The Zonta Club of Ilocos Norte, Philippines, wrapped up its Zonta Says NO to Violence against Women campaign with a forum on the “psychological effects of violence to women” on 10 December, Human Rights Day. The club hosted multiple events throughout the 16 Days of Activism, including a forum for male advocates against gender-based violence, a mass  in Laoag City, a media forum, a walk and Zumba.

From the Philippine Information Agency:

The local chapter of an international cause–oriented group advocating the rights of women and children has ended its 16-day campaign to curb violence against women and children today, the International Human Rights Day.

Rizalina T. Chua, the president of the Zonta Club of Ilocos Norte – a local group of the Zonta Club International, said Wednesday that their series of activities were set from November 25 to December 10 to empower women through service and advocacy.

“Our 16- day campaign is an opportunity to show our part for the international solidarity in the fight to end violence against women. We are guided with this year’s group theme: “Make education safe for all,” Chua said.

“From November 25 (the international day for the elimination of violence against women) to December 10 (the human rights day), the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence campaign is a time to galvanize action to end violence against women and children (girls) not only in Ilocos Norte but also around the world,” she added.

She said the campaign is focused on strengthening the awareness of women on various forms of abuses against them, teach women to become self- reliant and to help reduce or eliminate teenage pregnancies and early marriages.

The 50- member of Zonta Club of Ilocos Norte has offered different free services for women in the province such as skills training, college scholarship program, free legal counselling and services and free medical and dental services.

The group ended the campaign on Thursday with a forum on “psychological effects of violence to women.”

Chua said the forum, attended by 30 women who have been victims of domestic violence, discussed the psychological effects of violence.

The group also conducted a forum for 100 male advocates against violence with film viewing at the ABC Hall of Laoag City to further promote safe communities for women.

Earlier, Chua said that their association conducted a forum on “No to Teenage Pregnancies and Early Marriages” at the conference hall of the Ilocos Norte College of Arts and Trades (INCAT) with hundreds teenagers – participants.

Chua said that their 16–day activism campaign to “end violence against women” was also highlighted with the following activities such as offering of a mass at the Mount Carmel Chapel in Laoag City; media forum through the PIA- KBP Ilocandia Forum: walk around Laoag City proper cum Zumba at Aurora Park and gift giving to identified indigent families in Paoay, Ilocos Norte.

She noted that the 16 – day of activism against violence to women and children was an international campaign originated from the first Women’s Global Leadership Institute coordinated by the Center for Women’s Global Leadership in 1991.