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Margaret Clark, Associate Program Director, SIGBI Visit

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Margaret Clark, the Assistant Programme Director, Soroptimist International of Great Britain and Ireland visited Soroptimist International of Bombay Chembur on 5th February, 2018. They were happy to have along with them Andria, a member of SI Barbados (Past President Barbados and current PAC Barbados).The objective of her visit was to meet members of SI clubs in Mumbai and share advocacy objectives of SIGBI.

SI Bombay Chembur Founder President Dr. Daphne Pillai, NASI President Dr. Lata Krishnan along with other club members meeting Margaret Clark, APD Advocacy, SIGBI and Andrea Sinnot, Past President and present PAC, SI Barbados

SI Bombay Chembur Founder President Dr. Daphne Pillai, NASI President Dr. Lata Krishnan along with other club members at their skill development program with Margaret Clark, APD Advocacy, SIGBI and Andrea Sinnot, Past President and present PAC, SI Barbados

NASI president and active SIBC member, Dr. Lata Krishnan at the Gateway of India with Margaret Clark, APD Advocacy, SIGBI and Andrea Sinnot, Past President and present PAC, SI Barbados.

NASI of India and SIBC organized a lunch meeting. Margaret Clark explained with illustrations the importance of Advocacy. She said we have to be the voice of the voiceless. It is important that we move the government, policy framers, and decision takers to draw their attention to the matters that affect women and the girl child. While doing meaningful projects it is important to disseminate information to society and urge the government to issues of importance. Signature campaigns over social media today are a successful way of gathering momentum for a movement. Present at the meeting, Andria talked about advocacy in Barbados mentioning that people there are closely connected to the government and they have easy access to the decision makers. Margaret Clark explained how she had spearheaded several initiatives and the ease of approaching and discussing with government officials in the UK. The challenges in India for advocacy were brought out by SIBC members with the difficulties of direct access to government officials. They remarked that the problems in India are varied and have greater challenges than in Barbados and the UK. The interactions were interesting and a good learning for all who participated.

After the lunch meeting in the Pillai Campus, New Panvel the team travelled to the Dr. K. M. Vasudevan Pillai’s Rasayani Campus to see the Skill Development Department class rooms and laboratories where skill development classes were undertaken for the rural students. Girls and boys from the villages in Rasayani who had dropped out from schools and colleges enrolled for the Skill Development Classes organized by Dr. K. M. Vasudevan Pillai, Rasayani Campus with the support and faculty help and coordination of SIBC members. The tour through the Electrical workshop, Plumbing Workshop and Beautician’s parlour was an exciting experience. Every laboratory allowed for hands on training with gadgets, tools, equipment and procedures all explained and illustrated.

Margaret Clark was happy to see the project. She said that it was in line with the CSW62 (Commission for the Status of Women) theme that aimed at helping rural women and girls. The project was so effective that it had the potential to be showcased in the CSW62 meet in New York, USA, 2018.

NASI president and active SIBC member, Dr. Lata Krishnan felt very proud and happy to drive the guests from UK and Barbados to the Gate Way of India and The Taj Mahal Hotel at 12.00 noon. The interactions with members were meaningful and fellowship at its highest.