The Zonta Club of Ashtabula Area kicked off the 16 Days of Activism on Nov. 25 at the historic lift bridge in the Ashtabula Harbor.

The Lift Bridge Community Association (LBCA) supported this international and local organization event by lighting the lift bridge with orange lights – the color that symbolizes the Zonta International campaign of “Zonta Says NO to Violence against Women,” said Linda Coblitz of Ashtabula, a Zonta member, in a prepared statement.

“This campaign, which began nine years ago, unites Zonta clubs and members around the world as they raise their voices to bring awareness to this issue and advocate on behalf of gender-based violence survivors and victims,” she said.

As the world faces the COVID-19 pandemic, instances of violence against women and young girls are on the rise.

“Now, more than ever, it is essential that we work together, with our communities, partners, and future generations, to end gender-based violence,” Coblitz said.

Zonta International partners with the United Nations in their UNITE campaign, also working to stop gender-based violence.

Annually and internationally, the following dates are part of Zonta’s 16 days of Activism: Nov. 25, International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women; Nov. 29, International Women’s Human Rights Defenders; Dec. 1 World AIDS Day and Dec. 10, the end of the 16 Days of Activism, Human Rights Day.

https://www.starbeacon.com/news/local_news/zonta-club-of-ashtabula-kicks-off-16-days-of-activism/article_a89784bc-ea41-5585-a1b0-c259202e8721.html