President Susanne Von Bassewitz emphasizes need to empower women affected by Syrian crisis

Today, Zonta International President Susanne von Bassewitz made a statement at the Private Sector and Philanthropic Leaders' SDG-5 Forum in New York about the need of reaching beyond immediate humanitarian needs to empower displaced women living in refugee camps, as seen in the Syrian refugee camps in Jordan. The forum, organized by UN Women, called upon all private sector and philanthropic leaders to renew their commitment to achieve the ambitious 2030 Agenda, which can only be achieved by engaging and empowering women.

Although Zonta International is not a humanitarian relief organization, the opportunity to empower Syrian women in and outside the camps through the Eid bi Eid project was a clear way for Zonta to positively affect the women impacted by the crisis. This project will build resilience and empower both Syrian and Jordanian women through livelihood opportunities, improved policies to support women’s economic empowerment and strategies to address gender inequalities and gender-based violence for women living in refugee camps and in the surrounding communities.

In addition to funding Eid bi Eid, Zontians have committed their support to UNICEF’s Let Us Learn program in Madagascar and to UNICEF and UNFPA’s Global Programme to Accelerate Action to End Child Marriage. By combining international efforts with locally-relevant service and advocacy actions, Zonta International will improve the lives of millions of women and girls throughout the world.