The Zonta Club of Bielefeld, Germany, stuck 1-meter floor stickers and 60-cm window stickers throughout our city and across the country. They cooperated with restaurants, shops, local institutions and corporations to advocate for the elimination of violence.
The club’s public displays gained radio and television coverage.
The Zonta Club of Isabela, Philippines, is committed to the 16 Days of Activism. While heavy rains delayed the installation of their Zonta Says NO banner from Day 1, their resolve never wavered. Today, the club is proud to flood the Province of Isabela with a visible message.
the club stand in resolute solidarity with Zonta International and government partners in the inspiring call to #OrangeTheWorld. Orange is the color of optimism—the bright, unwavering symbol of a future entirely free from the shadow of violence against women and girls.
This is more than a launch; it is a public commitment.
A Dual Front of Advocacy: Ilagan and Naguilian
The club is now reaching residents on two strategic fronts, making the campaign impossible to miss:
This is the club’s monumental declaration and rallying cry against violence.
The message is clear to every resident and traveler of the Province of Isabela: “VIOLENCE HAS NO PLACE HERE. Not in our homes. Not in our streets. Not in our province.”
The club urges every resident and traveler of the Province of Isabela: Stop. Look. Let the gravity of this message resonate every time you pass by. Let it be a reminder that silence perpetuates abuse.
JOIN THE MOVEMENT: You Are Our Ally
Violence against women and girls is a fundamental human rights violation that cripples communities and diminishes us all. While Zontians lead, every single person is needed to win this fight!
The Zonta Club of Hiidenvesi, Finland, carried out its Zonta Says NO campaign across multiple channels to raise awareness of dating violence and support safer relationships for young people.
The club held two library exhibitions that shared information about dating violence and Zonta activities and displayed related literature.
A creative highlight of the campaign was the Orange Zonta Stones initiative, where numbered orange stones were hidden around the community and used as raffle entries—an engaging way to spark curiosity and encourage participation. The campaign received strong visibility on local online platforms through regular updates and winner announcements.
On social media, the club shared practical guidance on how to recognize dating violence and how to support victims of intimate partner violence. The message also reached print media readers through an article published in a local newspaper.
Their goal was to show how common violence can be even in young people’s first relationships. The club especially wanted to encourage friends, parents, and all adults to recognize the warning signs, step in when needed, and stand alongside young people as sources of support. This is a perfect time to intervene and change the course of action for future generations.
This year in Switzerland, the 16 Days of Activism is focused on raising awareness about the violence experienced by women with disabilities.
Zonta Club of Liestal, Switzerland, members set up an orange information tent to engage the public and inform the community on the spiral of violence.
Members of the Z and Youth Club of the Zonta Clubs of Dhaka I, II, III, and IV, presented a dance drama in support of the 16 Days of Activism Against Violence Against Women. Inspired by Malala Yousafzai’s empowering words, “One child, one teacher, one book, and one pen can change the world,” the performance underscored the transformative role of education for girls. The club hopes the message and performance remind viewers that education is key to unlocking possibilities and stopping violence against women.
On 25 November, members of Zonta District 24 joined the “No More Empty Shoes” Vigil in Sydney, standing in solidarity with survivors, advocates and the families of women and children lost to domestic and family violence. In partnership with more than 30 frontline and community organisations, around 30 Zontians paid tribute to the 74 women and children who have been killed in Australia in 2025—each pair of empty shoes symbolising a life taken far too soon.
The keynote speaker, Tabitha Acret, mother of Mackenzie Anderson and representative of They Are Our Daughters, delivered a powerful and heartfelt address. She spoke of the profound loss of her daughter, whose own child was just one year old when her mother’s life was taken. Tabitha is now a courageous advocate for those left behind, calling for stronger domestic violence sentencing laws and systemic change to prevent further tragedy.
Zonta District 24 remains committed to raising awareness, supporting survivors and advocating for meaningful action to end violence against women and children.
Throughout Days 7 to 10 of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, the Zonta Club of Isabela, Philippines, carried out a series of legal, educational and international advocacy initiatives, strengthening its mission to protect women and children from violence in both physical and digital spaces.
Day 7: Digital Safety and Cybercrime Awareness in Mallig
On 1 December, the club held a legal symposium in Mallig focused on the growing threat of online violence against women and children. Zontian and legal expert Attorney Cheryl Canapi-Malana led an in-depth lecture on cybercrime laws, including online harassment and libel, digital sexual violence and safe internet practices for minors.
The program highlighted how existing laws can be used to prosecute perpetrators of digital abuse. Club members thanked Mayor Jose Philip “JP” Calderon and local officials for their support, noting that community legal knowledge is a crucial defense against gender-based violence.
Day 8: Global Advocacy Through the ARTA Caravan in Tokyo
On 2 December, the club extended its #ZontaSaysNO campaign internationally as Zontians Attorney Jenny Flor Manantan-Cabaddu, Attorney Karla Louise Agbayani and Attorney Analou Villeza, also members of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines Isabela Chapter, provided free legal services at the Philippine ARTA Caravan in Yoyogi Park, Tokyo.
The ARTA Caravan brings government services to Filipinos abroad, reinforcing the connection between gender-based violence and bureaucratic barriers that can hinder survivors seeking justice. The club emphasized that both GBV and red tape are global issues requiring an efficient institutional response to ensure women can access timely support.
Day 9: Envisioning a Violence-Free Future in Roxas, Isabela
The Zonta Club of Isabela dedicated 3 December to envisioning long-term strategies for a VAW-free community. Vice Mayor Lourdes Panganiban of Angadanan delivered a lecture titled “Beyond the Horizon (Ending Violence Against Women)” to personnel of the LGU of Roxas.
The discussion covered survivor-centered recovery, community-wide prevention planning, sustainable livelihood support for women and the importance of listening to survivors as a foundation for effective governance. The club praised LGU Roxas for its commitment to future-focused anti-violence strategies as part of its ongoing 18-day VAW campaign.
Day 10: Listening to Youth Needs at Alicia Vocational School
On 4 December, the club held a comprehensive legal and health symposium at Alicia Vocational School, focusing on the protection of youth.
The Municipal Health Office addressed teenage pregnancy; Zonta Club of Isabela Vice President Judge Ramorelia Lodriguito-Caranay covered laws on online sexual exploitation (RA 11930) and safe spaces (RA 11313); and Retired Judge Lornabeth Ucol discussed privacy protection under RA 9995.
The club recognized the Municipality of Alicia for its strong cooperation and thanked Zontian Aida Pallagud Alejandro, wife of Mayor Joel Amos, for serving as host and partner in ensuring youth safety and empowerment.
Katia Graziosi is the daughter of Anna Zucchini, one of the women arrested on 8 March 1955, for distributing mimosa flowers on International Women’s Day. At the time, Katia was 8 years old, and her memories of her mother’s imprisonment are still vivid in her memory.
The Zonta Club of Bologna Due Torri, Italy, collaborated with Katia to tell her story and fight against violence.
In 2025, “MIMOSE,” Anna Zucchini’s prison memoirs, was published.
Katia also contributed to “Fuori dall’Ombra” (Out of the Shadow), a symbolic book of UDI (Italian Women’s Union). The book was written to recount the experience of the women’s workshops organized by UDI volunteers inside the Dozza women’s prison in Bologna. Katia organizes and coordinates numerous anti-violence support centers in Bologna and the surrounding province, helping women who have lost everything, including with reintegration into the workforce.
*This article was translated into English using Google Translate.”
Every year, the Zonta Club of Port Macquarie Inc, Australia, sponsors the Nautilus College Student of the Year shield. This year, the club called on men and boys to speak up, take responsibility and stand as allies in the fight against gender-based violence.
The Zonta club highlighted the shared values between the club and Nautilus College, including community, friendship, equality, inclusion, respect and integrity.
The Zonta Club of Aparri, Philippines, proudly joined the global call to end violence as they partnered with the LGU Aparri for a Pledge of Commitment to say NO to Violence Against Women and Children.
Together with the local officials headed by the Hon. Mayor Dominador Ambo Dayag and advocates, the club launched their signature campaign: a united stand to protect women and children, amplify awareness, and strengthen their community commitment to creating a safer Aparri for all.
Alongside the Zonta club’s collaboration with the LGU, the club also visited the Bulwagan ng Katarungan, where prosecutors, lawyers, and judges signed the pledge, strengthening their collective resolve to protect women and children.
The Signing of the Pledge is a firm declaration that the LGU Aparri and the Zonta Club of Aparri stand together and are united in promoting respect, equity, and protection for every woman and child. The club extends its thanks to the LGU Aparri for embracing this advocacy with sincerity and commitment.
Zonta conducts a t-shirt printing contest with St. Paul School of Aparri
On Day 10 of the Zonta Club of Aparri’s 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, the club conducted a T-Shirt Printing Contest with the Grade 4, Grade 5 and Grade 6 pupils of St. Paul School of Aparri.
This initiative is part of the club’s efforts to deepen awareness among young learners on the importance of respect, safety, and the protection of women and children. Through their creativity and self-expression, the pupils were able to demonstrate their understanding of the message: “Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women and Children.”
Each participant was provided with a white T-shirt and textile paints, allowing them to freely create designs that reflect what they believe is the call to end gender-based violence. The activity served as a meaningful avenue for children to learn that their voices are powerful and art can contribute to building a safer and more compassionate community. Five winners were chosen among 26 participants.
The club extends its gratitude to the school administration, teachers, and pupils for their cooperation and enthusiasm.
Join us in saying NO 