Zonta International elevates equality on Earth Day

Oak Brook, April 22, 2025 — Zonta International recognizes Earth Day as an opportunity to elevate the issue of gender equality. In times of extreme weather events, research shows that women often face greater challenges in recovering than men.

This disparity stems from systemic gender inequalities that result in women having access to fewer resources and opportunities. As more climate-related disasters occur, the gap between men and women widens, complicating women’s ability to rebuild their lives in the face of obstacles to their education, employment, legal rights and leadership roles.

During climate-related disasters, women face increased risks of injury or loss of life, job displacement, or being forced into difficult circumstances for survival.

Furthermore, girls are particularly vulnerable, often facing the risk of early marriage or leaving school prematurely. Climate-related disasters require swift and decisive actions. The time to prepare is now and we must ensure the needs of women and girls are met before disaster strikes.

In light of these challenges, Zonta International released a “Statement on Climate Change: A Gender Equality Issue,” and calls upon all stakeholders to work together to promote gender equality and ensure that both women and men have equal opportunities and resources to thrive.

Zonta International empowers women and girls at the global and local levels and seeks to ensure gender-equal climate action and achieve greener, cleaner, and equal societies through the Zonta Says NOW to Gender-Equal Climate Action and the Climate Empower: Community Empowerment and Innovation for Gender-Transformative Climate Action initiatives.

They are inviting all members of the global community to join them in the shared responsibility as stewards of our planet. Together, we can build a better world for women and girls by promoting climate-conscious practices in our daily lives and beyond.

Learn more at www.zonta.org.