From the ZI website
MISSION 
Zonta International is a leading global organization of individuals working together to build a better world for women and girls.
VISION
Zonta International envisions a world in which women's rights are recognized as human rights and every woman is able to achieve her full potential.
In such a world, women have access to all resources and are represented in decision-making positions on an equal basis with men.
In such a world, no woman lives in fear of violence.
There are over 26,000 members in 1100 clubs from 62 countries.
Zonta International holds General Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council, and Participatory Status with the Council of Europe. Zonta teams engage in these important intergovernmental organizations and in important events and campaigns to further our global advocacy efforts and our mission to build a better world for women and girls.
The current Strategic Plan has the following goals:
- Credible and Visible Voice
- Club Success
- International Leadership and Sustainability
- Engagement of Audiences and Allies
Advocating for Gender Equity
Gender equality is a basic human right and its achievement has immense socioeconomic implications. Yet, gender inequalities are deeply rooted in every society.
Sustainable Development Goal No. 5 is to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls. While progress has been made, no country in the world has achieved gender equality.
- According to the UN Progress on the Sustainable Development Goals, climate change may push up to 158.3 million more women and girls into poverty (16 million more than the total number of men and boys).
- According to recent data from some 90 countries, women devote on average roughly three times more hours a day to unpaid care and domestic work than men, limiting the time available for paid work, education and leisure and further reinforcing gender-based socioeconomic disadvantages.
- It takes women 15 months to earn the same amount as men earn in 12 months. Women are paid approximately 81 cents for every dollar a man makes.
- Women continue to be underrepresented at all levels of political leadership. As of 1 November 2023, women’s representation in national Parliaments ranged from 0 to 61.3%, with the average standing at 26.7%.
- While women represented 46% of world employment, only 32% of managerial positions in the world were occupied by women in 2023.
- Throughout the world, one in three women and girls have already experienced physical and/or sexual violence. Less than 40% sought help, and of those, only 10% went to the police.
- Of all of the women who were killed in 2020, 58% were murdered by their partner or a family member.
- Globally, one in five girls were married before age 18.
Zonta in Action
In 2022, the SDG Gender Index found that not one country is on track to attain gender equality by 2030. The Global Gender Gap Report 2023 estimates estimates at the current rate of progress, it will take 131 years to reach full parity. While the global parity score has recovered to pre-pandemic levels, the overall rate of change has slowed down significantly. Zonta International has spent 100 years advocating for gender equality and continues to fight for the cause.
Zonta and its clubs advocate on a variety of issues related to gender equality and women’s empowerment through:
- The United Nations and the Commission on the Status of Women
- The Council of Europe
- USA Advocacy Action Center
- Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women
In addition to our advocacy efforts, Zonta’s education programs and international service projects work to empower women and provide them opportunities to live on an equal basis as men.
Ending Gender Based Violence
Gender-based violence, or violence against women and girls, is a severe violation of human rights. Violence not only negatively affects women; it also affects their families, communities and countries. It knows no national or cultural barriers; it takes place at home, in the workplace and in open spaces, and affects millions of women and girls in peacetime and in conflict. Gender-based violence includes psychological, physical and sexual violence, and harmful practices such as intimate partner violence, sexual violence and harassment, child marriage, female genital mutilation and human trafficking, according to UN Women.
- In 2022, around 48,800 women and girls were killed by their intimate partner or family member. This is on average about 133 women or girls a day.
- 41% of women worldwide have experienced either intimate partner violence or non-partner sexual violence in their lifetime.
- Of those who have reported intimate partner violence, one in five women have experienced physical or sexual violence by a partner.
- Approximately 59% of all female homicide victims in 2021 lost their lives by an intimate partner.
- The first sexual experience of some 30 percent of women was forced. 45% of those under 15 at the time of their sexual initiation report the experience was forced.
- Children who grow up in families where there is violence may suffer a range of behavioral and emotional disturbances. These can also be associated with perpetrating or experiencing violence later in life.
Zonta in Action
Zonta International envisions a world in which no woman lives in fear of violence. For 100 years, we have contributed to help achieve a world free of violence against women and girls through service and advocacy. Though many countries have laws against domestic violence, sexual assault and other forms of gender-based violence, there are challenges in implementing these laws.
We have a history of partnering with United Nations agencies or recognized NGOs on programs that promote and protect the human rights of all women and girls and reduce the incidence of violence. Zonta International currently supports the Global Programme to End Child Marriage, which brings together governments, civil society, families and young people in a collective effort to prevent girls from marrying too young and to support those already married as girls. Read more about the projects we have supported through the Zonta International Strategies to end Violence Against Women program.
Our ongoing advocacy impact is built around the Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women advocacy campaign. Launched in 2012, the campaign has raised awareness of the global pandemic of women’s rights violations and has united Zonta clubs worldwide in conducting impactful advocacy actions to fight violence against women and gender inequality.
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