1. Advocacy Committee Chairman 2016 - 2018
Zonta Advocacy
Area 2 Meeting April 1 - 2, 2017
Jan Landsberg
Advocacy Committee Chairman
Good afternoon……………………..
Today I plan to ..
Review what advocacy is
Talk about the range of Zonta advocacy resources
Discuss ZI advocacy goals & identified priorities
Explore these priorities and
Review what can be done at a local level.

2. Zonta and Advocacy
A decade ago, at the 58th International Convention in Melbourne in 2006, the delegates approved a new strategic plan that incorporated ADVOCACY in Zonta’s first objective and mission statements.
Mission :
Zonta International is a leading global organization of professionals empowering women worldwide through service and advocacy.
Though I think that if you reflect on Zonta’s history, even though the word advocacy was not actually included, Zontians have certainly been advocating for women’s rights since the establishment of ZI!
The Objectives of Zonta International :
To improve the legal, political, economic, educational, health and professional status of women at the global and local level through service and advocacy. 2

3. Access to all resources
Zonta’s Vision
Gender Equality
Women’s rights are recognized as human rights
Empowerment
Every woman is able to achieve her full potential
Women have access to all resources and are represented in decision making positions on an equal basis with men
Access to all resources
All things to advocate for!
A life free of violence
No woman lives in fear of violence

4. What is Advocacy?
Advocacy is the expression of support for or opposition to a cause, argument or proposal. Advocacy may include influencing laws, legislation or attitudes. Zonta advocacy is an action taken in “the public interest” or for “the greater good” with respect to empowering women and girls and advancing their human rights. Zonta International, its districts, and its clubs shall be nonpartisan and nonsectarian. (ZI Bylaws Article III Policy, Section 1.)
So what is Advocacy? Lets recap….. Advocacy is action directed at change -- in attitudes, policies, laws & practices.
It involves…
1.identifying & developing awareness of a problem,
2.analyzing causes & alternatives,
3.developing recommendations to solve the problem,
4. building support for the proposed solutions, and
5.seeing proposals through to enactment
Advocacy is integrated with Service, Scholarships & Awards, in fact with all areas of Zonta.
Every Zonta district & club around the world implements its own service, scholarship, & advocacy initiatives, in addition to supporting international initiatives. 4

5. Resources There are many Zonta resources to assist you.
Policies and Procedures
ZI Objects and Policy, Bylaws Article II and III
Advocacy Definitions and Policy, with Guidelines
Affiliation with Other Organizations Policy, with Guidelines
Zonta Advocacy – When? Who? How?
Advocacy Project Scorecard
Advocacy framework (per CEDAW)
Women’s Reproductive Health Policy
Position Papers and Statements
Advocating for Women’s issues – the Zonta path - Feb. 2017
Zonta International, politics & political parties – March 2017
Newsletters and Electronic resources
Zonta International,District 22 Governor and Advocacy newsletters
ZI and District 22 Websites and Facebook pages
International and District Advocacy Committee members
There are many Zonta resources to assist you.
Two recent statements “Advocating for Women’s issues – the Zonta path” Feb & “ZI, politics & political parties” – March 2017
Posted on D 22 website. I encourage you to read them in full, but key points are:
They address issues of changes worldwide which are putting at risk women’s rights, therefore our advocacy actions are needed more than ever!
HOWEVER, It is therefore very important that we continue to adhere to Zonta’s policies and procedures
Please be clear that Zonta International, its districts and clubs in all communication, verbal or written
SHALL BE non-partisan and non-sectarian
SHALL follow Zonta International’s advocacy policy when advocating locally and globally on issues
that will improve the lives of women and girls
SHALL NOT ADVOCATE FOR NOR AGAINST political parties or the appointment of specific persons to
any political positions in any country.
Individual members SHALL NOT use district/club websites or district /club social media pages to
express personal views -
NB – NOT SIGNING PETITIONS in the name of Zonta or if you may be associated with Zonta, especially those being circulated widely on social media or .

6. ADVOCACY TOOLS Please sign in first at www.zonta.org:
You will have received information about the current ZI website upgrade, especially related to the membership pages
New log in details are to be ed to members in early April.
All members will then need to reset their password to log into the ZI website
Members will need to have their address registered with ZI to be able to log in
Then select the tools:

7. District 22 website
Not enough time to regularly check websites!

8. 2016 – 2018 Chairmen and HQ support
Advocacy
Maria Jose Landeira Oestergaard HQ
Megan Radavich
International
Advocacy
There is a network of support throughout the various Zonta levels UN
Leslie Wright
Council of Europe
Anita Schnetzer-Spranger

9. 2016 – 2018 Chairmen and District 22 support
Zonta International Advocacy Committee Liaison
Bridget Mather
District
Advocacy
District 22
Advocacy Committee Chairman
Jan Landsberg
District 22
UN Committee Chairman
Bridget Mather
Club
Advocacy
District 22 Clubs’ Advocacy and UN Committee Chairmen

10. ZI Advocacy Goals
Zonta International is a leading advocate for women’s rights.
All advocacy actions are in-line with the strategic plan and have measurable impact. When relevant, cooperation with like-minded organizations is initiated.
Further develop Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women Campaign
Develop actions in support of the Women’s Empowerment Principles
b) Zonta International utilizes its consultative and participatory status at the UN and Council of Europe to ensure equality and a life free of violence for all women.
Zonta advocates for Sustainable Development Goal No. 5 – Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.
c) Zonta International encourages Zonta clubs to cooperate across district borders to engage in advocacy actions at national level.
d) Men are engaged as partners for gender equality.
ZI endorses the HeForShe campaign and encourages Zonta Clubs to engage men in the community to join the campaign

11. ZI District 22 Strategic Plan 2016 - 2018
ADVOCACY
In addition:
CLUBS
Provide an annual Advocacy report to the D22 Advocacy Chairman, demonstrating all actions are in line with ZI’s Strategic plan and Zonta Affiliation with Other Organisations Policy Guidelines”, including any engagement with like-minded organisations
Support the “Zonta Says No” campaign, as evidenced by reports to D22 Advocacy Chairman, Area Directors and Facebook activity
Focus on relevant UN International Days
Report commemoration of UN day in October
Engage men in the community to join ZI projects/campaigns

12. ZI research has identified two major issues
Violence against women
Gender inequality
Not a surprise & a major emphases for our Zonta advocacy campaigns……………………

13. Advocacy Issues
Examples of issues that can be selected by clubs, districts and at national level
Violence Against Women
Domestic / Family
In the work place – is being more recognised as an issue
Violence in schools and university campuses
Violence in the open spaces
Violence against indigenous women
Violence in armed conflicts and with refugees
Human trafficking and slavery
Female genital mutilation
Early marriage
Cyber bullying, sexting and other harmful practices
Equal Rights
Equal access to education at all levels
Equal pay for equal work
Equal access to the work place
Equal access to leadership positions in the work place
Equal access to decision making positions
Equal access to land, property and housing
Value unpaid work; share
household responsibility
Economic security
Parental leave, flexible work
Challenge gender stereotypes

14. 1.Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women
“Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women” is a Zonta International campaign to raise awareness of and increase actions to end violence against women and girls around the world.
The campaign, which began in November 2012 and has gone from strength to strength since then,
features the service and advocacy actions of Zonta clubs and districts to prevent and end violence against women and girls in their local communities.
All clubs have embraced this campaign enthusiastically…………………. Congratulations!
Just need to continue to broaden and strengthen the areas targeted.
So I don’t plan to elaborate further on this area today.

15. 2.Envision Equality - Empower Women
Australia is ranked number 1 for educational attainment
BUT only 46th for overall gender equality due to low levels of economic participation & political empowerment
62% of men in Australia think that women have equal opportunities, as opposed to 48% of women
The Australian community continues to hold on to gender stereotypes
Positive example - In the last year some positive gains have been made with women’s sport having a higher profile & becoming more mainstream
More games are being broadcast on TV & also on primary channels
Attendance at games has been very positive
A spotlight has been shone on discriminatory contact inclusions & low remuneration, compared to their male colleagues, - & this is being addressed, with the Southern Stars Women’s cricket team recently getting over 100% increase in salaries.
Public awareness & public advocating appears to have had an influence on this
References: Global Gender Gap Report World Economic Forum
‘’A conversation in gender equality” March Kate Jenkins, Australian Sex Discrimination Commissioner 15

16. Gender Pay Gap – Advocate for Equality
No country in the world has achieved gender equality (UN Women)
It may take 118 years to close the gender pay gap (World Economic Forum)
Australia –
Gender Pay Gap 2016 –
23.1%,
and is increasing
Source: Australia’s gender equality scorecard November 2016

17. Gender Equality in Australia
Source: Australia’s gender equality scorecard November 2016

18. Gender Equality in Australia18

19. Employer Action on Gender Equality
Source: Australia’s gender equality scorecard November 2016

20. Support Equal Pay Day
Equal Pay Day in Australia marks the time from the end of the previous financial year that women must work, to earn the same pay as men.
In 2016 it fell on Thursday 8 September.
Will it be earlier or later in 2017?
A campaign worth supporting!
US will be advocating on 8 April – so watch out for US Zontians campaigning!
They regularly mark the event in April. 20

21. Sustainable Development Goals
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were adopted by the United Nations on 25 September 2015, to replace the MDGs. Zonta International supports all the goals; however, for the next two years, we are focusing our efforts on Goal No. 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.

22. Zonta‘s focus – SDG 5 Targets
End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere
End all forms of violence against women: in public & private spheres, including trafficking, sexual & other types of exploitation
End harmful practices: child, early and forced marriage and female genital mutilation
Value unpaid care & work; share household responsibility
Ensure women’s full & effective participation & equal opportunities in leadership and decision making
Ensure universal access to sexual & reproductive health care and reproductive rights
Equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to ownership and control over property & financial services
Enhance use of enabling technology
Adopt & strengthen policies & legislation for promotion of gender equality &
empowerment of women & girls at all levels
ZI Forms - UN- Local Service And Advocacy Reporting Form for the UN SDGs – online form.
Please fill in this form………………………………
Your club will have completed this form earlier this year for UN Committee Chair Bridget Mather.
Sustainable Development Goal No. 5 Targets

23. Advocate around UN Days
Most Clubs celebrate these UN days
10 December
25 November
Some other UN Days providing advocacy opportunities
All clubs celebrate IWD & the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, kicking off the 16 Days of Activism.
Many also recognise United Nations Day and Human Rights Day – but not as publically.
There are many relevant UN Days - & this is not an exhaustive list – that provide great opportunities for developing advocacy actions.
Women & Girls in Science, Rural Women & Women with disabilities – are often more disadvantaged.
Women in retirement often live in poverty, because of lower wages, time out of workforce & limited superannuation.
Older women are often the target of elder abuse – financial, emotional.
Trafficking, FGM & child marriage are being reported as issues in Australia.
8 September
11 October 23

24. Involve men HeForShe Campaign White Ribbon
Week of Service – collaborate with men’s service organisations
Perpetrator programs
Actively engage men in a meaningful way to support gender equality
Week of Service is a new initiative in 2017 – plan to collaborate on an event in 2018.
25 – 31 March

25. Together we are stronger!
Women and Men with a Common Purpose
Empowering Women – through SERVICE AND ADVOCACY
Participate
Advocate
Achieve
Achieve greater impact internationally by combining our voices with like-minded organizations
Work with government and community leaders who share common goals
Together we are stronger! 26

26. Our ZI Advocacy Partners
WEPs – No time to expand on these today, but please go to the website to find out more. 26

27. Zonta Advocacy - When, Who, How?
Takes actions, mainly in relation to the UN
Inspire local and national efforts
Provide tools
International level (Convention, ZI Board)
Educate, inspire
Provide information and guidance
Coordinate club actions
District level (Conference, District Board)
Identify important local issues
Educate members, find facts
Take action, follow up, act as “watch dog”
Club level (Club meetings, Club Board)
Always evaluate and measure success!
All levels
Issues under state laws – letters DG signature
Issues under federal laws
- Combined Districts 22, 23 & 24
response as Zonta Australia
Issues under local government laws – communicate with local council 27

28. What can clubs and districts do?
Know and understand Zonta International goals, policies and use resources
Keep abreast of what is going on in your community
Have you found your voice or are you still relying on others? – Step Up!
Where do you and your club fit in, to solve problems and make a difference?
Research what the key community issues are and what your members care about
Keep abreast of what your government is doing and monitor and influence relevant legislation
Get on decision-making committees and boards

29. What can clubs and districts do?
Work within coalitions, following ZI guidelines, including with other Zonta clubs
Coordinate your Service, Advocacy, UN, Awards and Membership projects, linking to advocacy goals
Document, monitor, follow-up, evaluate then plan your next steps
Publicize you activity widely and regularly, within your community, on social media and to District and Zonta International
Publicise regularly on your social media pages & post to ZI Share Your Story.
Your local social media posts will then often be shared onto the District 22 social media pages for wider exposure.
Share Your Story is distributed by ZI to clubs worldwide if registered with ZI, you will have been getting many stories into your inbox.

30. Be visible and be heard – make a difference!
Thank you