Advocacy

Zonta Says No to Violence Against Women

The Zonta club of Adelaide advocates for measures to reduce/eliminate violence against women. Zonta has for many years been involved in the 16 Days of Activism promoted by the United Nations. Members have attended rallies to raise awareness.

Read more about reducing violence against women and girls...
  • Zonta Says No to Violence Against Women – Zonta International has led a campaign for many years where Zonta clubs around the world advocate for change.
  • 16 Days of Activism –Zonta clubs all over the world actively support the United Nations initiative. The Zonta Club of Adelaide runs programs and events annually from 25 November the International Day for Elimination of Violence Against Women until 10 December, Human Rights Day, to raise awareness of gender based violence. For more information go to https://unwomen.org.au/16-days-of-activism-against-gender-based-violence
  • Financial Abuse of Women – a more insidious form of violence. Members of the Advocacy committee recently had success in contacting banks re financial abuse and requesting a conversation. Of the five banks that responded, there was a range of positions. Some were aware and already had a strategy in place. Overall there was a positive response from the banks to the club’s initiative.
  • Sexual Harassment in Parliament – The Advocacy Committee has contacted parliamentarians about this issue. Parliament is responding due to community pressure.
  • The Club is a member of National Council of Women SA and works collaboratively with that organisation and other like-minded organisations to join forces to seek change.

Homelessness particularly among older women

The Zonta club of Adelaide raises awareness of the issue. Older women have been the fastest-growing group of homeless people in recent years. New research shows about 240,000 women aged 55 or older and another 165,000 women aged 45-54 are at risk.

Read more about advocating for homeless older women...
  • Running forums to inform Zontians on the problem – guest speakers to club meetings have shared their thoughts and information regarding the homeless women in our community. The club has worked with other Zonta clubs and like- minded organisations for members to become better informed and to inform others. The club hosted a workshop on this issue inviting members of local Zonta clubs and others to attend and hear from politicians across party lines: Hon Vicki Chapman MP, Hon Tammy Franks MLC, Hon Michelle Lensink MLC and Ms Nat Cook MP.
  • Advocating for changes in State government policy by working with other Zonta clubs and like-minded women’s organisations and consulting with politicians.

For more information go to: Australian HR Commission Report April 2019

Awareness and Appropriate Response

Keeping abreast of matters affecting women in the political and social fields and responding as appropriate.

The Zonta Club of Adelaide does this through its support and engagement with Zonta International on a global stage and locally through working with other Zonta clubs and like-minded organisations.

 

  • The Zonta Club of Adelaide in September 2021 made a statement in support of the women and girls in Afghanistan.
  • Zonta International has also made a statement see LINK for more information
Read more about Awareness and Appropriate Response
  • Zonta International provides members and clubs with regular updates via email, website articles and newsletters on their advocacy actions through the Council of Europe, United Nations and their presence at the Commission on the Status of Women Conference every year.
  • Zonta International has added an additional advocacy focus by recognising that Climate Change is a Gender Equality issue and that the key to change is through education of girls. For more information go to

Link to Zonta International statement on Climate Change

Link to District 23 Zonta Says NOW to Climate change and gender equity

  • Current local matters include legislation on coercive control and decriminalisation of sex work.

Women’s health going backwards?

Zonta Club of Adelaide member, Dr Aileen Conor was interviewed about the abortion laws being repealed in the US. The interview was published in the INDAILY on 12/8/2022 and can be accessed here:

https://indaily.com.au/news/2022/08/12/named-shamed-interrogated-while-dying-the-women-the-law-put-last/?fbclid=IwAR1p1raP8XAFcnhDfmtMI10Bzohg2V1N6Rb-YkA_8TdC7Z_IW7Yf9F8cQFE

 

Club Advocacy Projects

Walk In My Shoes

Walk in My Shoes was a project initiated by the Zonta Club of Adelaide to raise awareness of domestic violence and to give a voice to survivors. The book was developed from stories written at a workshop facilitated by two club members. The book and a display of women’s shoes representing each of the stories were displayed at many venues in Adelaide and toured other states.

Zonta Young Women’s Leadership Program

This program initiated by Zonta Club of Adelaide in 2019 is a partnership between the club the training provider, Leaders Insitute of SA and two schools – Adelaide High School and Mitcham Girls High School. The program comprises two days of training, followed by project work over a period of 8 weeks, undertaken in small groups with a Zonta member as a mentor. The culmination of the program is the presentation of the projects by the students at their Graduation to their peers, mentors, Zonta members, teachers, family and friends.


The background to the leadership program
In 2019 the club partnered with Mitcham Girls High and Adelaide High schools to hold a Young Women Leadership Course. Club fundraising funds with a top-up from each school was able to pay for a YWCA Facilitator for the course to enable 20 young women to learn about different leadership styles and practice leadership skills.
During 2020 and 2021 Psychology students on  Intern placements undertook research on Leadership Course best practice models and how to incorporate community practice projects into a course.
In the second half of 2021, the club partnered with the Leaders Institute to provide a further course with 15 students from Years 10, 11 and 12 at both schools. In this course, 5 community projects were undertaken for 8 weeks after the formal training. Each project team was allocated a Zonta member as a mentor to work with them on the projects, enabling the students to practice the knowledge acquired from the course.
In 2022 a third Young Women Leadership program has been offered to Year 10 students from both schools. The Graduation was a great success – see photos below.