Mission

ZONTA is a global, politically and religiously independent human rights organisation that works on a voluntary basis to build a better world for women and girls.

Vision

Zonta International’s vision is a world where

• women’s rights are recognised as human rights and
• every woman has equal opportunities for education and employment
• women are equally represented in decision-making alongside men
• no woman lives in fear of violence

Zonta’s core values

These values form the foundation of our membership. They reflect our shared beliefs and guide how we treat each other, our supporters, our friends and our communities. The values were developed based on feedback from Zonta members around the world.

Zonta International members advocate for the rights of women and girls and believe that the world can be made a better place. We carry out this mission through local and international service projects and by being a credible and visible voice for gender equality.

The Zonta Spirit is the heart and soul of Zonta International. It creates a strong sense of community, respect and friendship in an open and inclusive atmosphere. Our global membership is at its strongest when we cherish and promote the Zonta Spirit. We find joy in our work when we collaborate with like-minded people from different countries and cultures.

We are committed to building and maintaining a community where every member is valued, feels a sense of belonging and works meaningfully towards a common goal. We bring our values to life by working together to defend women’s rights and create a better world for women and girls.

At Zonta, we value:

A global community

We believe that strong, caring and lasting relationships between members and communities are at the heart of our work. We are at our best when we collaborate and support each other. We also value the contributions of other like-minded organisations in achieving our common goal – it demonstrates humility, wisdom and commitment to mutual progress.
The Zonta community is global. Together, we can achieve more than any of us can alone.

Friendship

Working together towards our goals creates a unique bond between us. Our mission unites us and creates friendship. We build friendship by respecting each other, being honest and striving to understand each other. We work together, learn from each other and support each other. We work with determination, but we also find time for joy and togetherness. We value friendships that grow stronger and deeper over the years.

Equality and inclusion

Everyone has the right to be treated equally and to have equal opportunities to participate in our activities. At Zonta, every member is seen, heard and valued. Equality and inclusion create a basis for open discussion and strengthen team spirit.

Respect

We treat everyone with respect, dignity, fairness and kindness. Respect is the foundation of all good interaction and personal growth. We value different perspectives and treat everyone with empathy and compassion. By respecting our members, friends, supporters and partners, we build stronger relationships and a better community.

Honesty

Honesty is the foundation of trust, ethical behaviour and strong character. It is the key to building lasting trust. Zontas promote open, truthful communication and ethical decision-making. Our actions are guided by our principles, and we remain faithful to them. We are honest and straightforward in carrying out our mission – to make the world a better place for women and girls.