Zonta International District 23, Area 5

Awarded for service to volunteering; arts and media; human rights, justice and corrections; prevention of domestic and family violence; community advocacy and inclusion

Formed in Tasmania: 1971

Entered on roll: 2021

Advocacy and service for women and girls

Zonta International is a worldwide organisation of women committed to improving the legal, political, economic, educational and health status of women.

Zonta was founded internationally in 1919. The first Tasmanian Zonta Club was established in 1971. Tasmania now has five incorporated Zonta clubs encompassing all regions of the State.

The goal of Zonta is gender equality. All clubs work to achieve this through advocacy, identifying and responding to issues, and participating in projects that respond to the needs of their local communities.

Women’s health has been a major focus of Zonta. Tasmanian Zonta clubs have been organising breast cushion sewing days since 2000, making cushions that provide comfort in the post-operative stages of breast cancer treatment. The cushions are donated to hospitals state-wide.

Through service, advocacy and fundraising, Zonta has supported women and children who find themselves homeless or in need of practical assistance. Women’s shelters and sexual assault services have received financial and practical support from Zonta Clubs across the state since the 1970s.

The “Zonta Says No to Violence Against Women” campaign has been operating since 2010.  Zonta members regularly participate in White Ribbon Day rallies and 16 Days of Activism to raise awareness of gender violence. Zonta has also established Zonta Missing Person Memorials, which give families and friends of missing persons a place to remember their loved ones.

Zonta promotes education for women and girls. All Tasmanian Zonta clubs contribute funding to the Jane M Klausman Women in Business scholarship, offered through the University of Tasmania. Funding is also provided to the Migrant Resource Centre to deliver programs supporting young girls and women requiring additional assistance.

Z Clubs have been established at Ogilvie and Kingston High Schools. The Z Clubs aim to help students design and participate in service activities that benefit their schools and local communities, and to produce Birthing Kits for women in developing countries.

Zonta Clubs supports the annual Women’s Art Prize Tasmania by raising $1,500 a year for the Emerging Artist Award.