It all started with a coffee in January 2022 between SI Clubs Dubai and Witten Ruhr (Germany). From that one event, a partnership with the UN’s Health4Life Fund and Soroptimist International Africa Federation began.
Today, one woman dies from cervical cancer every two minutes. It strikes women decades after they have been infected by the HPV virus, often going unnoticed until it is too late to cure. Africa is the hardest hit region in the world, with 321 women hearing the words ‘you have cervical cancer’ every day. However, there are cost-effective means to prevent and treat the disease, sparing women from this invisible killer.
One year after the first meeting, members of SIE Gulf-Dubai and Witten Ruhr were discussing campaign planning with SI Kenya Network President, Dr Victoria Kutto, and Soroptimist members in Nairobi.
Left to right (standing): Aisha Abdulrahman (SI Milimani), Renate Wernery (SI Gulf Dubai President), Dr. Victoria Kutto (SI Kenya Network President), Ulrike Neubert (SI Mombasa), Florence Omol (SI Milimani), Connier Gehrken (SI Witten Ruhr & God mother SI Gulf Dubai), Mary Muia (UN Representative and God mother SI Nairobi Central), June Omolo (SI Milimani), Beatrice Oluoch (UN Representative), Khayanga Wasike (SI Kenya Network)
Left to Right (squatting): Juliet Wamiri (SI Milimani), Emma Brown – (SI Gulf Dubai), Everline Mugenya (SI Milimani), Nassim Djabbari (SI Gulf Dubai)
Shortly thereafter, the first ‘invisible’ fundraising campaign was launched for the elimination of cervical cancer by selling ‘invisible’ seats and tables to the Soroptimist International Africa Federation’s (SIAF) conference gala held this May in South Africa. There, SIE Gulf-Dubai Founding Member and past President, Linda Merieau, announced to over 100 SIAF members, that their Federation Board, alongside 22 pioneering SIE Clubs had sponsored 190 ‘invisible’ tables. This provided the first funding for an Africa-wide campaign, launched in collaboration with the United Nations Health4Life Fund. In total, 2,375 ‘invisible’ guests attended in spirit, which raised over 16,620 Euros from SIE, SIGBI and SIAF Clubs.
At the same event in Durban, Soroptimist Clubs heard from Dr Linda Naidoo, UNFPA KwaZulu-Natal on the challenges and opportunities for awareness-raising activities. They took away first-hand experience from Dr Netshinombelo, Director for Maternal, Child, Women’s Health, Nutrition and Food Services, Kwazulu Natal, Department of Health, (South Africa) on how their province is working toward eliminating cervical cancer. They also exchanged ideas for fundraising campaigns and left energised to make a difference.
From left to right: Linda Merieau (Partnership Lead, Health4Life, Fund & Past President SI Gulf Dubai), Connie Mutunhu (Immediate Past President SIAF), Jalila Moufqia (SIAF President), Mary Muia (UN Representative in Nairobi)
Since the initial collaboration began, it has grown into a fully-fledged partnership with the United Nations to engage Soroptimists across Africa in the fight against cervical cancer. Soroptimists Clubs will work alongside the United Nations and other partners to raise awareness among pre-teen girls and women on the importance of vaccination and early screening.
Make a difference and show your support for our sisters in Africa by hosting your own ‘invisible’ fundraising campaign and marking global Cervical Cancer Elimination Day of Action this 17th November or by making a donation today: