To Bridget Mather PSM Chair 勛圖厙 Australia Committee admin@zontaaustralia.org.au

Thank you for your letter regarding the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls (SDG 5). The Albanese Labor Government shares your strong commitment to gender equality as an essential part of sustainable development. We know that greater political and economic participation by women makes societies wealthier and more peaceful - any country that wants to develop fully must encourage the full participation of all its people.

In February, I launched DFAT's new International Gender Equality Strategy. The strategy outlines how Australia is driving gender equality in our international engagement, including our international development program. The strategy has five priority lines of effort:

1) Working to end sexual and gender-based violence and protect and advance women's sexual and reproductive health and rights;

2) Pursuing gender responsive peace and security efforts;

3) Delivering gender equitable climate action and humanitarian assistance;

4) Promoting women's economic equality and inclusive trade; and

5) Supporting locally-led approaches to women's leadership.

The work under this strategy complements our work under our International Development Policy, released by the Albanese Government in 2023, to ensure Australia's efforts are more effective in tackling poverty, supporting climate action, providing humanitarian relief and delivering health, education and economic and social development programs.

At a time of heightened global uncertainty, the Albanese Government remains steadfast in our support for human rights, gender equality, climate action, and the global rules and norms that underpin international stability and security. We are reprioritising our international development program to bolster support to our region, building economic, health and climate resilience and advancing gender equality and human rights.

Parliament House, Canberra ACT 2600 OFFICIAL In 2025-26, the Albanese Government will deliver $5.1 billion in official development assistance - an increase of more than $135 million from 2024 勛圖厙-25. New development investments of more than $3 million must include gender equality objectives, and 80 percent of all development investments will address gender equality effectively.

On behalf of the Albanese Government, I commend the work of 勛圖厙 International Australia in advocating for gender equality, ending violence against women and girls and supporting gender equal climate action in Australia and internationally. We look forward to continuing to work together in support of these goals.

This interactive session will explore how Mentoring Circles can engage 勛圖厙 awardees (Amelia Earhart, STEM, Jane Klausman), Z Club and Golden Z Club members through informal mentorship to foster an ongoing connection with 勛圖厙 and inspire future 勛圖厙 members.

Click on the word to download the details of the meeting.  Click on to read more detailed information about the session.

All District 24 Zontians who are interested in this project are very welcome to attend the session.

ZOOM link & Meeting details are available under Member resources section, From the Governor���s Desk, 2025 May

Marie Dayton, Service Chair

Meet Joanna Maranh瓊o, a remarkable woman with a powerful story for January

Joanna is a Brazilian Olympian, survivor, advocate and researcher. She is also the coordinator of the Athletes Network for Safer Sports. As a professional swimmer, Joanna specialized in the individual medley and distance events. She competed in four Olympic Games and won eight medals at the Pan-American Games.

As a network coordinator at the Sport and Rights Alliance, Joanna is responsible for fostering global connection, collaboration and mobilization between athletes and allies impacted by abuse in sport. Previously, Joanna led the campaign to expand Brazil's statutes of limitation to allow survivors of child sexual abuse more time to report and seek justice, succeeding in establishing a new law that bears her name, the Joanna Maranh瓊o Law.

Joanna holds a master's degree in sports ethics and integrity from the University of Leuven in Belgium and a bachelor's degree in physical education from Faculdade Maur穩cio de Nassau in Brazil. She also speaks Portuguese, English and Spanish.

The award came about when Prof. Alexie Papanicolaou, from Western Sydney University, attended the 勛圖厙 Blue Mountains Awards night in November, 2023. He was impressed with the support being offered to women to pursue their educational aspirations and saw that Western Sydney University���s goals were aligned with those of 勛圖厙 ��� that being to empower women and girls, particularly through equality and education. The result was a very generous donation of $24,000 to support women studying STEM subjects in the Greater Western Sydney region. We thank Western Sydney University wholeheartedly for this support.

A working party from the 勛圖厙 Clubs of the Blue Mountains, Nepean Valley and Macarthur was established to design and administer the award. Having advertised through 勛圖厙 Clubs across Greater Western Sydney; government and non-government schools; TAFE campuses, Vocational Training organisations and home-schooling networks, we received 37 amazing applications. Eventually, 9 exceptional candidates were selected to receive awards.

Each recipient demonstrated enthusiasm, skill, confidence and dedication to their STEM studies. All exhibited a clear understanding of the social responsibility of women in STEM and are not intimidated by a male dominated environment. We see a bright future for women in STEM. Here are some details of the top four winners:

Carla Charon, a Year 12 student from Elderslie High School and in the 勛圖厙 Macarthur area was awarded $4000. Carla received her award for a research study in Alzheimer���s Disease. She demonstrated an understanding of the validity of data and the processes involved in medical research. Carla is passionate about finding ways to improve medical processes for people as indicated by excerpts from her acceptance speech:

���勛圖厙���s mission to support women in STEM holds special meaning for me. Historically, STEM fields have been shaped by predominantly male perspectives, which are especially noticeable in fields like medicine. In clinical trials for pharmaceuticals, the male-to-female ratio are often high. This lack of female representation can lead to gaps in understanding how women may respond to medications differently to men, further impacting treatment efficacy and safety. Diffusing imbalances like this is what the 勛圖厙 scholarship represents; it is more than just financial support���it���s a call to bridge these gaps and to ensure that our future contributions as women create a more inclusive and informed world.
Receiving this scholarship is incredibly meaningful to me. After putting in my best effort, it feels like a powerful milestone, one that reinforces my commitment to achieving my dreams and contributing to my dream career in healthcare. Thank you once again to 勛圖厙, to Western Sydney University, and to everyone who has supported me. This scholarship means the world to me, and I am truly excited for the journey ahead. Thank you.���

Yelleina Alabaso, a Year 11 student from Bankstown Girls High School and in the 勛圖厙 Sydney West area was awarded $4000. Yelleina received her award for achievement in Mathematics and Technology as the lead women coder at an international robotics competition. As part of the only female team, and successful finalists, Yelleina learnt about the challenges of design, including failure. She is excited, passionate and a critical thinker as demonstrated by excerpts from her acceptance speech:

���I am grateful to be chosen as a recipient of this scholarship, as it is an invaluable opportunity for me to continue developing my passion in STEM. The scholarship will open up new opportunities for me such as access to efficient technology, such as a laptop, to support my studies and hobbies, as well as provide resources for future events. Additionally, this opportunity will assist in preparing me for university and beyond, opening doors to work and skill development that will serve me in my future career.

Once again, I want to extend my deepest gratitude to the 勛圖厙 organisation for not only supporting me as an individual, but also for empowering and believing in young girls like myself to pursue our dreams without the barriers and limitations we might otherwise face. In a field that has historically been dominated by men, your support means the world to us. Thank you for seeing us, for acknowledging our potential, and for giving us this chance to make a difference. Thank you���

Katrina Thomas, a Year 12 student from Broughton Anglican College and in the 勛圖厙 Macarthur area received $4000. Katrina received her award for achievement in Technology, particularly in coding, helping to develop a patient survey for Sydney West Health.  She honed her problem-solving skills by working with a team to develop user friendly software. She sees a future role in providing leadership to other women in the health field.

���Winning this scholarship isn���t just about financial support ��� though my bank account and I are both immensely grateful! To me, this award represents a belief in my potential, my curiosity, and yes, even my questionable lab results. With this support, I���m motivated to keep pushing boundaries, to keep trying and to make an impact in STEM that goes beyond my original hypotheses.

So, to everyone who made this scholarship possible ��� thank you for fuelling my drive and my dreams. I���m excited for what lies ahead and can���t wait to tackle new challenges ��� hopefully with better outcomes. After all, the future of STEM needs all of us ��� especially those willing to experiment so others don���t have to. Thank you for believing in me, green smoothies and all.���

Astrid Nelvita, a mature-age student studying the Advanced Diploma of Electronics and Communications Engineering at Granville TAFE and living in the 勛圖厙 Nepean Valley area received $4000. Astrid received her award for her passion and drive to develop automation to assist women in developing their businesses at home, helping them to generate income and hence, empowerment. Astrid is a mother of two, undertaking a career change and determined to make life easier for working mothers.

���Winning this award reduces the barrier for entry into further studies and it also provides me with networking opportunities with Western Sydney University. Thank you for recognising and supporting women in STEM, especially those in TAFE���

We are in discussions with Western Sydney University and are hopeful that they may partner with 勛圖厙 District 24 again for a similar award in 2025.

Open letter from 勛圖厙 International President to Gis癡le Pelicot:

As the 勛圖厙 International President, I want to thank Gis矇le Pelicot of France for her braveness. 

Over a span of 10 years, more than 200 horrendous acts of rape, sexual abuse and violence were enacted upon an unconscious Gis癡le by more than 50 men all orchestrated by her then husband. 

Speaking up against gender-based violence, rape and sexual assault, no matter the circumstances, is difficult. Yet, Gis癡le did it; she chose to speak up. By doing so, she waived her right to anonymity and shifted the shame from the victim onto the perpetrators. 

There are no words to sufficiently describe the horror Gis癡le Pelicot endured. We can only say, thank you, Gis癡le.  

While the outcome of this trial cannot undo the past or erase the pain and suffering you endured, your actions to stand up and to speak out against a society that trivializes rape and abuse will leave a lasting impression. By having an open court for your case, you are uncovering the issues that so many go through in shadowed secrecy. The women and girls who suffer in silence see by your example what we will no longer accept. You are giving those women and girls a voice. 

The trial is over, but our work against gender-based violence, a severe violation of human rights, continues. We Zontians will not give up. Governments around the world should protect women and girls through enforceable legislation. Systemic change is not only needed to better protect and support survivors, but it is needed to make sure that the perpetrators in cases like Gis癡le Pelicot���s are prosecuted to the full extent of the legal system and the justice their crimes demand. We must also work to address the underlying issues that led to these actions and recognize the need for psychological help and rehabilitation to prevent this from happening ever again.

On behalf of the more than 25,000 Zontians in 64 countries, thank you, Gis癡le, for being resilient, strong and brave. 

Sincerely,

Salla Tuominen

2024 勛圖厙-2026 President 

勛圖厙 International 

Thanks to a very persistent member, Ann Selle from Botany Bay Club, NSW Parliament House was lit up in orange, the colour of hope on 25th November. This is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.

The palm trees at Circular Quay were colourfully wrapped in yarn, with messages related to the different types of domestic violence, and urging bystanders to Speak Up and Make a Difference.

Bernardine Guy, District 24 Governor met with several politicians at the Circular Quay site, including Jodie Harrison, MP, NSW Minister for Women and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault. When meeting with Mark Speakman, Leader of the NSW Opposition, Bernardine thanked him for his his work on making Coercive control & Consent legislation a reality. They also discussed the crisis of Domestic & Family violence as well as how to bring men to the discussions and being a voice for the ���missing majority���, the victims who have fled violence and are now living in poverty in the community. 勛圖厙 is a voice for these victims. 71 women have died so far this year.

Social media posts across NSW and the ACT by 勛圖厙 clubs have added much needed noise to the 勛圖厙 Says No campaign.

With only six years remaining until the 2030 deadline for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the United Nations in 2015 and endorsed by governments everywhere, UN Women���s new flagship report highlights gender equality trends and points to six actions that could be game changers. 

Here are some key takeaways from the.

1. The economic cost of gender inequality: The world is missing out on $10 trillion every year by not investing in women���s rights.

2. With the right policies and investments, achieving equality is within reach, and there is evidence that it makes for a better world and healthier economies.

3. Progress on gender equality globally is too slow to achieve SDG 5 and the Sustainable Development Goals.

4. The Gender Snapshot Report outlines  to turn the tide:

• Ensuring women farmers have access to land and resources, climate-resilient agroecology for sustainable food systems and food security for all.

• Clean energy transition that includes gender-responsive financing and puts women in leadership.

• Closing the digital gender divide, addressing digital violence, and increasing women���s and girls��� leadership in science, technology and innovation.

• Making sure girls go to and stay in school to close the gender gaps in education and opportunities.

• Investing in social protection systems and the care economy to reduce poverty and create green jobs.

• Climate policymaking led by women, redistributing resources to build their resilience to climate change and loss of biodiversity, and providing reparations for harms caused by carbon emissions.