Taking Global Action – Making It Local
Launching 16 Days of Activism 2025
November 24, 2025 Niagara Falls, ON
Individual action on International Day of the Girl
Flip the narrative, making a negative observation into one that’s positive.
Global Impact
Zonta International is passionate about providing life-changing opportunities for women and girls through international service. By partnering with agencies of the United Nations and other recognized non-governmental organizations, Zonta has improved women’s health, provided better economic opportunities and prevented gender-based violence in 71 countries.
Since Zonta International’s first service project, it has contributed more than US$35.9 million to our international service projects.
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.
Advocating for Gender Equality
Advocating for gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls in all aspects of life.
Gender equality is a basic human right, and its achievement has immense socioeconomic implications. Yet, gender inequalities are deeply rooted in every society. No country in the world has achieved gender equality.
Ending Child Marriage
Child marriage is any formal or informal union where one or both of the parties are under 18 years old, according to Girls Not Brides. Early and forced marriage happens across countries, cultures and religions. Each year, 12 million girls are married before they turn 18.
90% of adolescent pregnancies in the developing world are to girls who are already married.
Expanding Access to Education
Education is a human right. It has the power to save and improve the lives of women and girls, which leads to healthier families and stronger communities.
According to UNICEF, receiving an education makes girls less likely to marry young and more likely to lead healthy, productive lives. Educated girls earn higher incomes, participate in decisions that affect them, and build better futures for themselves and their families.
Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women
Ongoing advocacy efforts are built around the Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women 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.
During the 16 Days of Activism, 25 November–10 December, all Zonta clubs and districts are encouraged to take part in the Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women campaign and to take local, national and international actions to influence the making and implementation of laws, as well as changing gender-based attitudes and behaviors to end violence against
women and girls.
Zonta Says NOW To Gender-Equal Climate Action
Zonta International envisions a world where every woman can achieve her full potential, has access to all resources, is represented in decision-making positions on an equal basis with men, and lives without fear of violence.
By taking gender-equal climate action now, we can keep this vision alive.
Members Get Involved
Club members are encouraged to participate in community and support other Zonta Clubs’ events or actions.
Community Participation
Attending Event
