We’re excited to announce the release of Soroptimist International’s High-Level Political Forum 2022 report, which reviews progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.  This report focuses on Sustainable Development Goal 4: Education, Goal 5: Gender Equality, and Goal 17: Partnerships for Development. This year, the High-Level Political Forum will be held in New York from 5 to 15 July. It is the annual event which supports states, civil society organisations like Soroptimist International, academics and others to share knowledge and information about achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

The report features seven projects, the current and Immediate Past International President’s Appeals and one project from each of the five Soroptimist International Federations. These projects help highlight some of the approaches taken by Soroptimists in their communities to educate, empower and enable women and girls. From improving education in Cambodia and India, to leadership training in Kenya, supporting sexual health in Malaysia, improving gender equality with the Philippine Police, and working with refugees and displaced women and girls in Ukraine and surrounding countries, and Cameroon, all the work that Soroptimists do to contribute to realising the ambitions of the SDGs.

Those ambitions have been made harder with the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. This year, the High-Level Political Forum is examining how the COVID-19 has set back sustainable development progress, and what can be done to “build forward better”. With rates of gender-based violence soaring, schools and educational institutions closed or working online, health facilities increasingly inaccessible, and rates of poverty rising, women and girls worldwide have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic. Women and girls have experienced unique, gender-based challenges and discrimination, including having to take on more household and caring responsibilities in comparison to men. With hard won progress on gender equality moving backwards, these discussions are more than timely, they are critical and urgent.

Follow the links to access Soroptimist International’s report, which includes recommendations for future action:

Soroptimist International HLPF Para 89 Report 2022 I Flick Book

Soroptimist International HLPF Para 89 Report 2022 I PDF