Zonta advocacy is action taken in “the public interest” or for “the greater good” with respect to empowering women and girls and promoting and protecting their human rights.
Zonta international advocates primarily through its General Consultative Status with ECOSOC (United Nations Economic and Social Council) at the United Nations (UN) and its Participatory Status at the Council of Europe (CoE). Zonta International has been affiliated with the UN since 1969 and has been represented in the CoE since 1983. Through these relationships, Zonta uses its strong voice to present our priorities and demand focused action when advocating for gender equality and women’s human rights worldwide,
Zonta International, districts, areas and clubs draft letters and send petitions to national governments to initiate or influence hearings and legislation on issues affecting women and girls.
Zonta clubs monitor laws and policies and their impact on women, participate in hearings and public meetings with local politicians and administrators and host speakers and panels to raise awareness about issues affecting women at the local level.
Zonta International is nonpartisan and nonsectarian.
In 2012, Zonta International launched “Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women,” a global campaign to raise awareness of and increase advocacy actions to end violence against women and girls around the world.
Every year, during the 16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence (25 November – 10 December), Zonta clubs and Zontians around the world take action and advocate to end gender-based violence in all its forms. To learn more, contribute, or take action, visit https://zontasaysno.com/