Greetings Friend,
Last month, I had the remarkable opportunity to visit Mozambique and witness the initiatives that are being implemented to prevent child marriage. I was truly impressed by the programs that are a part of our Ending Child Marriage international service project with UNICEF USA and UNFPA.
During my visit, I was concerned to learn that a main driver for child marriage in the country is climate change. When homes are destroyed by cyclones, girls are in danger of being sold to a "husband" so that their families have money for rebuilding. However, I was encouraged when I spoke to the participants and asked them why they were taking part in the program. I was happy to hear that they recognized the importance of ending child marriage. They responded by saying that ending child marriage would benefit their community as a whole. Through education, girls and women can develop their skills and give back to their village and community. I found their perspective inspiring and insightful.
The progress made in preventing child marriage has been possible because of the selfless and generous gifts of Zonta members and friends to the Zonta Foundation for Women. Thank you for your continued dedication to ensuring all women and girls are given the opportunity to be in control of their own destinies!
Your work and donations through Zonta matter. Read more about the continued impact we are having with our other projects in Madagascar and Peru in the updates below. Keep scrolling to see so many other opportunities for you to build a better world for women and girls through your leadership skills, service actions and overall visibility of Zonta's mission.
Warm regards,
Ute Scholz
President 2022-2024
Zonta International and the Zonta Foundation for Women
Making an international impact with our service projects
Click on the images above to learn how girls in Madagascar are being empowered through health, nutrition and WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene) projects with an environmental focus; and see the results of the second phase of Zonta and UNICEF USA's partnership in Peru.
Donate today
Zontians in Action
Zonta members are building a better world for women and girls in their local communities and beyond! Read the stories below highlighting how Zonta clubs are taking action.
Zonta Club of Palermo Triscele raises plastic pollution awareness
In collaboration with the Agesp company, the Zonta Club of Palermo Triscele, Italy, placed three plastic-eating fish on the beaches of the Castellammare del Golfo and San Vito lo Capo municipalities that have a high density of bathers and citizens.
These fish are wrought iron structures that serve as a container for plastic waste and raise awareness of plastic pollution in the sea. The structures also serve as reminders that the health of the sea is closely connected to the health of the animals that live there and those who eat fish.
Zonta Club of Bowen Inc races for gender equality
As a part of its Zonta Says Yes to Gender Equality campaign, the Zonta Club of Bowen Inc, Australia, held the North Queensland Cruising Yacht Club Lady Skipper Race on 19 August. The race raises awareness of equality for women in sports and provides funds for the club's projects to build a better world for women and girls.
Share Your Story
Share your story with us by clicking the button above!
Three ways you can take gender-equal climate action NOW
Bring your ideas to the Intercontinental Think Tank
All members are welcome to join the Zonta Says NOW to Gender-Equal Climate Action Intercontinental Think Tank. Come share your ideas and gather inspiration on how we can address Gender-Equal Climate Action NOW!
Sunday, 15 October
6:00 PM UTC
Find your time: Meeting Planner
Register
Take 5 minutes to share your thoughts on climate change
The Zonta Says NOW Working Group is developing resources to implement the actions outlined in the Zonta International Statement on Climate Change. Submit your thoughts via a survey linked below. This survey will take about 5-10 minutes to complete and closes on 21 September 2023.
Members
Club Presidents
Governors
Submit your art to the virtual gallery
The Zonta Says NOW to Gender-equal Climate Action campaign is reaching out to Zontians to participate in a virtual art gallery.To learn more, visit the Zonta Says NOW virtual art gallery page, where you will find more information, guidelines and a submission form.
Artwork can be submitted electronically now through 15 December 2023.
Save the date for these upcoming events
Every Member Every November
Join us this November for Every Member Every November. By becoming a recurring donor to the Zonta Foundation for Women, you will create a strong foundation for the world we are building for women and girls.
More information coming soon at Foundation Campaigns.
2023 Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women Virtual Summit
Coming this 6-8 November, join us for a three-day virtual summit. Sessions will feature keynote speakers, panel discussions and practical workshops to raise awareness of your Zonta Says NO actions.
Look for more information coming soon on zonta.org and zontasaysno.com.
Ways to take the next step in Zonta
Do you share our passion for shaping the future of Zonta? Your leadership and ideas are crucial in creating a better world for women and girls. Submit your nomination for the 2024-2026 Zonta International and Zonta Foundation for Women Boards and International Nominating Committee positions. Let your voice be heard, make a difference, and contribute to a brighter future by submitting your nominations by 30 September.
Submit your nomination
Add Zonta to your social media profile
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Unleash your passion for Zonta and its mission by sharing your meaningful and rewarding volunteer experiences on your social media profile. Show the world the impact of your contributions and inspire others to join the movement toward gender equality.
Click on the icons below to learn how to edit your profile for each platform.
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Meet fellow Zontians and more on the app!
We are excited to announce that the e-clubs forum is now available as an opt-in interest group, along with many other exciting groups. To join the conversation, check the box on your My Zonta profile under the My Settings tab. All members are encouraged to explore the forums and groups that they can access via their current leadership roles, interests and more!
Remarkable Women, Powerful Stories
Thulile Khanyile is a lecturer and doctoral candidate at the University of the Witwatersrand (WIT) who brings science to the public through blogging and podcasting, intending to normalize technology and innovation as an economic driver.
Hear Thulile's story and learn why she is a remarkable woman with a powerful story!
Where in the world are Zonta clubs forming?
We are excited to share that new Zonta clubs are now forming across the globe! If you are a gender equity advocate in any of the following areas and interested in joining Zonta's mission, or know someone who would be a great addition to our Zonta International community, contact us at ZontaIntl@zonta.org.
Africa:
Zonta Club of Abuja, Nigeria
Zonta Club of Cotonou Agojie, Benin
Zonta Club of Nairobi, Kenya
Zonta Club of Pinte Noire "Telema," Congo
Australia and New Zealand:
Zonta e-Club of Aotearoa New Zealand
Zonta e-Club of Central and Southern Australia
Zonta e-Club of N/SW/ACT, Australia
Zonta Club of Lae, Papua New Guinea
Europe:
Zonta e-Club of Ilfov, Romania
Zonta Club of Schleswig, Germany
Zonta Club of Warsaw, Poland
North and South America:
Zonta e-Club of the Atlantic Coast, USA
Zonta e-Club of Atlantic Northeast, USA
Zonta Club of Boise, USA
Zonta Club of Brewerton, NY - Friends for Equality, USA
Zonta Club of Central York, Canada
Zonta Club of Des Moines, USA
Zonta e-Club of the Great Lakes, USA
Zonta Club of Greater Hartford, USA
Zonta Club of Grove City, USA
Zonta Club of Kanata, Canada
Zonta Club of Lincoln, NE, USA
Zonta e-Club of Managua, Nicaragua
Zonta Club of Parker, USA
Zonta Club of San Antonio - Alamo City, USA
Zonta Club of South County Rhode Island, USA
Zonta Club of Springfield, MO, USA
Zonta Club of West Los Angeles, USA
Zonta Club of Wilmington, DE, USA
Zonta Club of Wyoming Big Horns, USA
Please share if you know a club that is forming, and we will connect them to the club creator network!
Celebrate
Congratulations to the Zonta Club of Chatham-Kent, Canada, District 15, and the Zonta Club of Lahti, Finland, District 20, on celebrating their 75th anniversaries this month. We applaud your efforts in advocating for women and girls in your community and beyond!
To see which other clubs are celebrating a milestone anniversary in September, please visit Zonta News.
Celebrating Zonta International Headquarters!
This month, we are celebrating the work anniversaries of two staff members at Zonta International Headquarters. Thank you for your amazing work and dedication!
Megan Radavich, CAE
Interim Executive Director
14 years
Phyllis Rinck
Membership Senior Coordinator
5 years
Start planning your adventure at the 2024 Brisbane Convention today!
Will you be joining us in Australia for the 2024 Zonta International Convention from 27-30 June 2024? Registration will open in January but visit the convention website now to begin your convention planning. Check out the registration rates, learn more about our keynote speaker, Rabia Siddique, and start exploring accommodation options you can book right now!
Zonta's 2024 Convention is supported by the Queensland Government through Tourism and Events Queensland.