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.
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.
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.
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
