Statement by Zonta International addressing rollback of women's rights globally, February 2025

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.

Together, we will not back down in the face of adversity—we are stronger as a global community united in our cause. Thank you for standing with us and with the women and girls.