SI Penang's Girls in STEM" workshop was held on July 31 at a local girls school today. The project focuses on creating awareness in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics for the girls. A total of 80 students participated in today's program.
This project has reached more than 360 female students in the 12-14 age group since it first began 3 years ago. The project highlights the need to create employment opportunities in STEM to support the Penang State's future human resource in the technology industry.
They were very honored to have a panel of guest speakers from Micron Memory Group which gave the students a lot of ideas, advice and encouragement. The workshop also included a sharing segment of career pathways by young female engineers and interactive activities with representatives from Women Leadership Network and Employee Resource Group.
SI Penang will continue to develop this project to motivate more underprivileged girls from a young age to plan their career pathways and future
Many months in the making, SI Penang first met in early July 2022 to plan SI Penang’s main fundraiser of the year, the Soroptimist Christmas Fair 2022.
During this UN Environment Month, we come together with the global community to raise our voices against the escalating crisis of plastic pollution. This year’s theme calls us to reflect, rethink, and take action — because the health of our planet depends on the choices we make today.
At Soroptimist International South East Asia Pacific, we are deeply committed to protecting our environment through awareness, advocacy, and action. Across our region, clubs are leading initiatives that inspire change, reduce plastic waste, and promote sustainability.
Before we share ideas for club initiatives, I extend my warmest congratulations to the recipients of the Best Practice Awards announced at our Federation Meeting. Your inspiring work exemplifies the Soroptimist spirit of sustainability, innovation, and compassion. You are showing us all what impact looks like—thank you!
We also commend the many inspiring mini projects led by our clubs — from plastic reduction efforts to climate action. These local initiatives, though small in scale, are powerful agents of change that echo our shared commitment to a sustainable world.
To support this mission, clubs are encouraged to:
Organize clean-up activities in local communities
Hold plastic-free and eco-friendly events
Promote climate education and awareness in schools and public forums
From November 25 (International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women) to December 10 (Human Rights Day), we come together to raise our voices for the 16 Days of Activism to EliminateViolence against Women and Girls. This campaign is a call to action to confront and end violence in all its forms, ensuring that women and girls everywhere can live free from fear, harm, and injustice.
Violence against women and girls remains one of the most widespread, persistent human rights violations. 1 in 3 women globally experience physical or sexual violence in their lifetime. During the pandemic, rates of domestic violence surged, underscoring the need for urgent, collective action.
Increase in domestic violence: The pandemic exacerbated violence against women and girls due to lockdowns, isolation, and financial strain. Countries like France, Argentina, and Singapore reported increases in emergency calls related to domestic violence of over 25-40% in the first months of the pandemic.
UN Women Report (2021): Over 50% of women in several countries reported that they or someone they know had experienced violence since the pandemic started.
Today, violence against girls continue, with :
Child marriage: Globally, 12 million girls are married each year before the age of 18. Progress in reducing child marriage has slowed significantly over the past 5 years, with the pandemic adding millions of girls at risk of early marriage.
Female genital mutilation (FGM): 200 million girls and women alive today have undergone FGM, with countries like Somalia reporting over 90% prevalence rates among girls aged 15 to 49.
Let’s use these 16 days to:
Raise awareness: Share stories, statistics, and resources to help shed light on the issue.
Support survivors: Listen to and amplify the voices of survivors, and offer support through donations or volunteering with local shelters and organizations.
Advocate for change: Call for stronger laws, better enforcement, and expanded services to protect women and girls from violence.
Wear orange: Join the global movement by wearing orange, the color representing a brighter future without violence.
Support SISEAP in its 16 Days of Activism to Eliminate Violence Against Women and Girls Live Event on 26 November 2024.
Together, we can end the silence, dismantle harmful norms, and create a safer, more just world for women and girls. Every voice matters, and every action counts. Let’s make these 16 days a catalyst for lasting change.
Soroptimist International is a global movement of women, with members belonging to more than 3,000 clubs in 126 countries/territories, spread over 5 Federations
