|
Equity in education is the cornerstone of a diverse, equal and inclusive society that values everyone. Prioritizing education for women and girls yields transformative results: breaking the cycle of poverty, fostering economic growth with wage increases of 10-20% and reducing gender-based violence and child marriage. Educated girls make empowered choices, marry later and have fewer children, which protects them from vulnerabilities later in life.
Yet, without equal educational opportunities, women and girls cannot fully realize their potential. UN Women outlines the stark challenges they face:
-
Women comprise more than two-thirds of the world's 796 million illiterate people.
-
Rural women's deficits in education have long-term implications for family well-being and poverty reduction.
-
Children of mothers with no education in the Latin American and Caribbean region are 3.1 times more likely to die than those with mothers who have secondary or tertiary education and 1.6 more likely to die than those whose mothers have primary-level education.
Opportunity and representation are powerful catalysts for educational equality, one of the four vital focus areas of Zonta International's Strategic Plan. Our initiatives, such as the Amelia Earhart Fellowship and Zonta Young Women in Leadership, Zonta Women in Business Leadership and Zonta Women in STEM Awards, address barriers to educational and professional advancement and success. Awardees receive financial support to pursue their aspirations and become part of a vibrant community that fosters their learning, growth and future work.
As you read further, consider the barriers you faced in your education and how you can help remove them for future generations. Providing equal education and opportunities for women and girls means creating equal opportunities for all.
Thank you for your unwavering support and commitment to Zonta's mission and goals.
|
|
|
|
|
Salla Tuominen
President 2024-2026
Zonta International and Zonta Foundation for Women
|
|
|
How can I promote education equality?
Check out the list below to see how you can ensure every woman and girl reaches her full potential by recognizing and supporting her passion for learning.
|
|
|
|
|
Create or collaborate with Z clubs and Golden Z clubs
By having a direct relationship with students through student clubs, you can expand their knowledge of gender equality issues globally, provide opportunities for them to express their perspectives and share the Zonta Spirit through fun and meaningful projects!
|
|
|
|
|
Community engagement
Partner with community groups working on issues like poverty, housing and healthcare to address educational access. Advocate for policies that support equitable funding for schools, access to quality early childhood education and programs addressing learning gaps.
|
|
|
|
|
Promote literacy programs with local service actions
Host book drives, reading clubs or family literacy events to encourage early reading skills.
|
|
|
Advocacy Update: Equal Rights Amendment is declared Law of the Land – What’s next for the ERA?
Just three days before the end of his term, U.S. President Joe Biden declared the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) the law of the land. Zontians across the United States celebrated the news after years of advocating for the publication of the ERA through the Zonta USA Caucus and the ERA Coalition, a diverse coalition of nearly 300 partner organizations, representing 80 million people, across the United States.
While President Biden’s proclamation was an important step in recognition of the ERA, he did not go as far as to instruct the Archivist of the United States to publish the ERA – the final step in finally codifying women’s rights into the U.S. Constitution.
The ERA is likely to face legal challenges in the weeks and months ahead, and continued advocacy will be needed to not lose any of the hard-won momentum that has been achieved. Zontians and women’s rights advocates across the U.S. stand ready for the challenge.
Learn more about the ERA at https://zontausa.org/what-we-do/equal-rights-amendment/.
|
|
|
This month, we celebrated the remarkable legacy of Amelia Earhart, a pioneering aviator and Zontian who broke barriers in aviation. We also honor our dedicated Amelia Earhart Fellows, whose passion for advancing knowledge and innovation in aerospace engineering and space sciences inspires us all.
Click the button below to watch the recording of Amelia Earhart Panel.
|
|
|
Zontians in Action
Zontians are taking action to create a better world for women and girls! Read the stories below highlighting how Zonta clubs and student clubs are making an impact in their communities and beyond.
|
|
|
Six young women sponsored by Zonta Club of Accra II secure university admissions across Ghana
Six young women, aged 18 to 19, who were sponsored by the Zonta Club of Accra II, Ghana, from primary through senior high school, have secured admission to various universities across Ghana. Identified for their academic excellence at the age of nine, these students received scholarships and mentoring from the club to support their educational journey.
Over the past decade, the club has supported these girls, leading to their university admissions. Recognizing the financial demands of tertiary education, Club President Merley Wood has pledged to continue fundraising efforts to support the students throughout their university studies. She emphasized that it is Zonta International's commitment to empower girls and women through advocacy and education, a mission that the the club is dedicated to fulfilling in Ghana.
|
|
|
Zonta Club of Taipei II awards scholarships and recruits students members
The Zonta Club of Taipei II, Taiwan, awarded scholarships to 15 university students in recognition of their academic excellence and volunteer contributions, achieved despite significant personal challenges.
The scholarships, funded by a US$100,000 donation from the late philanthropist Lu Soong You-Tze, aim to empower young women from disadvantaged backgrounds. Additionally, the club has established an education fund to support young people in their academic and professional pursuits, reinforcing its commitment to fostering leadership and achievement.
All 15 recipients joined the Zonta family through the Golden Z Club of New Dawn, which the Zonta club sponsors, increasing its membership to 39.
|
|
|
Click on the buttons below to be inspired by Zontians taking action within their own communities. Then, tell us how you are changing the world by sharing your story!
|
|
|
Advocacy Webinar Series: A Closer Look at Zonta Says NOW
Join the Zonta International Advocacy Committee and Zonta Says NOW Working Group for an inspiring webinar: A Closer Look at Zonta Says NOW.
The Zonta Says NOW to Gender-Equal Climate Action is a movement to focus on climate justice at international, national and local levels. Have you wondered how Zonta Says NOW aligns with Zonta International's Strategic Plan and biennial goals? Join us for a panel discussion with the Zonta Says NOW Working Group to learn more.
Tuesday, 25 February | 12:00 PM CST
|
|
|
Attending CSW69/ Beijing + 30?
The next Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) will take place 10-21 March 2025 - that is only two months away!
Are you interested in learning more? Let us know if you are coming to CSW this March and be included in all our communications about the events.
Join Zonta UN Committee Chair Pamela Morgan and the UN Committee for the next Conversation Circle. This series covers the 12 points of the Beijing Platform. Discuss with other Zontians about these important topics before attending CSW69/Beijing +30 to be well-informed. Future Conversation Circles links are posted on the Zonta International Events page.
On Monday, 24 February, all Zonta members who are participating in CSW69, both in-person and virtually, are invited to join the CSW Orientation. Register today.
Please note that the final date for the Virtual Parallel Event applications is Friday, 21 February.
|
|
|
Zonta Essentials: Participatory status – a privilege for INGOs at the Council of Europe
Since 1983, Zonta International has represented women’s rights at the Council of Europe (CoE) and, since 2003, has held participatory status alongside 320 other international non-governmental organizations (INGOs). This prestigious status, renewed every four years, enables INGOs to contribute to debates, decision-making and priority themes within the CoE.
Click here to read Part 3, Participatory status–a privilege for INGOs at the Council of Europe.
On Wednesday, 26 March, join us at the next webinar on the CoE. Register today.
|
|
|
Meet this month's Remarkable Woman:
Akosua Ombonga (Agyepong)
|
|
|
Akosua Ombonga (Agyepong) is a committed advocate for women's rights, social justice and trauma recovery, with extensive experience in global health and development. She was recognized as a 2021 Women Deliver Young Leader and has worked with the United Nations Population Fund and UNAIDS in Ghana. Her efforts focus on advancing gender equity, combating gender-based violence and protecting marginalized women and children. Affiliated with Partnerships for Trauma Recovery, Akosua is dedicated to empowering women and communities through trauma-informed care, sustainable development and the pursuit of social justice.
Akousa met with Lynne Foley OAM, host of the Remarkable Women, Powerful Stories podcast, to share how her upbringing in a slum inspired her to use her platform to tackle issues such as exploitation, poverty and gender-based violence through innovative, community-centered solutions.
Listen to Akousa's story on the go | Spotify | YouTube
|
|
|
Congratulations to our club anniversaries this month!
|
|
|
|
|
Zonta Club of Auburn
USA, District 2
100th anniversary
Zonta Club of Stockholm II
Sweden, District 21
70th anniversary
Zonta Club of Aurora Area, IL
USA, District 6
65th anniversary
|
|
|
We applaud your efforts in advocating for the women and girls in your community and beyond. To see which other clubs are celebrating a milestone anniversary in January, visit Zonta News.
|
|
|
|
