Dear Soroptimist’s,

October invites us to turn our attention to the rights, health and potential of girls and women. On 11 October at 11.30am AEST , the International Day of the Girl Child will be acknowledged by celebrating girls’ voices and aspirations—and we will renew our commitment to helping every girl grow up safe, healthy and able to shape her future. To highlight this day the Federation is providing a Public Speaking competition "The Power of My Voice"? Public speaking is more than delivering words, it is a catalyst for empowerment, leadership, and self-expression.

Also this month, I’m pleased to invite you to the launch of our Federation Women’s Health Campaign, “Her Health, Our Wealth,” at an online webinar on Saturday 24 October at 2.00 pm AEDT.

Across SISEAP communities, women and girls face many health challenges—from sexual and reproductive health and non-communicable diseases to mental health, gender-based violence and infectious diseases. Our campaign aims to strengthen gender-equitable health and wellbeing through community-led, evidence-based action over the next two to three years.

Awareness is an important beginning, but we want to move further: from awareness to knowledge, action, access and—where possible—better health outcomes. Each Club knows its community best. A shared planning framework can help us identify local needs, understand who is most affected, address barriers, find trusted partners and consider what changes as a result of our work.

When providing health education, I encourage Clubs to partner with qualified clinicians, health services, government health departments or recognised organisations. Reliable partners can help ensure information is accurate—and connect women and girls with the care and services they need.

The webinar will introduce the campaign, share perspectives on women’s health across our Federation, and explore practical ways Soroptimist’s can contribute. I hope you will join us and help make “Her Health, Our Wealth” a meaningful, sustained effort across SISEAP.

With warm wishes,
Anthea Penny
SISEAP 2026-2028 President

president.anthea@siseap.org

Greeting to Soroptimists throughout our Federation as we launch the new biennium theme: Empowering Futures.

First, of all as your new President , thank you for your tireless work, your compassion, and your steady commitment to improving the lives and health of women and girls across our Federation. Every project, every volunteer hour, every voice raised in advocacy has mattered.

Please take a moment to feel pride in what you and your clubs have achieved — and to know that those achievements are the firm foundation on which we will continue to build.

Our biennium emblem — Empowering Futures — captures the promise we make for the next two years: that is to continue to build a sustainable, intergenerational Federation that makes a difference for decades to come. It is a visible reminder that our work is both for today and for those who will follow us.

Over this biennium we will focus on six clear priorities.

• Firstly we will ensure a clear strategic direction so every club and every member understands where we are headed and why.
• We will strengthen communication channels, so knowledge and opportunity flow freely across appropriate messaging platforms
• We will grow intergenerational membership — welcoming and supporting younger women into leadership as well as valuing our current members. so that we stay vibrant and relevant
• We will build sustainable finances to secure our future and enlarge our impact. By exploring new fundraising opportunities
• We will govern and manage effectively, with openness and accountability. And we will continue to advocate and deliver programmes that change lives.

Soroptimists the Biennium emblem is more than a symbol — it is a call to action. I ask every club to adopt these priorities, to partner across borders, and to mentor the next generation of leaders. Share your stories, your successes, and your challenges. Support one another and together, we can turn our theme into measurable change.

In closing: let us honour our achievements, embrace the future, and commit — with courage and care — to empowering futures for women and girls across SI South East Asia Pacific. I am proud to serve with you. Let us begin that journey now

With very best wishes,

Anthea Penny

SISEAP President, 2026-2028

president.anthea@siseap.org

Last week I was in Sydney and attended a meeting at the SI Randwick Club. The speaker was Millie Weaver, the 2026 NSW Young Woman of the Year. At 27, Millie is a solicitor and the founder of the Australian Endometriosis Foundation (AEF). What began in 2023 as a peer‑support initiative has grown into a national charity of more than 1,600 members. Under Millie’s leadership the AEF launched Australia’s first Endometriosis Youth Summit and a hospital care‑pack program. “Young women deserve more than just a pamphlet; they need a community that validates their pain,” she said. Her advocacy comes at a critical time, with endometriosis now affecting one in seven Australian women."

Unsurprisingly, NSW Soroptimists are focusing their efforts on a health campaign that combines digital stories of lived experience and petitioning the NSW Government to include an Endometriosis education program in for all of the state’s public schools. I wish them every success — and this leads neatly into our forthcoming biennium campaign, “Her Health, Our Wealth,” which launches in September 2026. The Federation‑wide campaign will strengthen gender‑equitable health and wellbeing across SISEAP communities by improving access, prevention, protection and resilience through community‑led, evidence‑based interventions over a 3–5 year horizon.

Across our region women and girls face overlapping barriers to health: geographic and socioeconomic exclusion, restrictive gender norms, workforce shortages, rising NCDs, gaps in sexual and reproductive health, limited mental‑health and GBV services, immunisation and menstrual‑health challenges, and weak legal protections. Data gaps also limit targeted action.

What SISEAP can do:

• Advocate for better data, HPV vaccination, contraception and GBV protections.
• Pilot community programmes (screening drives, MHH kits, mobile outreach) with clear KPIs.
• Build regional peer networks (mentors, website champions, youth ambassadors) to share tools and evidence.
• Partner with local NGOs, health services and donors to scale proven interventions.
• Support survivors with confidential referral pathways and trauma‑informed volunteer training.
• Campaign and fundraise to resource initiatives  that support “Her Health, Our Wealth.”

I look forward to working with you to make a real difference in the lives of the women and girls in our Federation.

Anthea Penny

SISEAP President, 2026-2028

president.anthea@siseap.org