Three major projects are funded by contributions to the Zonta International Foundation, International Service Fund from members worldwide for the 2004 - 2006 Biennium.

1. HIV/AIDS and Poverty

CARE International Mata Masu Dubara (Women on the Move): Microcredit and Health Education for HIV/AIDS -Affected Women in Niger
US$297,393 to CARE International (New project)

The Foundation-funded CARE International project Microcredit and Health Education for HIV/AIDS-Affected Women in Niger will reach more than 7,000 women and children in an area of Niger hardest hit by the epidemic. The project establishes savings and loans groups that increase women's financial stability and social status while creating a safe environment to discuss HIV/AIDS.

2. Bosnia and Herzegovina

Anti-Trafficking Community Mobilization
US$300,000 to STAR Network of World Learning (Continuing project)

The goal of the BATCOM Project is to strengthen the capacity of BH women to lead community mobilization campaigns to prevent trafficking in women and girls for sexual exploitation, and to generate maximum levels of local involvement from health officials, police, teachers, cultural workers, religious leaders, and youth groups. The project addresses both policy advocacy – for the education of public officials in designing enforceable laws and policies that stop trafficking, respond compassionately to victims, and punish offenders – and local prevention – through vigorous community education directed at young people, families, and schools.

3. Access to Education and Health Care

Afghanistan: Improving Women’s Lives
US$100,160 to Afghanistan Institute of Learning and US Fund for UNICEF (Continuing project)

Before 1996 Afghan women formed 50 percent of government workers, 70 percent of all teachers and 40 percent of medical personnel. Today, the women of Afghanistan know what it means to be displaced, to have one of the highest rates of maternal and child mortality, one of the lowest rates of access to education and health care, and total exclusion from public life and decision making in recent years.

In response to Zontians' dedication to Improving Women's Lives in Afghanistan, the 2004-2006 International Service projects will continue to focus on the long-term improvement of the quality of life for Afghan women, specifically in rural areas.

Zonta Advocacy

Zonta also advances the status of women through advocacy. Zonta International is a non-governmental organisation (NGO), which has Consultative Status with the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF), the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM), the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the Council of Europe; General Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC); and Operational Relations with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisations (UNESCO).

Individual Clubs

Clubs conduct forums and lobby local and national governments on women's issues and work together with other women's organisations to raise the legal, political, economic, educational, health and professional status of women around the world.

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