Service project is led by Zonta Club of Midland, Nov. 25 – Dec. 10

Midland storefronts will soon display “orange lady dolls” as part of the Zonta Club of Midland’s campaign to end gender-based violence.

According to the club, these orange dolls, named Julie, exist to raise awareness for Zonta International’s service project, Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women. The service project was adopted from the United Nation’s 16 Days of Activism campaign to unite towards a common cause of ending gender-based violence.

Zonta Club states that Julie was a 23-year-old female who was riding her bike to a friend’s house in Belgium when she was attacked. She attempted to fight off her offender, but her tiny frame was no match for her attacker. Her attacker slipped through the cracks of the justice system.

Through her death, Julie’s family is making changes in Belgium’s judicial system in her memory, so this does not happen to other women. Julie’s aunt happens to be a member of the Zonta Club of Midland and advocates for women to protect themselves and men to stand up and pledge to say no to violence against women.

One of Zonta’s missions is that no woman shall live in fear of violence. According to a recent release from the club, one in three women will experience gender-based violence in their lifetime.

During the 16 Days of Activism, which runs Nov. 25 through Dec. 10, organizations and Zonta Clubs throughout the world raise awareness about this issue and challenge people to stand up to saying “no” to violence against women.

“Orange is the color of the campaign, and the dolls represent the women in our community that have fallen victim to violence,” Zonta Club of Midland stated. “You can help us take a stand and say no to violence against women by taking a selfie with the dolls, posting on Facebook your selfie and how you will stand up to violence against women, and tag Zonta Club of Midland.”

For more information about Zonta Club, visit ZontaClubOfMidland.org.

https://www.ourmidland.com/news/article/zonta-club-unveils-orange-lady-dolls-combat-19936659.php