Zonta e-Club of Latvia contributes to EPALE discussion on future skills for women

On 20 November, the Zonta e-Club of Latvia actively contributed to the EPALE (Electronic Platform for Adult Learning in Europe) online event, participating in the comments section of the written discussion on future-oriented skills - a topic that aligns closely with Zonta International’s mission to ensure that every woman can live in safety, dignity and equality. As the labor market and society transform at unprecedented speed, the need to equip women with forward-looking skills has never been more urgent.

In the club's contribution “Future Skills for Women - A Zonta Perspective”, they highlighted the essential competencies women need to thrive in a rapidly changing world. Digital literacy and critical thinking help women stay informed and safe in technologically rich environments. Emotional intelligence and resilience empower them to navigate uncertainty, strengthen themselves and others, and maintain well-being. Financial literacy and economic independence form the foundation of confidence and freedom from violence. Equally vital are leadership, courage to advocate, self-directed learning, and the ability to recognise personal boundaries — skills that help women prevent violence, defend their rights and shape their own futures.

Responding to the growing need to turn evidence into practice and build adult learning programmes that match future societal demands, the club shared how the Zonta e-Club of Latvia contributes to this goal through the Zonta e-Academy. Built on the motto “Learning. Sharing. Strengthening.”, the Academy organises open online lectures, seminars and workshops every third Wednesday of the month. This continuous learning model fosters an inclusive, supportive space where women of different ages and backgrounds can grow together, exchange experiences, and strengthen essential competencies.

In the fall semester of 2025, the Academy offered sessions on positive psychology tools, practical decision-making strategies, and two open workshops on Human Design. These sessions helped women develop key future-oriented skills:
• Self-understanding and inner balance - identifying one’s strengths, needs, and emotional patterns to support healthier decisions and reduce vulnerability to psychological violence;
• Emotional resilience - cultivating calmness, flexibility, and confidence in challenging situations, enabling women to protect their dignity and maintain personal boundaries;
• Decision-making and action skills - learning how to evaluate situations, plan steps, and act purposefully, especially under stress or uncertainty;
• Authentic leadership and self-realisation - recognising personal potential and developing a leadership style rooted in integrity and inner alignment, crucial for inspiring change and advocating for women’s rights;
• Community and solidarity - creating a trusted environment for sharing, encouragement, and mutual empowerment - a core value of Zonta.

These learning activities do more than educate. They strengthen women's emotional, intellectual and practical capacities - foundations needed to build lives free from violence, to lead with confidence and to fully participate in shaping a safer, more equitable future.