Together with only 150 other NGOs, Soroptimist International of Europe holds general consultative status at the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). This status allows Soroptimists to act as advocates for women’s rights and for the improvement of the lives of women by making policy statements and participating in panels, meetings and round-table discussions organised by the UN.

Through its ECOSOC status, Soroptimist International of Europe participates in the work of the United Nations’ Commission for the Status of Women (CSW). Soroptimist representatives share our experience and best practices with the CSW NGO Committee throughout the year and take part in the annual CSW session at the United Nations in New York. At these sessions they take part in national- and NGO-led sessions to raise the concerns of women in the 62 countries in which Soroptimist International of Europe is active and to advocate on behalf of their members and women around the world.

Soroptimist International of Europe also contributes to the work of the UN’s Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), which meets several times a year in Geneva, and to the work of the UN’s Human Rights Council, which often addresses issues of concern to women.

Last but not least, through appointed permanent representatives, Soroptimists have an ongoing presence at the United Nations centres in New York, Geneva and Vienna, UNESCO in Paris, the FAO in Rome, and UNEP in Nairobi.