OUR CAUSES

Violence Against Women

Domestic Violence is a pattern of one person trying to dominate or control another person. This involves different types of abusive behaviors.

Physical Abuse: pushing, kicking, strangling or any other physical violence.
Sexual Abuse: forceful sex, sexual assaults, sexual threats and many others.
Emotional Abuse: threats, manipulation, lies, stalking, name calling, etc.
Economic Abuse: denying access to bank accounts and other financial platforms.

• Domestic Violence is an underrated crime as it mostly happens behind closed doors.
• On average, every 2 in 3 females and every 1 in 5 males experience physical assault by their partners.
• In the United States as many as 24 people a minute become victims of stalking, physical attack or rape.

We continue to provide training sessions that provide the most updated information on modern day slavery. The sessions include awareness training to identify the signs of human and labor trafficking and how to appropriately report victims of human trafficking. We provide training for healthcare providers, hospitality industry, church groups, schools and local businesses. We continue to directly partner with our local law enforcement.

Human Trafficking

• Human Trafficking is modern day slavery which includes both commercial sex and labor trafficking.
• Florida ranks 3rd in the United States, in human trafficking cases reported behind only California and Texas.
• Human trafficking in the 2nd largest criminal activity behind drugs, which is a $150 billion a year industry. $99 billion is from sexual exploitation.
• In Florida, most victims are in the hospitality tourism industry, agriculture or are young girls involved in the sex trade.
• Between 100,000-300,000 teens are sold for sex each year in the United States.
• Human trafficking is defined under Florida law, as the recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision or obtaining of a person for labor or services, through the use of force, fraud or coercion.

Recognize the Combined Signs of Human Trafficking

Physical

• Branding-scars, burns or tattoos
• Lacks healthcare / malnourished
• Serious dental issues
• Disoriented or confused
• Avoids eye contact

Verbal

• Responds as if coached
• Allows someone else to talk
• Reluctant to discuss their injuries
• Fearful, anxious or paranoid
• Brags about having money

Ending Child Marriage

Child marriage is any formal or informal union where one or both of the parties are under 18 years old, according to Girls Not Brides. Early and forced marriage happens across countries, cultures and religions. Each year, 12 million girls are married before they turn 18.

It is estimated that 650 million women alive today were married as girls. Child brides are often pulled out of school and are at a greater risk of violence, being trapped in poverty and serious health complications or even death due to early pregnancy.

• Globally, one is five girls were married before age 18.
• About 250 million women were married before age 15.
• Girls with no education are three times as likely to marry by 18 as those with a secondary or higher education.
• 90% of adolescent pregnancies in the developing world are to girls who are already married.
• Girls between the ages of 15 and 19 are twice as likely to die in childbirth as women in their 20s. Newborn children of younger mothers face greater risks of dying.
• Early marriage doubles a teenager’s chances of living in poverty and triples the likelihood she will be beaten by her spouse, compared to married adults.

Education

Education is a human right. It has the power to save and improve the lives of women and girls, which leads to healthier families and stronger communities. Receiving an education makes girls less likely to marry young and more likely to lead healthy, productive lives. Educated girls earn higher incomes, participate in decisions affecting and building better futures for themselves and their families. Investing in the education of women and girls yields high returns, such as breaking cycles of poverty, fostering economic growth and empowering women both in the home and workplace.

Zonta Says NO Campaign

16 Days of Activism
November 25 – December 10

Violence against women and girls is one of the most pervasive human rights violations and a global pandemic. It knows no national or cultural barriers; it takes place at home, in the workplace and in open spaces, and affects millions of women and girls in peacetime and conflict. It includes psychological, physical and sexual violence, and harmful practices such as rape, female genital cutting, child marriage and human trafficking.

Violence against women and girls threatens countries, inhibits economic progress, and prevents women from contributing to their community and creating better lives for themselves and their families.

During the 16 Days of Activism, November 25 – December 10, all Zonta clubs and districts are encouraged to take part in the Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women campaign and to take local, national and international actions to influence the making and implementation of laws, as well as changing gender-based attitudes and behaviors to end violence against women and girls.

Days of Activism

25 November
International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women

1 December
World AIDS Day

10 December
Human Rights Day

The Zonta Club of Melbourne continues to raise awareness by partnering to bring awareness to local businesses and chambers by lighting up orange during November 25 – December 10.

2023 Yellow Rose Award Winner

Congratulations to Diana Adams on winning the 2023 Zonta Yellow Rose Award Excellence in Community Service at the recently concluded Women Who Rock @weventurefl

Diana serves as Executive Director of Brevard Heart Foundation addressing local healthcare needs in Brevard, as well as owning a small business @rockpapersimple with her husband.

Prior to her nonprofit work, Diana was a teacher for seven years where she was recognized as the Elementary Social Studies Teacher of the Year for the State of Florida. She is earning her Doctorate in Public Administration and serves on West Melbourne City Council.

Her work has impacted homeless families. children. people with disabilities and medical underserved populations as she works to address system issues through community-based solutions.

Her dedication to the Space Coast League of Cities and the Florida League of Cities allows her to impact communities across the state. She is a member of the Transportation and Intergovernmental Committees’ delegations.

Some of Diana’s awards and honors include Freedom 7 Teacher of the Year: High Impact Award from Florida Department of Education; Florida’s Best and Brightest Education Award; Craig Miller Leadership Excellence and Service Award; 4-H Youth Leadership Mentor and Citizenship Awards: Girl Scouts Leadership Award: Senator Rhoades’ Citizenship Award and National 4-H congress Delegate.

Keeping our Waterways Clean

Zonta Club of Melbourne for many years has partnered with the FDOT cleaning up the Melbourne Causeway of trash. Living on these beautiful waterways we want to protect our rivers and oceans. Zonta members continue quarterly to achieve a greener and cleaner environment.