Advocacy

Legal gaps and enduring harm: Analysing the persistence of child marriage in the United States
A new report, Legal Gaps and Enduring Harm: Analysing the Persistence of Child Marriage in the United States, produced by Unchained At Last in partnership with Equality Now, exposes how state and federal loopholes continue to enable child marriage, and what must change to finally end it.

The full report is eye-opening and worth the read: https://equalitynow.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Legal-gaps-and-enduring-harm-Analysing-the-persistence-of-child-marriage-in-the-United-States-English.pdf.

While all of the states in Zonta District 1 have voted to ban child marriage, there is still advocacy work to do here on TWO fronts.  (1) Fighting for the ERA, which would solve this problem, and (2) Supporting girls transitioning out of this nightmare.

The ERA and Child Marriage
 The Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) is an amendment to the United States Constitution that guarantees equality under the law, regardless of sex or gender. Originally introduced in 1923 and passed by Congress in 1972, the ERA met all constitutional requirements to become the 28th Amendment in 2020.67 In January 2025, in the final days of his presidency, former President Biden announced that the ERA is the “law of the land.”68 If universally recognized and implemented, the ERA would provide a critical tool for challenging laws and policies that reinforce sex-based discrimination. Laws that allow or enable child marriage, at both the state and federal levels, could be struck down as unconstitutional because such laws have a disproportionately negative impact on girls, preventing them from equally enjoying their rights and participating fully in society.69 Additionally, the ERA could open the door for federal legislation that sets a national minimum age of marriage to remedy the discriminatory nature of child marriage. As the United States faces increasing scrutiny for its failure to prohibit child marriage, the ERA could serve as a transformative legal foundation to protect women and girls’ rights and meet its commitments under international law.

Aiding Children Who have been Trapped
In states where child marriage is completely banned, girls under 18 can access a variety of confidential services through specialized organizations, runaway and homeless youth shelters, and legal aid groups. Because these states legally recognize minors as adults in marriage-related cases, girls attempting to leave a forced marriage are no longer subject to the same restrictions as runaways and are entitled to specific legal protections. States that have banned child marriage:

Specialized anti-forced marriage organizations
National and regional non-profits specialize in assisting girls escaping forced or child marriages.

• Unchained At Last: This organization provides free legal services, social services, and shelter to survivors of forced marriages. They have led the national movement to ban child marriage and can help minors navigate the specific protections offered in their state.
• Tahirih Justice Center: Through its Forced Marriage Initiative, Tahirih offers a confidential helpline, legal expertise, and case-by-case assistance. They can connect individuals with local resources and guide them through legal options like annulment or an order of protection.

Youth and runaway shelters
For immediate safety, youth shelters offer a confidential and secure place to stay, along with resources to help establish independence.… Read the rest

In this AUGUST 2025 issue:

• Learn how you can participate in the Equal Rights Amendment – Disrupt Now Campaign;
• Equal Pay – Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders – August 28th;
• Learn about what States we hope to take the forefront in ending Child Marriage in 2026;
• Zonta Says No – ZI will have a Share Your Stories program on August 26th;
• Legislative actions you can take;
• Learn about Tennessee’s Safe Bar Program, then check to see if your community has one;
• Learn how Missouri Zontian’s are working to help the rights of pregnant women;
• And more!

As a reminder, check out Zonta International’s Statement on remaining steadfast in its mission to build a better world for women and girls, commitment to the sustainable development goals, and remaining steadfast with our partnerships and commitment for our UN international service projects. There are 3 (2025) statements to share with your Districts, Clubs, and Members.
https://www.zonta.org/Web/Web/News_Events/Zonta_International_Statements.aspx?hkey=34051c4c-679c-4251-8178-fe80033fad4d

As the world marks the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, governments have adopted by consensus a powerful Political Declaration to respect, protect, and champion the rights, equality, and empowerment of women and girls.
Here is the 8-page political declaration on the occasion of the thirtieth anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women… Read the rest

Zonta International remains steadfast in its mission to build a better world for women and girls
For over 100 years Zonta International and its members have fought hard to advance the rights of women
and girls around the world. Sadly, over the last several years, we have witnessed a systematic disturbing
rollback of women’s rights globally. These efforts to undermine the rights of women and girls, coupled
with now an alarming significant decrease in funding for development aid from the United States and
several European countries, are both deeply troubling and regressive actions that threaten the
fundamental hard-won progress achieved in advancing gender equality, human rights and sustainable
development.

Undermining women’s rights, cutting critical funding for programs that empower women and girls, and
disregarding the needs of the most vulnerable populations, set back decades of work toward a fairer,
more just world not only for women and girls but for entire societies. Attacks on women’s rights and cuts
to critical funding not only harm individuals but also destabilize [international] efforts to fight poverty,
inequality and oppression. This short-sighted approach weakens global partnerships and betrays the
values of equity and human dignity that should guide us all.

Similarly, the reduction in development aid threatens vital efforts to address poverty, inequality, and
climate change, all of which disproportionately affect marginalized communities, and especially women
and children. As global challenges continue to affect the most vulnerable among us, it is crucial that we
come together to support organizations that are on the front lines of providing lifesaving aid and promoting
human dignity.

Zonta International supports this work through our long-standing partnerships with UNFPA and UNICEF,
organizations that work tirelessly to protect and advance the rights and well-being of children, women
and families around the world. Zonta International and Zonta Foundation for Women do not receive any
government funding, and our contributions to UNFPA and UNICEF will continue to support critical
programs to prevent violence against women and girls, advance climate justice and end child marriage.
We will continue to recognize and support women’s educational and professional advancement in
aerospace engineering, space sciences, broader STEM fields and business leadership globally through
the Zonta International Amelia Earhart Fellowship, Zonta Women in STEM Award and Zonta Women in
Business Leadership Award. Our Zonta Young Women in Leadership Award will honor the brightest
emerging young women leaders worldwide.

We want to reassure all our members and supporters that our commitment to advancing women’s rights
remains steadfast and unwavering, regardless of the political or societal pressures we may face. Our
mission is rooted in the belief that every woman and girl deserves equality, justice and the opportunity to
thrive. With the dedicated support of our members, friends of Zonta and our Zonta International
Headquarters Team in the United States, we will continue to stand up for these values with courage and
resilience, ensuring that the voices of women and girls are heard and respected, and advocate for the
restoration of funding and the protection of women’s rights as key pillars of global progress.… Read the rest

The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence was initiated in 1991 by the Women’s Global Leadership Institute at Rutgers University.  Activists around the world recognize it as a time to raise awareness in their communities and to call for the elimination of all types of gender-based violence. The designated 16-day period begins on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on Nov. 25 and ends on Human Rights Day Dec. 10. In addition to Zonta, more than 6,000 organizations from 187 countries have participated in the campaign.  Here are highlights from District 1 Clubs!

Zonta Club of Chelsea and North Shore

Note from Governor Donna Raycraft:  “A perfect match for the goals of  16 Days. I love that they were packed in an orange reusable Zonta bag, too. The bags not only promote Zonta, but their reusability hits the mark on the second ZI goal of reversing climate change by using sustainable products. A win all the way around.”

Zonta Club of Chelsea and North Shore deliver gift bags to women in new homes

The Zonta Club of Halifax Nova Scotia CA
Carol Dobson, President notes:  I have secured the illumination of Government House, which is also in flux as our wonderful Lieutenant Governor is ending his term and no date has been set for the change of command. We have a message into Peggy’s Cove and will be chasing Marcy the first of the week.

The Zonta Club of Quaboag Valley
Karen Keough-Huff, Vice President and Chair of Advocacy is pleased to announce a ‘first’ for the club.  16 poems posted on our Zonta of Quaboag Valley web page and on Facebook.

Women are increasingly impacted by gender-based violence – our hope is that our personal writings will raise awareness and inspire others to address these issues in their communities.

16 poems for 16 days

Thank you for registering for the 4th Annual Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women Summit. It was an informative and inspiring event, with three incredible speakers and reflections from some amazing young people. Please find recordings of all three sessions below.

 … Read the rest

The Zonta Says NOW Intercontinental Think Tank meets on the third Sunday of each month and members may register via the Zonta International Events page.  Recordings of Intercontinental Think Tank meetings and can be found here.
The November Zonta International Think Tank shared the newly released Fact Sheet on Women’s Economic Opportunities in the Context of Climate Change. This 24 page document is colourful and easy to read. It is designed to be read online as it contains many hyperlinks. If you don’t understand the links between climate change and women’s economic opportunity, this is the document for you!I
Click on the visual below to open the PDF – and please share with friends and colleagues to educate them on the issues as well.

… Read the rest

Dr. Patricia Tesoriero, a member of District 1 e-Club, discusses: what is climate change; human-made climate change causes; fracking impact; climate justice, gender inequality, and how climate change impacts women and girls.

… Read the rest

During the 16 Days of Advocacy 2023, each club was involved in creating more visibility for Zonta and our Causes.… Read the rest

Verna Frasca, District 1 Advocacy Chair – USA

The USA Caucus is a place for clubs and districts in the USA to align on key issues and provides a platform for coordinated advocacy actions within the USA. Below is a brief update on current activity.

Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) 

All members are asked to act on SIGN-4-ERA Petition, calling on Congress to recognize the fact that the Equal Rights Amendment has already been ratified by the necessary 38 states. Please sign and forward the link to family, friends, coworkers, etc. For more information on the ERA, check out the ERA Toolkit.

Ending Child Marriage

In October 2023, Unchained at Last co-wrote a joint submission for the UN Human Rights Commitee’s periodic review of adherence by the US to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). The submission addressed several failings by the US related to the welfare of women. The work continues in several states, including New Hampshire, where the Concord NH club is actively involved.

Climate Change

Still wondering what climate change has to do with women’s welfare? Read this CNN Report on How the Climate Crisis Fuels Gender Inequality, which highlights most of the issues Zonta addresses. You are also encouraged to check out a 17-minute video created by Carole Theobald, leader of the Zonta Says NOW Working Group. Did you know that YOU can attend the ongoing Intercontinental Think Tank meetings on climate-related issues? The next Think Tank is on Being Financially Prepared for Climate Emergencies 2/11/24 3 pm CST. Register here.

UN CSW The 2024 Commission on the Status of Women (CSW68) will take place March 11-22 in New York City as well as virtually. The priority theme for CSW is accelerating the achievement of gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls by addressing poverty and strengthening institutions and financing with a gender perspective. Zonta Says NOW will present a program at CSW on March 15th @8am EST on a simple and practical approach to address gender equality and climate action.

Ending Violence Against Women (VAW)

Many initiatives continue, including issuing statements regarding the impact of the current violence in the Middle East on women and children; advocacy to get the Human Trafficking Act (S.3124) ensuring legal representation for survivors passed by the House of Representatives; and keeping issues around Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) in the limelight.

Women’s Health

Initiatives include expanding coverage under Medicare for women undergoing mastectomies and advocating for the eradication of period poverty.

Fast Action Fridays: Take action for women and girls with the Zonta USA Caucus.

Text ZONTA to 50457 to get our advocacy alerts via text message and be one of the first to find out when there is a new opportunity. Follow the instructions you receive to complete registration.… Read the rest