For the last few years, Zonta clubs in Denmark have developed a free platform, https://goalfive.org, with teaching modules available for all secondary school teachers. In 2023, the platform grew with more training modules. As a culmination of the work, the clubs arrange several day events on 22 November in connection with the 16 Days of Activism.

The participants were teachers and students of all genders from nine high schools: Aalborg Cathedral School, Risskov High School, Viborg Cathedral School, Aarhus High School, Tilst -EUX, Haderslev Cathedral School, Aabenraa State School, The Blue Highschool and Stenhus Highschool. The events were held in four cities: Aalborg Aarhus, Aabenraa and Holbæk. The Zonta clubs organizing the events were Aarhus I, Aarhus II, Aalborg, Aabenraa, Holbæk  and the new coming Golden Z Aarhus.

The clubs then hosted a whole-day “Barriers to Gender Equality?” event in high schools. The event was a study day focusing on equality issues with six overall themes: gender, working life, teaching, education, sexual consent, and boundaries and equality in the home. The clubs spent a day engaging with students and teachers about their thoughts, discussions and input on all gender equality issues.

Before the events, the clubs created a film with participation from the minister for digitalization and gender equality, influencers and representatives from women’s and men’s organizations: https://youtu.be/70U-_lv6lrI.

The events were very impactful as students, the new generation, took ownership of the process, participated actively in the debates and working groups and prepared visual material with their viewpoints about how a future based on gender equality should be. And all genders contributed to the successful outcome.

The link to Zonta’s mission and vision was evident throughout the event, as all contributed very actively to define what is needed to “build a better world for women and girls.” Advocacy has a growing focus for clubs in Denmark, and although the events took place in only four cities, they plan to repeat the event in many more cities in the future.

The events have made Zonta’s work better known in Denmark and increased the recognition of Zonta as a critical player working on gender equality and a life free of violence for all women and girls. The minister’s contribution, among others, is proof of this in the video created.

The products generated by the students have been displayed not only in the high schools but also at the local libraries. Therefore, the clubs are convinced that the events held will significantly impact the local communities as the students themselves define the path forward.