1. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to speak to you today
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to speak to you today. I would like to tell you about the foundation, goals for the current biennium, Zonta’s accomplishments and how your contributions help Zonta change the lives of women and girls around the world.

2. Herisoa from Madagascar
This is Herisoa, a participant of the Let Us Learn Madagascar project. Herisoa was elected by her peers as president of her school’s club and leads anti-violence initiatives and promotes children’s rights in her village and in her school. President Sonja Hönig Schough describes Herisoa as a young leader that is very proud of her role as Club President, she wants to complete her education and continue to secondary school.
Through the Let Us Learn Madagascar program, she is provided with a school that is safely built and can withstand the regions extreme weather conditions, trained and supportive teachers, general school supplies.
By supporting Zonta International Foundation, we can help girls like Herisoa stay in school and release their full potential to impact their peers, families, and communities.

3. Zonta International Foundation Funding
Funds the charitable and education programs of Zonta International.
Contributions go entirely to program support and implementation.
Zonta International Foundation membership dues support ZIF operating expenses.
Clubs are requested to give 1/3 of funds raised to ZIF
Friends of Zonta
Zonta Clubs
Zonta Members
Because dues paid to Zonta International support the operating costs of the Foundation, all of the contributions made to the Foundation can go directly to program support.
Dues are not donations.
The Foundation’s revenues come from donations from Zonta clubs, Zontians, and friends of Zonta. Clubs are strongly encouraged to give at least 1/3 of the funds raised locally to the Foundation, keeping up to 2/3 for local service programs.

4. 2016-2018 Fundraising Goal US$5,376,000 Project Agency Title USD ISP
Towards Elimination of Obstetric Fistula and the Reduction of Maternal and Newborn Mortality and Morbidity in Liberia
1,000,000
Let Us Learn Madagascar: An Integrated Program for Adolescent Girls
ZISVAW
Initiative for Adolescent Girls in Niger: Knowledge for Dignity
The Future We Want: Creating Sustainable Foundations for Addressing Human Trafficking and Unsafe Migration of Women and Girls in Nepal
Education Programs
Amelia Earhart Fellowships
700,000
Jane M. Klausman Women in Business Scholarships
232,000
Young Women in Public Affairs Awards
144,000
Rose Fund
300,000
Total
5,376,000
For our fundraising goal is US$ 5,376,000. The goal was set by the President-Elect, accepted by the ZIF Finance Committee and approved by the Zonta International Board to be sent to the Convention for voting.
The projects were adopted by the Convention. By adopting the projects, clubs are committed to funding the programs. We raise funds to support the programs of the current biennium. If we do not raise the full amount, we have to use reserves. It is important that we do not rely on the reserves and raise the money in the current biennium.
The Rose Fund is the unrestricted fund which is used to supplement the funding of the other funds at the end of the biennium. It is always okay to go over this budget amount.

5. ZISVAW: Respecting the Rights and Responding to the Needs of Adolescent Girls in Niger
Provides skills, health knowledge, and economic and social empowerment to teenage girls, and creates an environment for girls to exercise their rights.
Goals:
Reduce early marriage and early pregnancy in Niger. Adolescents will:
Develop health, social, and economic assets
Know their rights and be in a stronger position to defend them
Be safer and have a measure of protection against violence.
Niger has the highest child marriage rate in the world. 30 percent of adolescent girls are married before 15 years old and 77 percent before percent of them give birth before 17 years old. Girls are exposed to medical and social risks, limiting their potential and their development.
The goal of this project is to reduce early marriage and early pregnancy in Niger.
Zonta International began supporting the Niger child marriage project in the Biennium to help reduce early marriage and early pregnancy in a critical mass of communities and departments in four regions of Niger.
Zonta has continued its support for this project with an additional US$1 million in to build upon progress already made. This project is part of a five-year global initiative in which 11,000 girls will be reached over two years, with members of their community benefiting from increased awareness.
Photo | What Took You So Long
Commitment: US$1 million

6. ZISVAW: Respecting the Rights and Responding to the Needs of Adolescent Girls in Niger
With an average cost of US$85 per girl, Zonta’s contribution will enable approximately 11,000 adolescents to participate in the program from
The program is designed to build the health, social, and economic assets of adolescent girls’ for their empowerment, to arm them to protect themselves against early and forced marriage and early pregnancy.
The following strategies are developed to reach different objectives:
Empower girls: In community-based safe spaces, where the girls feel secure, they are mentored by an older female in groups of 20.
Promote social change: During dialogues organized by community facilitators and home visits by mentors, they raise awareness and advocate against early and forced marriage and teenage pregnancy. They also promote reproductive health and rights of girls.
Monitor, evaluate and create evidence for advocacy: Evidence generated by this program is used to feed into national policymaking and advocate for positive legal and legislative change.
Photo | What Took You So Long

7. ZISVAW: Respecting the Rights and Responding to the Needs of Adolescent Girls in Niger
Project Update:
Reached 14,424 adolescent girls in 160 villages of Niger.
16 girls were reported as being newly pregnant at the end of the initiative, compared to 98 newly pregnant girls at the beginning
57% of married adolescents were using a contraceptive method at the end, compared to 16% when the initiative started
1,189 community dialogue sessions were held, reaching approximately 64,282 people.
In Tajaé Roumbouki and Faska (Tahoua Region), the population and leaders have decided to set up monitoring and anti-child marriage committees. In Guidan Amoumoune (Maradi Region), these same committees have begun to debate on radio and to participate in
public radio broadcasts in the city.

8. ZISVAW: Addressing Human Trafficking and Unsafe Migration in Nepal
Prevention and response to human trafficking through policy reform, awareness and programs that meet the needs of women at-risk, and provides alternatives to unsafe migration.
Goals:
Create sustainable foundations for addressing the link between human trafficking and foreign labor
Direct beneficiaries trafficking survivors and women migrants.
Indirect beneficiaries - 100,000 young people, local authorities, schools, families of migrants and other locals.
Nepal has long been a country of origin for labor migration and trafficking in persons, particularly women and children, for the purposes of sexual, labor and other forms of exploitation.
After the April and May 2015 earthquakes, Nepal faces a heightened risk of human trafficking and unsafe migration. Some of the districts most affected by the earthquakes are historically known for high rates of trafficking of women and children and may thus face elevated levels of human trafficking.
Commitment: US$1 million

9. ZISVAW: Addressing Human Trafficking and Unsafe Migration in Nepal
Project Update:
Gained a better understanding of underlying risk factors for women in the selected districts.
Engaged in public awareness campaigns to challenge gender-based discrimination.
Enhanced technical skills for job placement for trafficking survivors and returnee women migrant workers.
Initiated preparation for a policy assessment to identify operational gaps in the existing legislations, policies and programs on gender equality and women’s empowerment and their implementation with a specific focus on foreign labor migration and human trafficking.
During a policy discussion, senior government officials and representatives of civil society organizations reached a common understanding of issues and challenges to address the links between labor migration and human trafficking.
While recognizing the Government’s ongoing efforts to address unsafe labor migration and human trafficking, interaction between the panelists and participants focused on the need for a functional coordination mechanism among ministries and government offices to fill the gaps in laws and policies, programs and implementation.

10. ISP: Eliminating Obstetric Fistula in Liberia
Working towards the elimination of obstetric fistula and the reduction of maternal mortality, morbidity and sexual violence against women.
Goals:
Improve the health and socio-economic status of more than 500 women and young girls.
Provide 500 survivors with quality treatment for fistula.
Increase knowledge of obstetric fistula in 50 communities.
Improve capacity of 50 local health practitioners .
Provide training for 8 specialist doctors in fistula management and care.
Zonta has supported efforts to eliminate obstetric fistula in Liberia since During the last biennium, the Liberia Fistula Project moved from project-based treatment to treatment integrated into the government's national health system.
Approximately four out of every 10 deliveries in Liberia is at risk for obstetric fistula, a childbirth injury usually caused by prolonged, obstructed labor without timely medical intervention, usually a caesarean section.
The cost of one fistula surgery and post-operative care is only US$675. The cost of social rehabilitation for a fistula survivor is approximately US$1,300.
Commitment:US$1 million

11. ISP: Eliminating Obstetric Fistula in Liberia
Project Update:
UNFPA Liberia has an outstanding track record in implementing the fistula project using the three-prong approach to service delivery: prevention, treatment of obstetric fistula, and rehabilitation and reintegration of women and young girls following treatment.
Since Zonta began supporting the project:
1,191 women and girls have been surgically treated
299 survivors have been rehabilitated
Between 1 January-31 December 2016:
25 fistula survivors, including 20 inoperable cases, were followed up via mobile communication and home visits.
33 skilled health workers were mentored on the use of catheters and partographs to prevent obstetric fistula.
The project is presently conducting skills training and adult literacy programs for 11 fistula survivors as part of its four to six months training cycle. The skills training curriculum includes tailoring, cosmetology (hairdressing/cosmetics), tie-dye, soap making, pastry making, interior decoration and the adult literacy program.
The project also continued to advocate for increased access to quality reproductive health services through community awareness, strategic advocacy meetings with stakeholders and airing of fistula prevention messages through the local radio stations. As a result, more than 4,000 community dwellers in hard-to-reach areas were informed about the causes, prevention and availability of fistula treatment.
During the next phase of the project the following activities are planned:
Increase strategic stakeholders meetings in rural and hard-to-reach communities to promote the prevention of fistula and support the mobilization of women suffering from obstetric fistula.
Provide additional equipment, drugs and medical supplies to increase quality of care at the centers of excellence for fistula repair and training.
Provide knowledge on family planning services for fistula survivors and link survivors with family planning service providers.
Provide psychosocial counseling services for fistula survivors (both obstetric and traumatic) at all levels of care.

12. ISP: Let Us Learn Madagascar:
An Integrated Program for Adolescent Girls
The Let Us Learn initiative addresses the barriers to girls’ education in Madagascar.
Goals:
• Create educational opportunities for
vulnerable and excluded girls in a secure and protective environment.
• Focused on three pillars: reaching out-of-school children; expanding girls’ education; improving quality
outcomes for learners.
Specific strategies to meet goals:
• Ensure that families and communities are aware of child protection laws, services and harmful practices against children and that they exhibit behaviors that protect adolescent girls from sexual violence, early marriage and exploitation, all factors that reduce girls’ continuing their education.
• Target girls in the 5th grade (last year of primary school) to receive peer support from girls in 7th grade (second year of junior secondary school) to facilitate their transition from primary to junior secondary school.
• Offer Conditional Cash Transfers (CCTs) to vulnerable girls from low-income families in their final year of primary school with conditions that include enrollment, passing grades, and minimum absenteeism from school.
• Construct four junior secondary school classrooms with water points and latrines to ensure healthy habits are taught, practiced and integrated into daily school routines and that appropriate facilities are available to students to ensure the physical and psychosocial health needed to stay in school. The construction of the classrooms will include the provision of school furniture, teaching and instructional materials and a sports field.
• Focus on violence prevention efforts at the individual, school, family and community levels to transform gender norms and attitudes that accept gender-based violence.
• Facilitate access to quality medical and psychosocial support for victims of violence within a reasonable timeframe through a coordinated community response.
Commitment: $1million

13. ISP: Let Us Learn Madagascar:
An Integrated Program for Adolescent Girls
Project Update:
Bidding has begun for the construction of 2 classrooms in the Anosy region.
Capacity-strengthening activities took place with 45 local supervisors of Youth Peer Educators and community volunteer coordinators.
600 households, caring for 1,800 children (out of the 1,000 households targeted with ZI funds) have received their first installment of the cash transfer (around US$9 per month).
139 social workers and Child Protection Network members were trained.
97 recreational kits have been ordered to benefit 26,600 pupils representing 100% of lower secondary schools in the two regions.
420 pedagogical material packs have been ordered.
Youth Peer Educators and community volunteer coordinators were trained to improve interpersonal communication and encourage adolescent girls and parents to prioritize school enrollment and retention. Participants were also provided with information on communicating the risks related to early child marriage, gender-based violence and other protection issues.
Child Protection Network members were trained on issues such as the organization and management of child protection data collection, case management and referral mechanisms. The objective is to increase local capacities to prevent and respond to violence including in schools. Girls who have been identified as victims of violence would be refereed to a Child Protection Network member.
Cash transfers are directly given to mothers to empower women and girls.
Recreational kits promote play, teamwork and socialization to improve the physical and mental wellbeing of students.
All 4 grades in each of the 97 lower secondary schools in Androy and Anosy will receive a pedagogical material pack which includes teaching and learning material.

14. Amelia Earhart Fellowship Fund Dr. Kimberly Ennico Smith
Commitment: US$700,000
US$700,000
35 US$10,000 Fellowships are awarded each year to recipients from all over the world
Dr. Kimberly Ennico Smith
AE Fellow
Deputy Project Scientist for NASA’s New Horizons Pluto fly-by mission
One of Zonta International’s longest-running programs is the Amelia Earhart Fellowship Program; this program is designed to expand opportunities for women in aerospace-related sciences and aerospace-related engineering.
Since the program’s inception, Zonta International has awarded 1,543 Amelia Earhart Fellowships, totaling more than US$9.7 million, to 1,114 women from 72 countries.
The AE Fellowship is highly sought by women from all around the world. This year, we received 124 applications. The AE Fellowship Committee wishes it could have awarded more than 35 fellowships to the other very deserving applicants.
Photo |NASA

15. Jane M. Klausman Women in Business Scholarship Fund
12 international scholarships of US$7,000 each
32 district/region scholarships of US$1,000 each
“I am so proud to be a JMK International Scholarship alumnus. The award was incredibly helpful in assisting me to complete my MBA program and achieving my ambitions in aerospace business management and leadership. I am also very grateful that the JMK award introduced me to Zonta International. I am honored to be a member of the organization and participate in improving the status of women worldwide.“
The Jane M. Klausman (JMK) Women in Business Scholarship is for women of any age, pursuing a business or business-related program who demonstrate outstanding potential in the field and are living or studying in a Zonta district/region.
In 2016, 30 recipients from 19 countries demonstrated outstanding achievements and potential in business or a business-related field. Since the program's inception in 1998, Zonta has awarded 484 Scholarships, totaling more than US$1.1 million, to 366 women from 54 countries.
To apply, candidates must search for the nearest Zonta club to them for information and deadlines as the application must be sent into a local Zonta club for consideration first.
Here we see one of our many successful scholars, Angela Whiteside. Originally from the United Kingdom, Angela currently lives in Huntington Beach, California with her husband, Zac, and 3-year old son Stellan. They have also just completed the adoption of a 4-year old girl from Sierra Leone and await her visa to be cleared sometime this year to join the family. Angela is Founder and President of her own engineering consultancy company, KickStage Consulting Inc., that specializes in providing agile technical and supply chain management services to the aerospace and hi-tech industries. She is also an active member of the Zonta Club of Newport Harbor.
Angela Whiteside, 2011 JMK International Scholarship Recipient

16. Young Women in Public Affairs Award
US$144,000
10 international awards of US$4,000 each
32 district/region awards of US$1,000 each
“I thank you, Zontians, for the International Young Women in Public Affairs Award. It means a lot for me. Its significance is not only to focus on what I have done, but to encourage me, a young woman, to go on and achieve more and to work harder for important issues. ”
The Young Women in Public Affairs Award recognizes young women for their commitment to the volunteer sector, evidence of volunteer leadership achievements and dedication to empowering women worldwide through service and advocacy. Since the program's inception, Zonta has given 846 awards (includes international awards), totaling US$836,750, to 724 young women from 56 countries.
This year, 32 exceptional applicants from 19 countries were considered in the final selection for the 10 international awards of US$4,000 each. We can be proud of these very outstanding young women and the commitment of our Zonta clubs to the YWPA Award!
If you attended last year’s convention in Nice, you might remembering hearing Anna Rukko’s story. As a child, Anna had been diagnosed with cancer and told she had no more than 2 months to live. She beat cancer and believes she has a mission to accomplish – to make our world a slightly better place to live in. During her chemo and treatments she loved making beaded necklaces and has turned her hobby into a fundraising action. She has sold self-made necklaces for over Euros to support a new pediatric hospital in Helsinki.
You’ll hear more inspiring stories from our scholars at our 2018 convention in Yokohama.
Anna Rukko, 2015 YWPA Recipient at the 2016 Zonta International Convention in Nice, France

17. As of 31 August 2017, the Foundation raised US$2,582,395
As of 31 August 2017, the Foundation raised US$2,582, which is 48.04% of our goal. The Foundation is tracking to close to where it normally does, but we need you. Without the support of our members and clubs, we will not be able to achieve our biennial goals. We will be able to improve the lives of so many women and girls throughout the world with your generous support.
The Rose Fund is the unrestricted fund which is used to complete the funding of the other funds at the end of the biennium. It is always okay to go over this budget amount.

18. Donate to one or more of the following Funds:
Rose Fund
International Service Fund
ZISVAW Fund
Amelia Earhart Fellowship Fund
Jane M. Klausman Women in Business Scholarship Fund
Young Women in Public Affairs Award Fund

19. Remember, every member makes a difference.
On 8 November 2017, Zonta International will celebrate its 98th birthday.  We invite you to join the celebration and help change the lives of women around the world. As a Zontian, you have already made a personal commitment to build a better world for women. During November, the Zonta International Foundation is asking all Zontians to make an individual donation to the Foundation. 
You have just heard about how our projects and programs, supported by the Zonta International Foundation, help women achieve a life free of violence and overcome gender barriers that hinder their access to health, education and professional advancement.
By making your personal donation to the Foundation this November you will join Zonta International in empowering women worldwide.

20. Zonta International Foundation How will you EMPOWER HER?
Thank you for all you do for Zonta and the Zonta International Foundation. Hopefully today’s presentation has helped you understand how your contributions help Zonta change the lives of women and girls around the world.
Zonta International Foundation
How will you EMPOWER HER?