Zonta signs open letter to UN Member States to defend peace, human rights and gender equality

Zonta International signed its support to an open letter calling on all Member States to take action to defend peace, human rights and gender equality. This year, 481 civil society organizations from 92 countries around the world endorsed the letter, signaling powerful global support for these messages.

At this urgent moment for women, girls and LGBTQI people in so many conflicts and crises around the world, we believe that the fundamental principles of the Women, Peace and Security agenda — of peace, equality and human rights — have never been more important.

We have collectively called on all Member States to respect, protect and fulfill the rights of women and girls, including by:

• Urgently stepping up preventive diplomacy in all conflict situations;
• Defending gender equality and the human rights of diverse women and girls in all conflicts and crises;
• Ensuring women’s full, equal and meaningful participation in all aspects of peace and security, including peace processes; and
• Ending intimidation, attacks and reprisals against all women human rights defenders, peacebuilders and civil society leaders.

Read or download the open letter here, available in English, Arabic, Dari, French, Pashto, Russian, Spanish and Ukrainian. Please feel free to circulate to any colleagues or policymakers.  

7 OCTOBER 2022