I came across an article about Rama, a Syrian woman, who was lured to Lebanon under the pretense of a job opportunity. Upon arrival, she was confined in a derelict house in Jounieh, a city known for its red-light district. There, she and other women were subjected to inhumane conditions, including forced labor and sexual exploitation. The windows were painted black, and they were not allowed to leave the premises. Rama described the experience as being akin to slavery, stating, "We slept where we worked and we couldn’t go out, not even to see the light outside." Her testimony aligns with details obtained independently by The Guardian from security and judicial sources involved in the investigation of the network. The operation enslaved 75 Syrian women over four years before being dismantled by authorities.

Rama's story underscores the vulnerability of displaced women and girls to trafficking and exploitation. UNODC data in recognition of World Day Against Trafficking in Persons (30 July 2025) recorded :

• 69,627 victims of human trafficking were detected globally in 2022 — a 25% increase from 2019 levels (pre-pandemic).

• Women and children remain disproportionately affected:

- Women: 39%

- Girls: 22%

- Boys: 16%

- Children overall: 38% of total cases

Exploitation trends are shifting. Forced labor now accounts for the largest share (42%), overtaking sexual exploitation (36%). Victims are increasingly being trafficked into online fraud, cyber scams, and financial crime. Organized crime: Traffickers are adapting quickly, exploiting migration routes, border vulnerabilities, and digital platforms.

Relevance to World Day Against Trafficking in Persons 2025 (July 30)

The 2025 theme, “Leave No One Behind,” calls for stronger inclusion and protection for the most vulnerable: children, migrants, people with disabilities, Indigenous communities, and conflict-affected populations.

Here are some actionable steps to minimise human trafficking :

• Raise Awareness and Education
• Conduct workshops and campaigns to educate communities about trafficking risks and signs.
• Use social media to spread information on how trafficking operates and how to report it.
• Empower Vulnerable Communities
• Promote economic opportunities and education to reduce vulnerability.
• Ensure accessible shelters, counseling, legal aid, and reintegration programs for survivors.
• Promote Community Vigilance
• Encourage communities to report suspicious activities safely and anonymously.
• Support local watchdog groups and victim hotlines.

Human trafficking is a complex, evolving crime that thrives in the shadows—but together, we have the power to shine a light. Every effort counts, whether it’s educating a neighbor, advocating for stronger laws, or supporting survivors on their path to healing.

Stand informed, stay vigilant, and speak out. Let’s be the change. Let’s end human trafficking—today and every day.

Joanne Yeoh

SISEAP President, 2024-2026

president.joanne@siseap.org

For years, we’ve celebrated October as Membership Month, but after thoughtful review, the Membership Team recognized that April presents a better opportunity to spark growth. By focusing on membership in April, clubs will have more time throughout the year to engage potential new members and expand our network.

That said, this October brings an exciting opportunity for Soroptimist International with the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) being held in Samoa. This event has given our Federation Membership Team a unique moment to reignite the spirit of SI Samoa. We owe a huge thanks to the 2022–2024 Federation Membership Team, led by Yvonne Simpson, for their incredible work in identifying dynamic, passionate women in Samoa who are poised to lead the club’s revitalization.

With global attention on Samoa’s efforts to strengthen community resilience, promote gender equality, and tackle critical issues like healthcare access, the timing couldn’t be more perfect. Adding to the significance is the visit of Soroptimist International President Siew Yong Gnanalingam to the SI Samoa Club, where she will officially launch SI Samoa’s latest groundbreaking initiative, the Savaii Mobile Clinic Project. This project aims to provide crucial healthcare services to remote areas, embodying our mission to improve lives.

For nearly 50 years, SI Samoa has been a beacon of hope, making a profound difference in the lives of women and girls through projects that champion health, education, and well-being. A few highlights include:

• School Scholarships – Empowering girls through education
• Water Tank Projects – Bringing clean water to communities in need
• Prosthetic Limbs for Amputees – Restoring independence and dignity
• Health Education Programs – Preventing illness and promoting wellness
• Support for the Children’s Ward at the local hospital
• The Twins and Triplets Support Program – Providing care and essentials during those critical early years of life

As SI Samoa proudly showcases its innovative project, led by a new wave of vibrant members, I am confident that we can grow the club’s membership and strengthen its impact even further. This is a golden opportunity for new potential members in Samoa to join our global movement – a movement of women dedicated to driving meaningful change.

Membership is the heartbeat of Soroptimist International. Through the power and passion of our members, we continue to empower women and girls, advocate for positive change, and create a lasting impact in our communities. The retention of our valued members is crucial to sustaining the important work we do. Whether you’ve just joined or have been with us for years, your contribution matters, and together, we are creating a ripple effect that transforms lives.

I encourage each of you to stay engaged, stay inspired, and continue on this incredible journey with us. Let’s also extend our reach by inviting others who share our vision. By growing our membership, we ensure that Soroptimist International remains a dynamic and impactful force for good.

Together, we are unstoppable!

Joanne Yeoh

SISEAP President, 2024-2026

swppresident2020@siswp.org

10 December is Human Rights Day.  We renew our commitment to upholding the universal principles of dignity, equality, and justice, recognizing that gender equality is fundamental to realizing human rights. Education, a powerful enabler of equality, remains out of reach for millions of women and girls worldwide. According to the 2024 UNESCAP report, limited access to education disproportionately affects women and perpetuates cycles of poverty and inequality, particularly in regions where cultural and systemic barriers restrict girls’ schooling.

Globally, over 129 million girls are out of school, according to the UN. The gender gap in education fuels disparities in employment opportunities, wages, and political representation. In the Asia-Pacific region, the intersection of poverty, rural living, and discrimination worsens this divide. Without urgent investment in education, we risk entrenching inequality for generations.

At the Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on the Beijing+30 Review held in Bangkok from 19-21 November 2024, I had the privilege to represent Soroptimist International during the round table session titled : Advancing women’s economic empowerment through employment, decent work, social protection and entrepreneurship.

In its intervention statement, Soroptimist International highlighted its mission to empower girls through educational opportunities, vital to enabling them to pursue their ambitions – the first step towards women’s liberation.  Education is not only a fundamental human right but also a tool for breaking the cycle of poverty and fostering sustainable development.

“Educating a girl brings lifelong benefits: in adulthood, she is more likely to become financially independent, raise healthier children, gain community respect and seek help, if in an abusive relationship. So, we advocate for gender equality in schools to give girls an equal opportunity to succeed.

While the world has made significant strides in bridging the gender gap in education, crucial work remains to be done, especially in advancing this goal across the Global South. The high dropout rate among girls remains a critical issue, with many facing early marriage and increased risks of violence and abuse.

In 2019, one in five women married before 18. Raising the legal marriage age and keeping girls in school longer are key to reducing child marriage, exploitation and violence. A multifaceted approach is essential: policies should support retention, allowing girls to repeat a grade, if needed. Cultural perceptions of girls must shift, with Governments playing a key role in challenging gender stereotypes through campaigns, media and education. Building more schools in rural areas, ensuring such facilities as toilets, and employing more female teachers can make schools safer and more accessible for girls.”

Today, let us pledge to advocate for inclusive and equitable education systems.

✨ As we celebrate the joys of the season, let us carry forward the spirit of hope and renewal into the new year. May 2025 bring opportunities to empower, engage, and elevate ourselves and those around us. Together, let’s create a brighter and more inclusive future. Cheers to a year filled with happiness, growth, and success!

Joanne Yeoh

SISEAP President, 2024-2026

president.joanne@siseap.org

As we celebrate Education Day (24 January), let us reflect on the transformative power of education in shaping individuals, communities, and the future of our world. Education is not just a fundamental right but a cornerstone for achieving equality, opportunity, and empowerment.

As Soroptimists, we are committed to advancing Sustainable Development Goal 4: Quality Education. This goal reminds us that inclusive and equitable education is essential for breaking the cycle of poverty, reducing inequalities, and fostering innovation.

Together, let us continue to champion initiatives that:

• Support lifelong learning opportunities for women and girls.
• Provide access to quality education in underserved communities.
• Advocate for policies that promote gender equality in education.

Let us take pride in celebrating the remarkable impact of our Soroptimist clubs across South East Asia Pacific for the year 2024 as shown in the video and the statistics below.

Every effort we make—no matter how small—brings us closer to a world where everyone has the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive. Together, we can empower generations to come.

Joanne Yeoh

SISEAP President, 2024-2026

president.joanne@siseap.org

As we celebrate International Women’s Day 2025, let us be reminded that true gender equality must uplift and include all women, everywhere. This year’s theme, "For all women and all: Rights. Equality. Empowerment.", reinforces the urgent need for collective action to ensure that no woman is left behind in the pursuit of justice, opportunity, and dignity.

Women of all backgrounds, abilities, and circumstances deserve access to education, economic security, safety, and leadership opportunities. Achieving true equality requires dismantling systemic barriers, challenging biases, and fostering environments where women can thrive.

Empowerment is more than just a vision—it’s a call to action. Investing in women strengthens communities, drives economic growth, and creates a more just and prosperous future for all.

This IWD 2025, let’s turn our commitment into action:
✅ Advocate – Raise awareness about gender equality and speak up against discrimination in your community and workplace.
✅ Support – Mentor and uplift women, especially those facing additional barriers.
✅ Give Back – Volunteer or donate to organizations dedicated to women's education, safety, and economic empowerment.
✅ Educate – Learn and share knowledge about gender issues to inspire meaningful conversations and change.
✅ Engage – Encourage policies and initiatives that promote women's rights and inclusion in all sectors.

To assist you in crafting programmes and actions, you may want to refer to the SISEAP IWD 2025 tool kit in the February eSPAN, also available from the link below. 

Let’s unite in championing a world where every woman has the rights, opportunities, and support she deserves. Because when all women rise, society rises with them.

#IWD2025 #RightsEqualityEmpowerment #ForAllWomen

Joanne Yeoh

SISEAP President, 2024-2026

president.joanne@siseap.org

My First Experience at CSW69: A Journey of Advocacy, Reflection, and Action

Attending the 69th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69) at the United Nations was a truly transformative experience. As a first-time participant, I was immersed in a global dialogue that not only celebrated progress but also critically examined the persistent gaps in gender equality and women's rights. The energy, passion, and commitment of advocates, policymakers, and civil society leaders were palpable, reinforcing the urgent need to accelerate action towards gender justice.

A Platform for Global Advocacy

CSW69 provided a unique opportunity to engage with thought leaders and changemakers from around the world. The plenary sessions, panel discussions, and side events highlighted key issues such as economic empowerment, gender-based violence, climate justice, and digital inclusion. Witnessing the collective effort to shape policies and initiatives reaffirmed the importance of global solidarity in advancing women's rights.

Reflecting on Beijing +30: Progress and Challenges

This year’s CSW session held special significance as it marked 30 years since the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action in 1995. The Beijing +30 review served as a critical moment to assess achievements and identify areas where progress has stalled.

Over the past three decades, the Beijing Platform for Action has been a guiding framework for gender equality. It has led to significant strides in education, legal rights, and political participation for women. However, challenges remain—gender-based violence persists at alarming rates, the gender pay gap continues to disadvantage women, and the impact of crises such as climate change and conflicts disproportionately affect women and girls.

As I return from CSW69, I carry with me a renewed sense of purpose. The voices of women from diverse backgrounds, sharing their struggles and successes, serve as a powerful reminder that change is possible when we stand together. The journey continues, and the fight for gender equality must remain a priority—not just for women, but for society as a whole.

Let me repeat the advice from UN Secretary General António Guterres, “ Power is never given, it needs to be taken. When policies are formulated, women organisations should mobilise themselves to create that political power and use the tools of technology as much as possible. They will hear you if you shout loud enough”. Let us mobilise ourselves and shout loud enough to turn words into action and ensuring that the promises of Beijing +30 become a lived reality for all women and girls.

Joanne Yeoh

SISEAP President, 2024-2026

president.joanne@siseap.org

As we reflect on our achievements and look towards the future, it has become increasingly clear that enhancing our branding and visibility is vital to SISEAP’s continued success and growth. Despite its long history, SI is still not as well-known to the general public compared to other large international NGOs, hence the quote “SI is the best kept secret”.

Branding is more than just a logo or a tagline—it's the story we tell about who we are, what we stand for, and the impact we make. A strong brand helps us connect with the public, attract new members, and inspire donors to support our mission. It also ensures that when people think about gender equality and the empowerment of women, Soroptimist International is the first name that comes to mind.

In today's digital age, our brand is shaped largely by how we present ourselves online, particularly on social media. Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn are not just tools for communication; they are powerful engines for engagement and advocacy. By leveraging these platforms effectively, we can reach a broader audience, share our stories more compellingly, and mobilize support on a larger scale.

Here are some of the ways you can help :

1. Be active and engaged:

• If you haven't already, follow our official SISEAP accounts on social media. Like, share, and comment on posts to help boost our visibility.
• Be active on your own region or club facebook or instagram.Social media is a great way to share the amazing work you're doing in your local communities. By showcasing your efforts, you contribute to the global narrative of our impact.
• Based on statistics compiled by the Communications Team, Facebook is the most popular social media platform in Australia (60% of users), Indonesia (45%), Malaysia (44%), New Zealand (58%).
• If possible, post press releases to the print media on projects, events and focus articles such as the latest article of the Edge Options (Malaysia) featuring our SI President, Siew Yong Gnanalingam “the first Asian President of Soroptimist International”

2. Use Consistent Branding:

When posting about Soroptimist activities, use our official logos, hashtags, and messaging guidelines. This consistency strengthens our brand and makes our presence more recognizable.

Access to SISEAP branding: 

3. Invite Others to Join:

Encourage friends, family, and colleagues to follow our social media pages and learn more about the work we do. Personal recommendations are powerful tools for expanding our network.

4. Participate in Online Campaigns:

We will be launching several online campaigns in the coming months. Your participation is crucial to their success. By engaging with these campaigns, you help amplify our voice and the important issues we address.

Together, we can enhance the visibility of Soroptimist International and ensure that our mission resonates with people around the world. Let’s work together to make our brand as powerful and impactful as the work we do.

Joanne Yeoh

SISEAP President, 2024-2026

swppresident2020@siswp.org

Join Us – Make Your Voice Count at the Upcoming SISEAP Meetings

Dear Members,

I warmly invite you to participate in our upcoming Company Annual General Meeting and Company Meeting (10 May 2025), and Federation Meeting (18 May 2025). These are not just important governance events—they are valuable opportunities to celebrate our achievements, connect across the region, and contribute to the future of Soroptimist International South East Asia Pacific (SISEAP).

Together, we’ve made great strides in Membership (unfortunately, our 2025 membership numbers could be better) and Programme success—now it’s time to come together, reflect, and shape what comes next.

At the Federation Meeting, we will:

• Celebrate the successes of our clubs across the Federation;
• Present the Best Practice Awards for outstanding achievements in Membership and Programme work;
• Share current developments and key updates from our countries across the Region

As we prepare, I kindly remind all clubs to:

> Register your official delegate for voting and representation;

>  Complete the Question Form to ensure your concerns and ideas are heard;

Member (clubs) would have received the audited accounts and papers as per the agenda attached and are invited to submit questions to the Directors and/or the Auditors.

>   Submit the Silent Observers Form for members wishing to attend without voting rights;

And most importantly, make your vote matter—your input is vital in guiding our direction.

These meetings are your platform to:

• Celebrate our progress as a collective;
• Find out what’s happening across SISEAP and take ideas back to your clubs;
• Contribute fresh ideas to strengthen our strategy and impact;
• Support the leadership team as we work together to grow membership and amplify our reach.

Your voice, your ideas, and your presence can shape the future of SISEAP. Let’s stand united, inspired, and committed to moving forward—together.

Joanne Yeoh

SISEAP President, 2024-2026

president.joanne@siseap.org

In the month of July, SISEAP saw important changes in our company leadership.

It is with deep sadness that we share the news of the passing of our Past Federation President and Company Secretary, Carolyn Hudson. Her contributions to SISEAP were invaluable, and her absence will be profoundly felt by all who knew her.

Carolyn was a beacon of dedication and service, always going above and beyond in her efforts to support and uplift others. Her unwavering commitment and tireless work have left an indelible mark on our organization, and her legacy of kindness and generosity will continue to inspire us all.

In these challenging times, we are also reminded of the importance of continuity in the work she was so passionate about. We are fortunate that Theresa Lyford has stepped up to take on the position of new Company Secretary. Theresa brings a wealth of corporate experience to our organization, which is expected to bring enhanced organisational governance, strategic insight, and a renewed focus on operational efficiency to our team.

Additionally, we are excited to welcome Jemma Arundel, an experienced fundraising consultant, to our team. Her expertise will be crucial in building financial support for our organization, enabling us to enhance our programs and services. Jemma is expected to develop and implement comprehensive fundraising strategies, cultivate donor relationships, and expand our funding base.

As we embrace these leadership changes, we also recognise the importance of effective communication within our community. Virtual communications platforms play a vital role in keeping our members connected, engaged, and informed. We are committed to ensuring that our members feel at ease using these platforms and are familiar with their functionalities. Pursuant to feedback from members regarding the lack of knowledge of using the GoTo Meeting platform and their request to adopt the Zoom platform as an alternative, the Federation has purchased Zoom Pro for the use by clubs, regions and Federation.

The purchase of the Zoom platform has proved to be a right decision as Hanaa Abdullah, our Federation Communications will attest to her communications survey form which alluded that 70% of the respondents use Zoom as their preferred communications platform. For those who wish to utilise the use of the Federation Zoom Pro, please contact Federation Secretary, Berice : swpsecretary2020@siswp.org.

We are confident that these changes will strengthen our leadership team as we strive to strengthen our mission of empowering, engaging and elevating women and girls.

Joanne Yeoh

SISEAP President, 2024-2026

swppresident2020@siswp.org

We are entering our 2nd month in this Biennium and I can see that everyone on the Federation team is settling into their new roles with gusto!

I wish to say, for any of us who are transitioning into new roles and navigating new tech and systems, it is ok to feel lost for a bit. However, no one is alone in SISEAP. We all work in teams, and we’re here to help each other, to support each other and travel this journey together. Please do contact us if you need assistance in any SISEAP work, whether at club level, national, regional or Federation levels. Our door is always open!

On another note, did you know that June is Environment Month?  This biennium, SISEAP will celebrate and focus on 4 special UN Days. We begin with Environment Month (June), followed by Day of the Girl Child in October, 16 Days of Activism for the elimination of gender based violence in November/December and International Women’s Day in March.  

L-R: SI President Siew Yong, SISEAP President Joanne, SIROM President Lay Ean. 

As part of June's Environment Month celebrations, on 22 June 2024, SI Region of Malaysia celebrated the Sustainable Food Security Project Day at its project in Bentong, 80 km from Kuala Lumpur. I was honoured to be part of the organising committee, who brought together the Malaysia Soroptimists to be involved with the Region project, a project which addresses one of the most pressing global challenges: ensuring sustainable food security. SI International President Siew Yong Gnanalingam also attended together with her Club members.

Sustainable food security is not merely about providing enough food for all; it encompasses the entire food system, including production, distribution, consumption, and waste management. It aims to ensure that everyone has access to nutritious, safe, and sufficient food while maintaining the health of the environment.

As we celebrate Environment Month, let us remember that sustainable food security is a cornerstone of a sustainable future. Together, we can make a difference, one meal at a time.

I believe many other clubs across the Federation have also embarked on their environment project days and I look forward to hearing about the diverse and impactful projects.

Together, we Empower, we Engage and we Elevate more women in South East Asia Pacific.

Joanne Yeoh

SISEAP President, 2024-2026