About the Soroptimist International Club of Bangkok (SIB)
The Soroptimist International Club of Bangkok (SIB) is part of Soroptimist International, a worldwide organisation for professional women who volunteer their time to work on projects that promote human rights and raise the status of women.
“Chartered in 1977, our mandate is to inspire action and create opportunities for women and children through advocating for equality, promoting safe and healthy environments, increasing access to education, and developing skills for a sustainable future.”
In Thailand, there are two chapters of Soroptimist of Bangkok International: SIB and its sister club Soroptimist of Dusit (SID). Each club meets once a month for lunch or dinner, to discuss club business such as our fundraising projects, provide networking opportunities among professional women, and occasionally listen to guest speakers. Recent speakers have covered diverse topics, from the status of women and girls in Afghanistan to how to build an engaged and community-driven dialogue to address the deep-seated issues surrounding interpersonal violence. Throughout its four decades of existence, SIB has focused on education, funding scholarships, building dormitories and toilets in rural schools, and supporting vocational training for poor women and women prisoners.
“All women with professional backgrounds in any industry or business are welcome to join us at our monthly meeting, to learn more about who we are and what we do to improve the lives of girls and women in Thailand.”
In addition, our club supports student nurses studying under the Queen Mother’s Foundation nursing programme. We hire nannies to care for children at the Pakkret orphanage. We developed an award-winning Cross Stitch of Love Project that helps hilltribe women in remote villages in Chiang Rai to market their remarkable cross stitch handicraft, generating income for themselves and their families. The club also supports the Siriraj Project, funding boarding for low-income families with gravely ill children under palliative care.
This year, under the helm of new President Niru Narula Chansrichawla, SIB will also turn towards promoting sustainable development, working to reduce the use of disposable plastics and air pollution. According to Greenpeace, poor air quality shortens the lives of 50,000 people in Thailand annually, while negatively affecting the health of 2 million people in SE Asia. Planting a tree improves air quality by cooling the area and removing pollutants within a 100 foot radius. While Thailand is top 5 worst polluters of plastic in the world generating almost one million tons annually.
“It is our responsibility to look after mother nature for this generation and for generations to come,” says Niru. “Guided by the UN Sustainable Development Goals, going green and reducing plastic are pressing issues in today’s world.” All women with professional backgrounds in any industry or business are welcome to join us at our monthly meeting, to learn more about who we are and what we do to improve the lives of girls and women in Thailand. We meet every second Wednesday of the month for lunch at the Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel.
For more information or to get in touch, please visit www.sibangkok.org or follow our facebook page: Soroptimist International Club of Bangkok.
