Zonta Advocacy Initiatives
Gender equality is a basic human right and its achievement has immense socioeconomic implications. Yet, gender inequalities are deeply rooted in every society.
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Zonta and its clubs advocate on a variety of issues related to gender equality and women’s empowerment.
Gender-based violence, or violence against women and girls, is a severe violation of human rights. Violence not only negatively affects women; it also affects their families, communities and countries. It knows no national or cultural barriers; it takes place at home, in the workplace and in open spaces, and affects millions of women and girls.
Child marriage is any formal or informal union where one or both of the parties are under 18 years old, according to Girls Not Brides. Early and forced marriage happens across countries, cultures and religions. Each year, 12 million girls are married before they turn 18. Zonta is actively working to put an end to this human rights violation.
Education is a human right. It has the power to save and improve the lives of women and girls, which leads to healthier families and stronger communities.
Educated girls earn higher incomes, participate in decisions that affect them, and build better futures for themselves and their families.
Zonta fights for gender equity in education.
Zonta's USA Caucus advocates for gender equality issues within the United States. Gender-based violence, gender equality, access to education and ending child marriage are issues affecting women globally and here at home. Did you know that only four states have officially outlawed child marriage? That the struggle to ratify the ERA continues?
Zonta International envisions a world in which women’s rights are recognized as human rights and every woman is able to achieve her full potential.
In such a world, women have access to all resources and are represented in decision making positions on an equal basis with men.
In such a world, no woman lives in fear of violence.