Cardiff hosts Soroptimists' conference on women's issues

Soroptimist International Great Britain and Ireland will hold its 92nd annual conference in Cardiff, bringing together more than 400 delegates from one of the UK's largest women's organisations.

The two-day gathering will focus on projects aimed at improving the lives of women and girls, alongside discussion of issues including artificial intelligence, public safety, health and literacy. Speakers include global digital strategist Tiffany St James, former Olympian Michelle Griffith-Robinson, filmmaker and human rights advocate Leslee Udwin, and health campaigner Cathy Cotteridge.

The conference will also highlight the scale of the organisation's recent activity. Over the past year, it launched 1,572 projects across 19 countries, contributed 93,181 volunteer hours, directly supported 167,858 women and girls, and raised nearly £460,000 for local and international initiatives.

Soroptimist International Great Britain and Ireland is part of the wider Soroptimist movement and operates through 248 clubs across the UK, Ireland, Malta, Asia and the Caribbean. Its work focuses on education, health, poverty, equality and human rights for women and girls, and it holds consultative status at the United Nations.

AI focus

Artificial intelligence is set to feature prominently in the programme. St James is expected to address how organisations such as SIGBI can use AI in their operations, as debate grows over the opportunities and risks the technology presents for women and girls, as well as the broader gender gap in the technology sector.

The subject has become more prominent for charities and membership organisations looking for new tools to manage operations, communications and outreach while balancing concerns over responsible adoption, bias and access. For women's organisations, those debates also extend to representation in the development of AI systems and whether emerging technologies reinforce or reduce existing inequalities.

Range of issues

Other sessions will turn to practical issues that have shaped the charity's work. Cotteridge will discuss efforts to raise awareness of human papillomavirus and cervical cancer prevention, including work intended to improve uptake of screening and vaccination programmes.

Griffith-Robinson is due to open Saturday's programme with a session on her move from elite sport into business and women's health advocacy. Udwin will speak about education and social change through the Think Equal initiative and her documentary India's Daughter.

A separate discussion will feature children's author Anne Stairmand and former detective superintendent Jennifer McLelland, who are set to examine how literacy support can affect the lives of women and children living in domestic abuse refuges.

Safety concerns

Among the initiatives highlighted at the conference is a renewed investigation into women's safety on the rail network. Its "Future of the Railways" work, based on surveys at more than 373 stations, found continuing concerns over staffing, safety information and emergency support.

Those findings echo concerns first raised nearly three decades ago about women's safety on public transport. The results add to wider scrutiny of passenger safety and confidence across the transport system, particularly for women travelling alone.

The conference will also include internal awards recognising projects judged to have delivered change in communities in the UK and overseas. The Programme Action Awards and the Delegates' Choice Award are intended to showcase work by members at local and international level.

Gillie O'Rourke, president of Soroptimist International Great Britain and Ireland, said: "We're delighted to be welcoming members from across Great Britain and Ireland to Cardiff for what promises to be an inspiring and impactful weekend. The conference is an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of our members, share best practice and be inspired by an outstanding programme of speakers.

"Over the past 12 months, our volunteers have shown extraordinary commitment to improving the lives of women and girls, championing equality and supporting communities. I'm incredibly proud of everything we have achieved together, and I look forward to recognising that impact as we come together in Cardiff."