Debate, Soroptimists | Girls and women are agents of change for a sustainable society
Reader letter This is a debate post, written by an external contributor. The post expresses the writer’s attitudes.
March 8 has stood as the international day for action for women’s struggles and rights since 1975. But it started as early as 1910, at an international conference in Copenhagen to support women’s rights and campaign for women’s suffrage. Markings of 8 March have drawn attention to various women’s political themes, including the fight against sexual harassment #metoo, and the Bunadsgeriljaen, which fights for proximity to a safe and good food supply throughout Norway.
Soroptimist International sees that pandemics and climate change are leading to a shortage of food production, which in turn is leading to increased poverty, conflict and oppression. Women’s local knowledge and participation in decision-making processes make them important agents of change for sustainable societies around the world.
Women can contribute with concrete insight into the consequences of climate change and must therefore be involved in making decision-makers and solutions. Sustainable approach must include the three pillars of social conditions, economic conditions and environmental considerations. Sustainable work must take gender equality to a higher level than just showing that gender equality quotas have been met. And there are, for example, still large structural wage differences between men and women, without any good explanation as to why this must be the case.
It is necessary to change the approach that seeks to arrive at the best and most sustainable results for the individual, families and society. Soroptimists believe that women will be particularly important as agents of change and decision-makers for a better and more sustainable future. To succeed in a sustainable society, everyone must have the right to education, because girls and women must participate at all levels of society.
Soroptimist International works around the world to engage young women to exercise their right to vote and to help more girls go to school and complete their education. In order for women to be able to participate in working life and be financially independent, daycare coverage is an important basis for an equal society.
Through the Norwegian Soroptimists’ education fund for women, Gjøvik Soroptimist Club contributes to girls and women in developing countries receive educational scholarships. The club collects used dresses and arranges dress sales, where the proceeds go in full to this fund.