The SISWP 22nd Conference of Clubs 2020 opens with Indonesian Images

At its 22nd Conference of Clubs, hosted in Indonesia from the 21-23 November, 2020, for the first time in the 99 year history of the organization, the federation of the Soroptimist International South West Pacific (SISWP) encouraged women around the world to unite, stand up and create pathways to prosperity.

Marking the 100 years of the organization, this Conference of the Clubs emphasized the significance of solidarity among women, especially in times of crises such as the current pandemic.

Throughout decades, women have been facing unique challenges. Now that the world is being struck by an invisible challenge, the role of women to heal the community is more crucial than ever.

“It’s time for us to move on and take charge. Renew, reset, restart, reconnect, reorganize our values and priorities. Be purposeful,” said Dato Anusha Santhirasthipam, the SISWP Federation President Biennium 2018-2020.

Titled "Prospering Rural and Indigenous Women: Our Tapestry for Transformation," the three day conference welcomed delegates from dozens of nation who aspire to bring about change for a bright future.

“Following the success of past bienniums, it is very apt to continue what has been started with some priority areas such as promoting social enterprising and developing projects across borders,” said Suman Lata Lal, the SISWP Federation President Biennium 2020-2022.

Among the conference’s high-profile speakers were Indonesia’s Minister of Education and Culture of Indonesia, Nadiem Makarim, and the Netherland’s Princess Mabel of Oranje-Nassau, Founder and Board Chair of “Girls not Brides: The Global Partnership to End Child Marriage”.

In his keynote speech, Minister Makarim mentioned the complexities surrounding Indonesian young women and the need to prioritize equal education. “Data reveals that female students have higher percentage of performing domestic chores compared to male students. This might be based on certain cultural mindsets where girls should only do domestic work and do not need education” he said.

The Minister of Education later argued that such thoughts lead to gender stereotyping and prioritising females for marriage rather than for education especially in the rural areas.

“We must keep innovating and implementing strategies to ensure wider access to education for all and change the part of the cultural mindsets. And for that, we are happy to work hand in hand with organisations including Soroptimist International in dealing with this challenge,” said Minister Makarim.

According to the 2017 Indonesian Government’s Demographic and Health Survey, 16% of Indonesian girls or 1,78 million girls in Indonesia were getting married early.

As a human rights activist and founder of Girls Not Brides: The Global Partnership to End Child Marriage, a global network of more than 1,500 civil society organisations in over 100 countries, Princess Mabel believes that poverty comes as a driving factor in girls being married as children. She further stated that in many countries, particularly in poorer and rural areas, daughters are commonly married off as an economic survival strategy for poorer families.

“Child marriage is rooted in gender inequality. It happens to girls because they are girls and they are less valued than boys. Discriminatory norms around a girl’s value, sexuality and role in society drive and allow this harmful traditional practice to continue,” the sister-in-law of King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands added. She, therefore, promotes empowerment by providing girls, both those at-risk of child marriage and those already married, with the skills, knowledge and networks to become agents of change in their own lives.

“We need to make sure that girls can access youth and girl-friendly health services, or to get a quality education – either through formal school, or informal education opportunities.”

In times of pandemic, Princess Mabel adds that governments around the world should ensure that girls under 18 will have continuous access and retention in education, psychosocial support, and sexual and reproductive health services as part of their COVID-19 responses. “It is important that we’re heading toward a more inclusive COVID recovery response for girls and women,” Suman Lal added.

About Soroptimist International:

Soroptimist International consists of five Federations: Soroptimist International Africa Federation, Soroptimist International of the Americas, Soroptimist International of Europe, Soroptimist International of Great Britain & Ireland and Soroptimist International of the South West Pacific. A global volunteer movement, we work together to transform the lives of women and girls. Our network of around 72,000 club members in 121 countries works at a local, national and international level to Educate, Empower and Enable opportunities for women and girls. https://www.soroptimistinternational.org/