Zonta International Hosts UNGA Side Event on Beijing Platform for Action

On 22 September 2025, for the first time, Zonta International hosted a dynamic side event during the opening of the United Nations General Assembly. The event, which took place at the UN Church Center in New York, spotlighted two critical areas of the Beijing Platform for Action that align closely with Zonta’s mission: ending violence against women and girls and advancing education equality. To explore these themes, Zonta convened a distinguished panel of speakers, including representatives from Soroptimist International, the U.S. Women’s Caucus, and UNICEF, along with civil society advocates. The event drew a strong audience.

The discussion was expertly moderated by Soon-Young Yoon, a leading advocate within CEDAW, the International Alliance of Women and the UN system. With passion and insight, Ms. Yoon reflected on the legacy of the 1995 Beijing Platform for Action, the progress made (or not made), and the urgent need to accelerate efforts to meet the 2030 goals. Her energy and deep expertise inspired participants to confront both the advances and setbacks facing women’s rights globally. Speakers emphasized the sobering reality of persistent gender-based violence, systemic barriers to girls’ education, and the growing risk of regression. UNICEF’s contribution provided critical data on the scale of these challenges, reinforcing the need for immediate, collective action. The clear takeaway from the event was urgent and unifying: the pendulum of progress is not only stalling—it risks swinging backwards. Real change requires moving beyond words to concrete action, shared responsibility, and collaboration across sectors.

Zonta International was proud to host this important conversation and reaffirm its commitment to ensuring that the promises of Beijing are turned into lasting power for women and girls worldwide. We thank our speakers: Soon-Young Yoon, Frances Zainoeddin from Soroptimist International, Eric Dentor, a specialist in Gender-Based Violence and Protection Sexual Exploitation and Abuse with UNICEF, Reverend Dionne P. Boissière who is the Chaplain of the Church Center for the United Nations, and of course our own Zonta members: Leslie Wright, who also represented the U.S. Women’s Caucus, and Pamela Morgan, our International UN Committee Chair.

30 SEPTEMBER 2025