Soroptimists committed to empowerment of women, girls

The Soroptimist International Barbados (SIB) continues to advocate for women and girls just like their counterpart clubs across the globe.

This is coming from a member of SIB, Sister Marguerite Woodstock-Riley who delivered a presentation on their Regional and International Affiliations at their monthly general meeting and the Installation of Her Excellency Dame Sandra Mason, GMG, DA; QC, Governor General of Barbados at the patron of the association on Monday evening at the Accra Beach Hotel and Spa.

She said that the clubs of the Caribbean and of South Africa fall under the federation of Great Britain and Ireland and that the clubs in the Caribbean are something that the members are especially proud of.

“Within the Caribbean there are two networks – the Caribbean and Southern Africa – the first club was in 1958 and then three in 1962 which was when [the club in] Barbados was formed and we have always said that whereas the men failed at forming the federation, the Soroptimists were determined to succeed as a Caribbean union and we have been meeting since 1974. There are several countries in the network now and we are hoping to include more.”

She said that they would be looking to expand their presence in the Caribbean region and are targeting St. Lucia where there are currently no Soroptimist Clubs and they are hoping that the Dame will be able to use her connections in that island to establish them there. The clubs in the region meet every two years and the next meeting is scheduled for 2019.

When it comes to their actual projects, Woodstock-Riley said that one of their projects is targeted at the young residents at the Government Industrial School (GIS), where they teach them valuable skills. They also have a literacy programme at this institution as they recognise that many of the female residents are below the required literacy levels for their particular age group.

“The first is the New Horizons at the Government Industrial School (GIS) and several things are taught there – taking care of your health… art projects, Internet safety – do’s and don’t’s, hair braiding and beading techniques. We have had first aid; we have a literacy programme where we realise that a lot of the female residents are below the literacy age and they are assisted in that. There is a resource centre where we have provided over 300 books, DVDs and kindles, and there is always the opportunity to have more.”

Another project is the equipping of marketable skills to the students of the two female-only secondary schools in this island. “We have a mentorship programme in two schools – Ursuline Convent and Springer Memorial – with a variety of topics that we speak to the girls about – job applications, managing money etc.” (PJT)