Services Projects

Zontians are committed to service both in their local communities and at an international level.

International projects are carefully researched and costed by Zonta International before recommendations are put forward for consideration and adoption by delegates attending the biennial Zonta International Convention.

Individual Clubs determine their local service projects in line with Zonta’s objects and depending on the needs of their local areas. Service projects may be the local funding of some activity or a “hands on” service project. Our projects include:

Birthing Kits

Annually, Zonta International distributes simple birthing kits to more than 30 third world countries. These kits include essential equipment to enable a clean birth and reduce the incidence of neo natal tetanus. Our club assembles over 1000 kits each year.

Worldwide, an estimated 385,000 women die annually in childbirth, most of them in developing countries, and many from infections acquired during the birth.

A birthing kit is a pack of six simple items which enable women to give birth at home in a clean environment, thereby decreasing the risk of death from infection and bleeding. The six items are: a sheet of plastic to provide a clean birth site, a cake of soap and a pair of rubber gloves so that the birthing attendant has clean hands, and basic surgical items – a scalpel blade, gauze pads and clips or ties for the umbilical cord.

The first birthing kits were assembled in 1999 by the Zonta club of the Adelaide Hills Area after one of its members, Dr Joy O’Hazy, attended the 4th World Conference for Women in 1995 in Beijing, where she heard actress Sally Field speak about how these small kits that cost less than a dollar could save a life. Today, birthing kits and education in clean birthing practices are provided by the Birthing Kit Foundation, a not-for-profit non-government organisation (NGO) based in Adelaide. Zonta clubs throughout Australia still support the project by organizing assembly days. By August 2012, one million birthing kits had been assembled and distributed.

The Foundation works with carefully screened partner organisations to distribute the kits and ensure that health professionals provide instruction in how to use them correctly.

Read more on Birthing Kits Foundation

Working with the Mapleton Craft Group, we supply breast care cushions to local hospitals.

Breast care cushions are designed to provide support and protection from rubbing and accidental knocks for women who have had breast surgery. The cushions are made from a soft material, usually cotton or satin, wrapped prettily and provided, free of charge, to women while they are in hospital following surgery. They can be worn under normal clothing but are also attractive enough to be worn over clothing.

The first cushions were designed and made in 1994 by Ann Selle, a member of the Zonta Club of Botany Bay in NSW. While continuing to make cushions for women in their local area, the Club encouraged other Zonta Clubs to do the same. This resulted in a motion at the District 24 Conference in Tamworth in 2001, that the making and distribution of breast cushions become a District Endorsed Service Project. Clubs throughout New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory and Queensland then became involved in the project, with Queensland Clubs continuing their involvement after becoming a separate District (District 22) in 2008. District 23, which covers the remainder of Australia, also adopted the project, making breast care cushions the first national Zonta project in Australia.

More than 5,500 cushions are now supplied each year by Zontians in Queensland and northern NSW with Zontians enjoying fellowship whilst making and wrapping the cushions. A number of Clubs have also enlisted the assistance of other groups in the community. Clubs either purchase the necessary materials or apply for grants from Councils and community benefit funds.

EMPOWERING

WOMEN

THROUGH

SERVICE

AND ADVOCACY