Advocacy

State Domestic Violence Coalitions
Help where you need it.
State coalitions are organizations that support those affected by domestic violence, advocate for effective policies, and collaborate with local service providers. They provide training, resources, and guidance to local programs, ensuring survivors have access to the support and services they need. Through public awareness campaigns and policy advocacy, state coalitions strive to prevent domestic violence and promote safe communities across the nation.

DV Coalitions in Zonta District 1 – ready to partner with Zonta 

Connecticut  CTCADV.org

Maine   MCEDV,org

Massachusetts  JaneDoe.org

New Hampshire  www.nbhcadsv.org

Rhode Island   RICADV.org

Vermont    VTNetwork.org

Nova Scotia  thans.ca/

… Read the rest

Wouldn’t it be one of the best feelings in your lifetime to know that you helped to get the United States 28^th Equal Rights Amendment to become law! Not only will this personal feeling of accomplishment be gratifying but it will also “build a better world for women and girls” of the future. What a legacy!!

So how can you help achieve this goal? Get your sister Zontian members, friends, family members, and coworkers to sign the Sign4ERA.org petition! Post a link on your social media accounts and ask individuals to “share it”. The goal is to get at least 1 million signatures by November.

You can share the QR code (above) and the link www.sign4era.org to the petition.

This petition will bring attention to the future Congress who must immediately recognize the Equal Rights Amendment Joint Resolution which you can read the description of on the petition page.

The Zonta Club of Concord has been holding permitted events in the city to obtain signatures from passersby and will continue to do until at least the end of the summer. We have also posted a large sign in a vacant storefront window that includes the QR code and link to the petition for anyone to either take a picture of or actually take the time to sign the online petition while standing there.

• House Joint Resolution 80 (H.J.Res.80): View the text on Congress.gov, which was introduced on March 24, 2025.
• Senate Joint Resolution 38 (S.J.Res.38): View the text on Congress.gov, which is a related resolution addressing the same issue.
• Additional Resources: The ERA Action Toolkit by Zonta USA Caucus provides context and links regarding the legal status of the Equal Rights Amendment. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

District 1 Zonta Biennium Reflection and Goal Planning
A guide for District 1 Zonta Clubs in assessing service accomplishments, identifying advocacy priorities, and setting actionable goals for the upcoming biennium.

1. Reflect on Service Successes:
   What service projects made the greatest impact?
   Which projects sparked pride and engagement?
2. Connect Service to Advocacy
   For each favorite service project, ask: Why is this service needed? Identify systemic issues that perpetuate the need for service.
   Brainstorm what policy or funding changes could eliminate the need for that service.
3. Identify Advocacy Priorities (Core Zonta Focus Areas and Club-Specific Issues)
   Zonta Says No: Domestic violence prevention
   Zonta Says Now: Climate justice
   Ending child marriage: Continue vigilance and support globally
   What advocacy issues are unique to your community?
   Use club meetings to brainstorm and vote on priorities.
4. Use Zonta Resources
   Advocacy Video: Show ZI’s advocacy video: https://youtu.be/nHNSFPXOBpY
   Read aloud ZI’s January statement on U.S. withdrawal from multilateral institutions.
   Attend Canada/U.S. Advocacy Caucus virtual meetings; encourage nondelegates to drop in and learn.

3. Support the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA)
   National Advocacy: Join the movement to make the ERA the 28th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
   Mobilize club members to write, speak, and act in support.
4. Set Goals for Next Biennium
   SMART Goals: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound
   Examples: Host 2 advocacy events per year; Convert 1 service project into an advocacy campaign; Attend 3 virtual caucus meetings as a club
5. Celebrate and Mobilize
   Empowerment Message: Remind members that we are a mighty entity in an age of global uncertainty.
   Frame Zonta as a continuation of the suffragist legacy.
   Call to Action: Together, we can make a difference.

… Read the rest

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