On 7 December, the Zonta Club of Lome joined with the Zonta Club of Lome Millenium, Togo, to say no to violence against women and girls at the College St Pierre et Paul  in Aneho, a small town located 48 kilometers southeast of the capital city Lome.

Six days before the event, the clubs hung a Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women banner at the school entrance. Students also received orange “STOP violence against women” t-shirts during the event.

Well-known guest speakers, including a gynecologist, psychologist and legal expert, informed the students of their rights and asked them to voice any different kinds of violence (e.g. sexual or physical violence, early pregnancy, genital mutilation) and the consequences on their health, such as obstetric fistula.

Students and teachers alike were receptive and asked relevant questions. After three hours of debate, they were motivated to help eliminate violence in their community.

The event was covered by national media on television and in local papers.