Message from Zonta International President Beryl Sten

November 25 - International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women
Zonta International joins the Secretary-General in reaffirming our commitment to women's human rights. Message from UN
 

To further strengthen our commitment and visibility we will make it possible for all Zontians to register at our own website and be a part of the "UNiTE to End Violence Against Women". Further details will be coming soon.
 

December 4, 2009 – Right Livelihood Award Ceremony
Congratulations to Dr Catherine Hamlin (Ethiopia), Zonta International Honorary Member, who is awarded the Right Livelihood Award 2009 “for her fifty years dedicated to treating obstetric fistula patients, thereby restoring the health, hope and dignity of thousands of Africa’s poorest women”. The prize money is EUR 50,000.
 

On December 4th parliamentarians, ambassadors, members of the board and jury of the Right Livelihood Award Foundation and invited guests from civil society, business and media among others will gather at the Swedish Parliament in Stockholm to honour the 2009 Award Recipients.
 

The Swedish Deputy Prime Minister Maud Olofsson will together with the Vice President of the European Commission Margot Wallström present the Awards to the Laureates. The Award is widely known as the Alternative Nobel Prize and is presented annually in Stockholm, Sweden, at a ceremony in the Swedish Parliament.
 

The Award is usually shared by four recipients. Often an Honorary Award is given to a person or group whose work the Jury wishes to recognize but who is not primarily in need of monetary support. The others share the prize money of EUR 150,000. The prize money is for ongoing successful work, never for personal use.  Read more at www:rightlivelihood.org.
 

Dr Hamlin was presented the Zonta International Honorary insignia at a ceremony in Gothenburg, Sweden in 1997 by Past International President Margit Webjörn (then ZI Director) and President Beryl Sten (then D21 Governor) per request by then D24 Governor Jane Wilson O’Brien.
 

At the Convention 2000 in Hawaii, Dr Hamlin was a keynote speaker and received at that time a substantial financial contribution from Zonta for her fistula work.
 

Zonta and fistula today
Today, Zonta is working together with UNFPA, in a very successful fistula project in Liberia. Updates on the project are under preparation for the website.

Please donate to OUR projects to maintain Zonta the leading co-operation partner for the respective UN agencies to advance the status of women. Together we make a difference for those women who need our help today!