Author: Soroptimist International Western Canada Region

Violence Against Women – Change the Conversation; Change the Attitude!

Submitted by: Linda Cunliffe, SI Surrey/Delta

November 25, 2022

The horrific murder of Mahsa Amini has shone a global light on violence against women. Watching the Iranian men’s soccer team stand shoulder-to-shoulder in silence during their national anthem touched my heart. According to Issy Ronald, CNN reporter (November 22), “What began as a clamour for women’s rights has morphed into a movement … giving the team a potentially powerful platform from which to voice its support for the protestors.”

Just one example of men standing up in defiance of gender-based violence. Closer to home, our very own BC Lions football team delivers its “Be More Than a Bystander” program. Be More Than a Bystander is a “ground-breaking initiative between the Ending Violence Association of British Columbia (EVA BC) and the BC Lions, aimed at increasing the understanding regarding the impact of gender-based violence.”

According to their website at https://www.bclions.com/bemorethanabystander/, “The program will break the silence surrounding gender-based violence by providing tools, language and practical ideas about how to be more than a bystander, how to speak up and how to communicate that violence and abuse is not acceptable.”

One of the ground-breaking ways that Be More Than a Bystander delivers gender-based violence messaging is through their presentations to BC high schools. They focus on “the importance of creating a safe environment in the school for young men and women, what it means to be more than a bystander and how students can initiate change.”

The BC Lion’s message is powerful (watch their video on their website). As professional male athletes, they also stand together in defiance of gender-based violence. They lead the way to effect positive change in the language, attitudes, and culture of violence against women. If the old, established mindset of men cannot be changed, perhaps these football “warriors” will inspire new conversations that will reshape the attitudes of our younger men and boys and encourage them to stand up to their peers and say, “it’s not ok to be violent towards women.” The BC Lions are truly part of the solution!

Soroptimist International-Western Canada Region

For immediate release.

Challenging the Silence.

Soroptimists stand in solidarity with women and girls in Iran.

November 7, 2022

For the last few weeks, the world has seen and heard the protests in Iran sparked by the tragic killing of a young woman, Mahsa Amini. Additional heinous and horrific acts that violate human rights continue to take place in Iran each day. These events have had direct impact on women in Iran and the diaspora around the world.

Soroptimist International – Western Canada Region stands with the women of Iran, our Muslim sisters and all others who are most vulnerable. This solidarity goes beyond religion or politics, it speaks to the heart of those seeking equality and justice in an unjust system.

Soroptimist members in Canada from Iran, with direct ties to Iran, have expressed anger, frustration, and horror at the situations they are witnessing through firsthand accounts from their friends and families in that country. The scale of media coverage of the situation in Iran is disproportionate to what is truly happening on the ground.

Our global body, Soroptimist International, takes a human rights stand on all issues. Our statement can be found HERE. We are ‘the global voice for women’ and as such, we Soroptimists in Western Canada call on all women and girls in every community, and all upstanders for human rights, to demonstrate, to protest injustice, to share stories on social media, to be aware of what is truly happening and to educate themselves and others to what is going on in Iran, the issues and consequences.   We also call upon them to write their elected representatives, the UN Human Rights Commission, to those in power, to hold Iran accountable for these gross violations of human rights. As Soroptimists we will always challenge any attack on women’s human rights. We will continue to care about what happens in other countries because to be free and equal, we must all be free and equal.

What is Soroptimist International?

Soroptimist is coined from the Latin “soror” (“sister”), and “optima” (“best”), and is interpreted as “the best for women”. Soroptimist International is a worldwide volunteer organization devoted to gender equality.

Soroptimists engage in global advocacy through consultative status at the UN. Working within their communities, Soroptimists enhance the education, health, human rights, and status of all women. Soroptimist International incorporates five federations, of which Soroptimist International of the Americas includes almost 30,000 members in 20 countries and territories. The Western Canada Region, comprised of 300+ members in 16 clubs, covers the area from British Columbia to Manitoba and is part of Soroptimist International of the Americas.

For media inquiries please contact:

Suzanne Heron – SI-WCR President

250-891-7495          |          suz.heron@gmail.com

Submitted by Western Canada Region Governor Suzanne Heron

Why do we as Canadians care about the U.S. Supreme Court taking away Americans’ right to abortion?

We care because the United States is a global influencer. This emboldens others who would remove a person’s right to control what happens to their own body. Access to safe abortion has been declared as a human right by multiple international courts and bodies.

We wonder who to trust in our own country, among legislators and would-be legislators, who say they support this fundamental right. We care because we know the consequences of this decision. Banning abortion only decreases safe abortions. We grieve for the women and children who are already bearing the health, financial, social and emotional burdens of unwanted, dangerous or unplanned pregnancies.

Our global body, Soroptimist International, takes a human rights stand on all issues. In our Position Paper on Sexual and Reproductive Health, we support “the rights set out in the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women relating to sexual and reproductive health, in particular that women are afforded the ‘rights to decide freely and responsibly on the number and spacing of their children and to have access to the information, education and means to enable them to exercise these rights.’”

Our Soroptimist Federation, SI of the Americas, has a laser focus on providing access to education for women and girls – the fastest path to economic empowerment. “We have seen firsthand the consequential effects unplanned pregnancy has on a woman’s mental and physical health, her educational opportunities, and her future success, as well as the health and economic outcomes for her children. The reversal of Roe v. Wade means that Soroptimist’s programs, which improve access to education for women and girls, will be even more important for reducing the probability of unplanned pregnancy and for equipping women and girls to pursue employment whatever their maternal status.”

We Soroptimists in Western Canada will provide tools for girls to realize their own dreams, and to be strong in demand and defence of their own rights. We will propel women into the education they need to reach economic empowerment and equality. We will challenge any attack on women’s human rights. We will care what happens in other countries because to be free and equal, we must all be free and equal.

We urge our members, friends and all who care about human rights to advocate for the full range of reproductive health education and services.

Victoria, BC — Soroptimist is an international volunteer organization for business and professional women who work to improve the lives of women and girls through programs leading to social and economic empowerment.

Vital work of this nature had no time to stop a pandemic. In fact, the need for the programs and support of Soroptimists grew throughout 2020-2021. Clubs around the globe continued to meet virtually and develop creative ways to support the vulnerable in their communities.

This meant that the annual Western Canada Region Conference, which is held each spring, was hosted virtually both years – definitely a first for this group of women.

Finally, after two years, Soroptimists from across Western Canada will be able to come together in person.  Victoria, on beautiful Vancouver Island, will play host to over 100 Soroptimists from across the four western provinces. British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. 

Conference Chair Terry Parent extended a heartfelt thank you to the local business sponsors of portions of the weekend.  “Women in Real Estate have sponsored the Opening Reception for delegates on Thursday evening. The Memorial Service held on Friday has been sponsored by Earth Option Memorial Services.  The support of local businesses for the conference and our club’s ongoing programs is key to our success and very much appreciated”

Region Governor Suzanne Heron commented on the inspiration behind the conference theme Building Back Better.  “The theme was inspired by my recent attendance at the UN’s Commission on the Status of Women. What really fired me up was the information about how recovery from the pandemic – in economies, in health, security, food and shelter, in the future of our planet – all depend on gender equality. Without women in decision-making positions, no society will regain even what we have lost, let alone move forward in a sustainable path.”

Taking place from April 28-30, delegates will be welcomed by Elizabeth May, MP Saanich-Gulf Islands who has prepared a video message for attendees.  Dr Bonnie Henry, (Provincial Health Officer for British Columbia), and Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps will be attending in person and sharing their messages with Soroptimists.

Soroptimist International of the Americas President Kazuko Morita will provide a welcome via video to those in attendance.

Delegates will take part in presentations by:

·         Charmaine Hammond, Hammond International – “Public Awareness, Building Back Better Media & Community Relations”

·         Tanna Edwards, Soroptimist International of the Americas (SIA) Board Member – “Federation Address”

·         Joan McArthur Blair, Co-President of McArthur-Blair Consulting – Keynote Address: “Building Back Better”

The Live Your Dream Award Luncheon, which is always a highlight of the weekend, will be held on Saturday, April 30th.  Each club selects recipients for Live Your Dream Awards in its community.  The top recipients name is then forwarded to the Region to be reviewed and recipients for an additional award selected.  Every year, Soroptimist distributes more than $2.8 million in education awards to about 1,700 women all over the world.

Over half of the Live Your Dream Awards recipients are survivors of domestic violence, trafficking or sexual assault. Nearly all of the women and families have overcome enormous obstacles including poverty, teen pregnancy and drug or alcohol addiction.  Live Your Dream Awards recipients may use the cash award to offset costs associated with their efforts to attain higher education, such as books, childcare, tuition and transportation.  

Saturday evening will see the installation of Officers to serve the Region for the next biennium.  The installation will take place at the Closing Banquet and be conducted by Sharon Fisher, Immediate Past President of Soroptimist International and SIA Board Member Tanna Edwards.

Attendees will return to their home clubs ready to “Build Back Better”: re-charged and with skills to bring about change while ensuring that the programs and projects already in place are best suited to serve the women and girls in their communities.

May 29, 2022

2:00-4:00PM

Tickets $30.00; available on Eventbrite

Contact: Bella Montgomery (Bella Baba) – perogiepinchersfovictoria@gmail.com; 250-634-3108

Soroptimist (Soroptimist.org) is a global volunteer organization with volunteers in 21 countries and territories, including five (5) clubs in Ukraine.

Since the start of the conflict in Ukraine, clubs around the world have rallied together to send money and needed supplies to the region.  Clubs in bordering countries have helped thousands of women and children reach safety and ensure they have what they need.

Western Canada Soroptimists have created a unique fundraiser to support the urgent need in Ukraine.  Pierogis!!  Who doesn’t love these wonderful little pockets of flavour that have for generations been made with love?

Suzanne Heron, Western Canada Region Governor, feels this fundraiser is a perfect way to show support. “Often when there are disasters, emergencies or conflicts in other parts of the world, we wonder what we can do to help that will really make a difference” she said. “For generations, when times are tough, we rally with food made with love so to be able to share stories and Ukrainian traditions is a wonderful way to send a message of support through the funds raised.  We hope that people who are not familiar with Soroptimist will join us!”

On May 29, 2022 from 2:00-4:00PM a fun, entertaining and yummy fundraiser will be held online – participants will learn how to make pierogis led by Bella Baba, who is a Soroptimist in the Victoria Westshore Club.  Join Baba Bella as she shares stories from her Ukrainian upbringing in the Canadian Prairies.  Her family’s traditions date back to 1863!

It’s only $30.00, and 100% OF PROCEEDS WILL GO TO SI EUROPE FOR THEIR UKRAINE RELIEF EFFORTS, to help women and girls.

Here’s the link to register https://pierogis-for-ukraine.eventbrite.com.  If folks can’t attend the class please consider making a small donation. Message us for details to donate.

#wcsoroptimist #perogies #bellababa #ukraine #perogiesforukraine

#perogiefundraiser