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Soroptimist International South West Pacific

Written by SISWP HQ Administration on . Posted in President Message 2022 - 2024.

Soroptimist International of the South East Asia Pacific (SISEAP) Federation President Christine Johnstone 2022-2024

Christine Johnstone is our current President for SISEAP 2022-2024, she has been a member of SI Beenleigh Club since 1992 and has held positions including Club Secretary, Treasurer ICT Liason, Region Delegate, Programme/UN Liaison and President.

At the Federation level, she has been the Federation ICT for many years, implementing all of the modern technology communications methods. Christine has also been a team member and project manager for various versions of the SISEAP website. She has developed the specifications for and implementation of the SISEAP Programme database. She has ensured that technology has met the current business needs of the organisation. In addition to ICT, she has also held the role of Federation Public Relations and Assistant Programme Director.

Christine firmly believes that when you join an organisation you need to look for opportunities to contribute to the ongoing growth of the organisation.

It is customary for the incoming President to have a theme for her biennium and she kept coming back to the belief of how powerful our voices are. This Biennium, her vision is  "Our Voice for Change" Her aim is that "Our voice will amplify our areas of concerns" 

When President Christine became a Soroptimist, not long after a global voice for women was introduced as the tag line and is still used today. Whilst we have had other powerful tag lines, Educate Enable Empower Women inspiring action, transforming lives and We stand up for women. Christine kept coming back to - a global voice for women. She said "It still says it all for me, it makes me feel proud that my voice contributes to change worldwide."

Lets break down the meaning of it:
Global - we are an international organisation working world wide.
We are women.
And we have a Voice - this is where our power comes from, the power to create the actions and the change.

Whilst President Christine was researching her theme, she kept coming back to five core areas of concern which face us as motivators of change: 

Provide innovative education projects to ensure everyone’s right to education.

Advocate for gender equality, reduce/ing barriers to learning.

Provide micro, small business opportunities and training.

Innovative ideas which connect/provide employment opportunities.

Soroptimists will be agents of change to transform communities and cities for a sustainable future.

This is Us, working together to bring about change, it encompasses everything we as Soroptimists deliver each and every day.

"As we have done for the past 100 years let this biennium be a time where we come together. Let our voices be amplified together to bring about the change we desire."

 Find the 2022-2024 Biennium Toolkit HERE.

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Written by SISEAP WebDev on . Posted in 16 Days of Activism.

The Orange Story

Daphne White launched the “Recognising Coercive Control” online toolkit on the 30th of November 2022, on day 6 of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence.  The launch was held in her home town of Geraldton, and there was a great turnout, with both in-person and virtual attendees.  The support for the toolkit has been positive, and it is encouraging to see the interest in raising awareness of this critical topic.

I have spent 2022 completing the research and content writing for the toolkit and website,  this was made possible through the Soroptimist Western Australia "Soroptimist Leadership Awards", the grant enabling me to research and complete the website and toolkit.  

The Orange Story website  is for professionals, practitioners and other support staff wanting to increase their knowledge and skills across domestic and family violence practice, so they can enhance practice quality and improve outcomes for clients in their work roles.

Daphne supports passionate people who work alongside women experiencing domestic and family violence - in a variety of sectors and settings. Increase your knowledge so you can update your professional skills in your current role or advance into a career in domestic and family violence.

You will be able to access learning content in a variety of areas that will build your skills in a range of practice areas, but not limited to:

  • Prevention of violence against women

  • Domestic and family violence responses and interventions

  • Child safety and domestic and family violence

  • High risk of harm topics (non-fatal strangulation, coercive controlling behaviour, intimate partner sexual violence)

  • Risk management and safety planning

  • Trauma informed practice in domestic and family violence

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Written by SISEAP WebDev on . Posted in 16 Days of Activism.

Get involved,  change the statistics, help women become survivors not victims,  stop violence from happening in the first instance by changing people's attitudes and work towards respectful relationships.

Share these key messages on your socials for the 16 days, help raise awareness and restart the conversations.

  • "Harnessing technology's potential for good, we empower individuals to stand against online gender-based abuse."
  • "Technology should be safe for everyone. Let's promote digital respect and end gender-based abuse in the virtual realm."
  • "Together, we challenge the negative influence of technology and unite to create a world where everyone is treated with dignity, both online and offline."
  • "Technology can both amplify and silence voices. Let's ensure it's a tool for positive change, not a means of abuse."
  • "It's time to rewrite the narrative of online interactions. Join us in shifting digital conversations towards respect and equality."
  • "Your safety matters online. Learn how to protect yourself and others from gender-based abuse in the digital world."
    Activity

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