Happy International Women's Day - Stories of Zonta's Advocacy

On this International Women’s Day, we take a moment to spotlight a few of our incredible Zontians throughout history who have passionately advocated for the empowerment and advancement of women and girls. Their unwavering commitment to creating a more equitable world has paved the way for significant progress in women’s rights, education and leadership opportunities. We celebrate their achievements and their lasting impact in fostering a society where every woman and girl can thrive and reach their full potential. Their example represents just a small selection of the gender equity advocates that have benefitted Zonta with their membership.

Europe
We highlight Past International President (PIP) Helvi Sipilä, a trailblazer in women's empowerment and gender equality. As the first female Assistant Secretary-General at the UN, she broke barriers and paved the way for future generations of women leaders and decision-makers. Hevli advocated for women by organizing the first UN World Conference on Women in 1975, launching a global dialogue on gender equality and a global action plan to promote women’s rights. The conference opened the UN to non-governmental organizations (NGOs), like Zonta International, to have a say in shaping global standards on gender equality and women empowerment, which continues to this day through the Commission on the Status of Women. Helvi’s past achievements in Zonta and beyond continue to inspire countless women today to advance their advocacy.

Zontian Karin Nordmeyer was part of drafting the Council of Europe’s Istanbul Convention. This groundbreaking human rights treaty stands as the first legally binding international instrument dedicated to preventing and ending violence against women and domestic violence.

North America
The Zonta USA Caucus, a proud member of the National Coalition to End Child Marriage in the United States, is empowering thousands of Zonta members and supporters to boldly stand against child marriage. In April 2020, the Zonta USA Caucus joined forces with UNICEF USA to launch a yearlong national Public Service Announcement billboard campaign, inspiring action to end child marriage in the nation. These billboards guide individuals to stopchildmarriages.org, a resource that shares facts about child marriage and enables users to reach out to their state representatives and senators to advocate for legislation that bans child marriage without exceptions. Since the campaign's inception, eight states have embraced this critical mission, uniting to create lasting change and bringing the total to 12 states committed to this crucial fight.

Zontian Kathleen Douglass emerged as a powerful advocate for change as an expert witness before the Canadian House of Commons on human trafficking. Alongside Zontian Melissa Marchand, Kathleen passionately championed transformative recommendations, including peer learning and integrating trafficking information into Canadian school curricula.

Asia
Advocating for legal reforms on sexual offenses in Hong Kong presents a vital challenge due to outdated laws – many of which have been in place for more than 60 years and are in urgent need of reform. Zonta clubs in Hong Kong have passionately illuminated critical issues, such as the necessity to prosecute offenders regardless of motives, addressing concerns like 'upskirting' and 'downblousing,' and emphasizing the importance of victim consent for sharing intimate images. In February 2021, members boldly recommended that judges issue mandatory treatment orders before sentencing, taking a stand for justice. The Crimes (Amendment) Bill 2021 introduced new offenses for voyeurism, with penalties of up to five years, marking significant progress.

South America
During Uruguay's 2024 presidential and parliamentary elections, the Zonta Club of Atlántico Sur took a significant step forward by presenting a comprehensive and transformative document infused with a gender perspective. This document was directed to all political parties, the President and the President of the Parliament, emphasizing the critical importance of gender equality in shaping public policy. Within its pages, the document outlines a series of recommendations to integrate gender considerations into all levels of governance, ultimately working toward a more inclusive and equitable future for the people of Uruguay. Experts from esteemed institutions such as UNESCO, UN Women, FLACSO, and the Justice Department lent their voices and insights, sharing profound knowledge on gender issues and highlighting key findings from Uruguay’s CEDAW report to reinforce the urgency and significance of these recommendations.

Africa
In 1977, the Zonta Club of Ibadan held a pivotal symposium on women's and children's rights within Nigeria's Draft Constitution. That same year, Beatrice Awoonor-Renner from the Zonta Club of Freetown, Sierra Leone, represented Zonta International at a Pan-African Seminar, advocating for the essential role of African women in national development. The Zonta Club of Lagos I, Nigeria, partnered with the World Health Organization to create a women's health manual, empowering women with the knowledge to take charge of their health and recognize issues impacting their bodies. Zonta clubs in Africa are continuing to make inspiring strides in closing the gender gap in education and government while also addressing women’s health. The Zonta Club of Abidjan in Côte d'Ivoire ignites empowering conversations around adolescent pregnancy. At the same time, the Zonta Club of Ibadan I in Nigeria has launched the transformative STEM Needs Girls project, challenging stereotypes in STEM fields. These clubs showcase the life-changing power of education for women and how it contributes to positive change in their community and country.

Australia/New Zealand
In 2024, Zontians in Australia established Zonta Australia to unify their voice on national issues vital to women and girls. In its inaugural year, the organization engaged in direct advocacy, focusing on the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and access to menstrual products. Zonta Australia actively provides feedback and recommendations to the federal government, striving to ensure that women with disabilities receive the support they deserve and that menstrual products are accessible to all women, especially those facing financial hardships. Moreover, Zonta Australia submitted a letter of support for the Domestic Family and Sexual Violence Commission’s first report to parliament, reinforcing the critical need for government action in combating domestic violence and uplifting survivors. Through these efforts, Zonta Australia is dedicated to amplifying the voices of women and girls, championing policies that foster equality and safety for all.

As we celebrate the achievements of Zontians worldwide, we encourage our members to share the meaningful advocacy work currently taking place as supporting members or in their clubs, showcasing the power of unity, purpose and the Zonta Spirit!

08 MARCH 2025