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About Us
As a global volunteer organisation, Soropimist International (SI) operates across five federations in more than 120 countries, bringing together women from diverse backgrounds to advocate for gender equality, human rights, and sustainable development.
At the international level, SI collaborates with major global institutions and influences policy decisions that impact the lives of women and girls worldwide.
INTERNATIONALLY
LEADERSHIP & VISION
At the helm of Soroptimist International is our SI President, who serves as a global ambassador for the organisation, leading efforts to create positive change and represent Soroptimists on international platforms.
The SI President works closely with the five federations and the global membership to promote Soroptimist values and advocate for the needs of women and girls.
SIANZ is proud that the current SI International President is from our Federation: South East Asia Pacific.
“It is my pride and honour to serve as SI President for the biennium 2024/2025 and to have the opportunity to lead SI, an organisation with more than 100 years of history with an even greater enthusiasm to serve the women and girls who need our help.
The world is facing serious issues of climate change as well as violence and conflicts, leading to greater poverty, gender inequality, migration, health and other injustices, all of which disproportionately affect women and girls more. We must strengthen and harness the SI legacy of education, empowerment and enabling pathways from our 66,000 members from the 5 Federations to further improve the lives of women and girls even more critically.
This has led me to champion the campaign “Save Mother Earth, Save the Future” and to seek the path of “No War, Only Peace”, striving for peace in the home, peace in the country, and peace in the world.
In both themes we seek to save our planet, save our women and girls from pain and suffering and give future generations a cleaner, brighter and safer future”.
Siew Yong Gnanalingam
Words From the Current SI President
New Zealand Representation at the International Level
New Zealand is proud to have several members serving at the International level, contributing their expertise, passion, and leadership to shape the future of Soroptimist work. Among them are:
Anthea Penny
Chair of Governance Committee
Wendy Logan
SI Treasurer
Anne Gover
SI Procedural Consultant
SOROPTIMIST INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION
The Soroptimist International Foundation was established in March 2021 as a charitable trust to allow Soroptimist International to accurately account for its project work, leverage its charitable status, and enhance its ability to apply for grants and funding.
The Foundation provides funding for projects that aim to Educate, Empower and Enable the lives of women and girls around the world.
The Objects of the Soroptimist International Foundation are to promote either directly or by the encouragement and support of others:
Advancing education
Promoting health and saving lives
Preventing and alleviating poverty
Encouraging good citizenship and community development
Promoting human rights, peace, equality, and diversity
To date (September 2024) Soroptimist International Foundation projects have addressed critical issues such as poverty, education, health, violence against women, and gender equality, all of which align with many of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
These initiatives have made a significant impact, empowering marginalised women and girls and supporting sustainable development in communities across various regions.
For more information about the SI Foundation, including current projects and how to donate, please visit the Soroptimist International Website.
By becoming a Soroptimist, you join a global network of women committed to creating lasting change for women and girls everywhere. From local actions to international advocacy, our members are part of a powerful movement that makes a difference on the group and at the highest levels of decision-making.