Soroptimist International Bath and District

SI Bath and District are supporting International Women’s Day as part of the #SoroptimistsCentenary by taking part in #ChooseToChallenge. Clubs from the South West and Channel Islands held their hand up to support #ChooseToChallenge.

President Lizzie sent a homemade card to local MP Jacob Rees-Mogg highlighting the increase of violence against women especially during the pandemic. Mr Rees-Mogg replied with his letter as shown to let us know what the government is doing about it.

Our club celebrated Christmas this year via zoom due to the pandemic and wore hats and had cocktails on hand. We were joined by our sister club from SI Guernsey, a regional club that we have linked up with during the pandemic. It was so nice to chat and socialise instead of discussing club issues. Here’s to a healthier and better 2021!

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) is a milestone document in the history of human rights. It sets out, for the first time, fundamental human rights to be universally protected. It has been translated into 500 languages and is the most translated document in the world. Marking the Anniversary of the Declaration also closes the #16daysofactivism.#Orangetheworld@UN_Women @SIGBI1   

As more women find space at the work place, and make positive progress towards leadership roles, they are faced with challenges. Women are targeted for their gender and for progressive roles they have adopted. Female employees suffer harassment. Laws of Prevention of Harassment at work place are in place but more needs to be done. Soroptimists Believe they can Achieve success. #Orangetheworld, at #Generationequality #16Daysofactivism #Metoo @SIGBI1 @UN_Women 

Sexual exploitation is rife in many countries. Commercial sexual exploitation of children involves the sexual exploitation of a child, such as the prostitution of children, child pornography and even sale of children. Soroptimists through their projects create awareness of such a barbaric activity. #Orangetheworld, at #Generationequality @SIGBI1 @UN_Women #Metoo

Today we rise for the hard toil and struggle of women in rural communities who compose almost 50% of the agricultural work force. This unpaid labour is coupled with their responsibilities to their homes. Gender-based discrimination and the suffering from the impact of climate change and disasters affect them disproportionately. Soroptimists Believe to Achieve equity and equality for rural women.#Orangetheworld, at #Generationequality.@UN_Women @SIGBI1  

A 2nd batch of gifts have been handed over to the Salvation Army in Bath. Members from our club chose appropriate toys for every age group but particularly children so that they can enjoy some Christmas gifts this year. It’s been a particularly daunting year for many vulnerable families so hopefully this will help some of them and bring a bit of joy into their lives.

A selection of toys and books.

14 women studying to be engineers at the Ecole Polytechnique in Montreal, became the target of a warped misogynist mind. Soroptimists remember the Day and steel their resolve to attain #Generationequality this #16daysofactivism. #Orangetheworld to continue the struggle

Thursday 3rd December our club had the pleasure of zooming in with the Mayor of Bath, Manda Rigby for a very interesting talk from her detailing her time as Mayor during Covid-19. It isn’t the year that she was expecting and she has had to make many changes including all of her social events being done through social media. Her passion and theme for the year is loneliness and she has succeeded in reaching out to many local organisations. It was a pleasure to chat to Manda and we hope to see her in person for more of a chat next year when things are back to some sort of normality!