The Zonta Club of Northern Beaches Inc., Sydney, New South Wales, participated in several activities during this year’s 16 Days of Activism to support the Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women campaign.

Members co-hosted a “Women Empowerment Breakfast” with the Z Club of Mackellar. Lorna Scott, Advocacy Chair, gave a presentation and the guest speaker was Christine Hopton, President of Avalon Surf Club and Director of Surf Life Saving Australia. The local high school principal was in attendance and he asked to borrow the Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women banner so he could host an all-school assembly about ending gender-based violence in schools. He reminded students of the school services available to them. There was also a shoe display throughout the school to represent the struggles each person faces. Each shoe had a quote attached to it. For example, “When will it stop?”, “I have two children” and “Why can’t anyone see what is happening?”

In addition, members of the club hosted another assembly at a local high school to present on the Zonta Says NO to Violence Against women campaign. Visitors from four local boys schools were in attendance and the teachers from the schools requested the material so they could spread the word and engage even more boys. Following the presentation students assembled on the hockey field to form the word NO. The local newspaper ran a photo and an article of the school assembly.

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