The Zonta Club of Cebu 1 recognized the 16 Days of Activism and Zonta’s dedication to ending child marriage with a series of awareness programs.

On 8 November, Zontians held a commemoration event recognizing Zonta’s Centennial, as well as the 50th anniversary of the Zonta Club of Cebu I. This event included an “opening salvo” held at the Ayala Mall to an audience of about 1,000 people, including community leaders.

Also on 8 November, a research-interactive forum discussed the roots of child marriage.

A play was also presented that focused on how early pregnancy can lead to child marriage. This was attended by about 500 people.

On 29 November, about 200 Zontians and guests celebrated its golden year, featuring the Hall of Fame of Past Presidents from 1981 to 2018 and their projects that empowered women to spearhead prevention of violence against women. There were also poster exhibits focused on ending child marriage.

The largest assemblage was of 5,000 students, teachers and Zontians on 10 December at the University of San Jose Recoletos Coliseum. This was during the event “Shout Out NO to Child Marriage.” The event was covered by a regional tv network, as well as print media.

Members of the club say this series of integrated programs on child marriage had an impact on the community, which resulted in the formation of a new Z Club, comics serials, oratorical contests and an international forum on women’s transformative leadership.