In the news: Zonta campaigns to light the sky orange

BREVARD COUNTY — If you see a business or home with orange lights out front, it’s not because they’re feeling festive this fall.
The Zonta Club of Melbourne has put out a call for action to light the sky orange as part of its “Say NO to Violence Against Women” campaign from Nov. 25 to Dec. 10.

The public is invited to support the nonprofit’s luminaria fundraiser and join the Zonta Club on Dec. 8 at 7:30 p.m. to “Light up the Sky.”

For $10, donors will receive a kit with six luminaries to line up their driveway or entrance.

Residents are encouraged to replace the lights outside their homes with orange bulbs throughout the 16 Days of Activism campaign. Orange light bulbs can be purchased from Home Depot.

A growing list of businesses continues to join in the campaign each year, too. Interested owners can contact zontaclub.melbourne.fl@gmail.com and the Zonta Club can deliver bulbs to its door.

“My hope is not only to talk about and educate the public about violence done to women but to talk about and do something about the people who do the violence,” said Doris Larson, Zonta Club of Melbourne member. “Quit looking at women as victims and let’s look at the perpetrators and see what we can do to fix that.”

The Zonta Club of Melbourne is part of a larger organization, Zonta International, which stands for women’s rights.

Violence against women has many facets: human trafficking, domestic violence, women living in conflict areas, and early marriage.
According to the Zonta Club of Melbourne’s website, three women die daily as a result of domestic violence and 75% are killed when trying to leave or end the relationship.

The 16 Days of Activism campaign is a worldwide effort, and even tourist areas such as the Eiffel Tower and Niagara Falls have been lit up in orange in the past.

So why choose this specific time of year to promote 16 Days of Activism?

November 25 is recognized as International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, and December 10 is recognized as Human Rights Day.

“We’ve had several successes in laws being passed with regard to making it easier for women to get out of abusive relationships,” Larson said. “We’ve educated all the police departments to be aware of domestic violence, and especially strangulation.”

In addition to these victories, Larson said it’s now possible that if a strangulation can be documented, the woman doesn’t have to testify against her abuser.

The Zonta Club of Melbourne supports domestic violence shelters and has been involved with programs that help women leave their abuser.

The 16 Days of Activism campaign is just one of many year-round efforts in which the Zonta Club of Melbourne aims to educate the public.

Proceeds raised by the luminaries supports domestic violence shelters, Zonta Club scholarships, and its many projects that promote the end to violence against women.

For more information about how to get involved or to keep an eye on further campaigns, visit www.zontaspacecoast.org.