification Body, Fairtrade Labelling Organisations (FLO)

A spokesperson at the Fairtrade Foundation states:-The success of Fairtrade and the FAIRTRADE Mark in the UK is built upon the commitment of our grassroots supporters and our member organisations. They have successfully created and driven forward awareness raising campaigns and events that have taken Fairtrade to every part of hundreds of communities across the UK. From churches, to synagogues, to schools to workplaces Fairtrade now has a presence. We are pleased that the Soroptimists have joined the Fairtrade Foundation and look forward to working together to take Fairtrade to the next level and ultimately to transform the lives of thousands of producers.

Fairtrade Fortnight 23^rd February – 8^th March 2009

Make it Happen Choose Fairtrade

Whatever you do this Fairtrade Fortnight, please make sure you take action.

Fairtrade has come a long way, but there is much more to be done. Use Fairtrade Fortnight to tell your friends, neighbours, colleagues and communities about why Fairtrade is vital for poor producers in developing countries.

Visit the Fairtrade website www.fairtrade.org.uk for more information

African, Asian and Caribbean countries can get involved from a growers/producers perspective, giving an insight into the effect that development of Fairtrade is bringing to local producers, suppliers, economies and communities.

The Trade Justice Movement

At the Annual Conference held in London in November 2008 the Trade Justice Movement announced a new campaign “Be a Trade Justice Hero”. Please help to support our partners in this lobbying campaign to raise awareness of unfair Trade agreements between Europe and developing countries. More information can be found at www.tjm.org.uk  from January 2009 until the European elections in June.

You can also read PAM our monthly on line Programme Action Magazine for up to the minute News and information on all programme work.

The Empowerment of Women

This is a key issue for Soroptimists, and clubs throughout our federation are working to support women, helping to give them the necessary skills and confidence to maintain a sustainable income. Many of these projects include small loans or micro finance to start up small businesses. When women have access to finances, credit, technologies and markets, they are likely to expand their businesses and contribute effectively to sustained economic growth and development. They bring new perspectives to decision making and increase chances of education and employment for the next generation. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in his address on International Women’s Day March 2008 says:

 “As we pass the midpoint in the race to reach the Millennium Development Goals, let us recommit to investing in the world’s women and girls as a way to reach our destination, let us unite in this mission”.

Through our programme work we have the opportunity to transform the lives of women and girls, and work towards a sustainable future for all.

Sue Challoner

Assistant Programme Director

Economic & Social Development