On 14 May, the Zonta Club of Bangkok IX, Thailand, Club President Dr. Sunjutha Witchawut and Z Club Chair Z. Navaporn Sodsri visited the Z Club of Triam Udom Suksa Pattanakarn Nonthaburi School to celebrate the induction of its new student leadership team.
During the visit, the club presented the official Z club flag and special sashes to the newly appointed youth ambassadors and board members, who assumed their roles following the graduation of the previous team.
Dr. Witchawut offered her congratulations and encouragement, urging the students to use their talents wisely and to contribute meaningfully to Zonta’s mission. She emphasized the importance of raising awareness about gender-based violence and empowering women and girls through advocacy and service.
Over the past six months, the Zonta Club of Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand, has led the development and installation of Wharepaku (Māori for “bathroom”) signage across district public restrooms, with plans to expand into schools, hospitals, hospitality venues and retail spaces.
The signage provides discreet and accessible information on local support services for women experiencing violence. Inspired by similar initiatives from other District 16 clubs, the Hawke’s Bay project added a unique regional touch to address local needs.
The response has been overwhelmingly positive, with the signage helping to raise both community awareness of gender-based violence and the visibility of the Zonta Club.
On the morning of 27 March, the Zonta Club of Pampanga, Philippines, in partnership with Sindalan High School in the City of San Fernando, Pampanga, hosted an educational forum focused on the Violence Against Women and Their Children (VAWC) Law and gender equality. Held at the school’s covered court, the event brought together students and educators for a morning of awareness and empowerment.
Club President Gina Rosario Millan opened the program with an introduction to Zonta International’s mission and vision, highlighting the importance of ending violence against women and girls and promoting youth involvement in gender advocacy. She was assisted by her daughter, Thea Marielle Millan, who also served as the event’s official photographer.
The keynote speaker, Attorney Jeriko Rivera Bais, delivered a compelling and informative presentation on the VAWC Law and Gender Equality Law, using real-life examples to engage and educate the audience. His talk sparked a lively and thoughtful open forum with participating students from Grades 7, 10 and 11.
The club praised the students’ active participation and thoughtful questions, calling the event a successful and inspiring step toward fostering a more informed and empowered generation.
On 10 May 2025, Zonta Club of Dhaka IV, Bangladesh, organized a compelling advocacy session at Kamal Ahmed Mojumder School in Mirpur to raise awareness about the dangers of child marriage.
Zontian Dr. Rumpa Kairy led the session, addressing the legal, social and health consequences of child marriage. She highlighted how this harmful practice severely disrupts a girl’s education, health and overall development. The session aimed to educate and empower students with the knowledge needed to understand why child marriage is a grave social injustice and a violation of human rights and the law.
As a powerful conclusion to the event, Club President Zontian Naheed Shaheen led a pledge ceremony in which all students vowed to stand against child marriage. This collective pledge reflected the community’s strong commitment to protecting girls’ rights and ensuring they can grow up in a safe, supportive, and empowering environment.
On 7 December, the Zonta Club of Pampanga, Philippines, in partnership with Nanay Partylist, conducted a meaningful outreach event at Ayala Orchard for Aeta women and children as part of Zonta International’s 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.
The program began with the Zonta Prayer and Hymn led by Club President Gina Rosario Millan, who introduced the club’s mission and officers, emphasizing Zonta’s commitment to empowering women and girls. She also encouraged children to remember and share Zonta’s mission, rewarding their engagement with small gifts.
A highlight of the event was an educational session on hygiene led by Attorney Angeli Andan, who demonstrated proper brushing and bathing techniques, stressing the importance of daily self-care. Hygiene kits were then distributed to all participants, followed by warm bowls of lugaw and freshly baked bread.
The event was attended by club members including Vice President Lea Bais, Past Presidents Gilda Padua and Analiza Agbanglo and Dra. Elizabeth Canlas, Ethel Ocampo, Chartered President Elvira Sumadchat and Attorney Angeli Andan, along with Area Director Rowena Plan and Area Secretary Dolores de Quiros-Castillo, who traveled from Manila to show their support.
The Zonta Club of Hualien II, Taiwan, successfully hosted Hualien’s first women’s charity golf tournament, “Blooming Bright, Shining Zonta,” in support of the Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women campaign.
Held at the Hualien Golf Club, the event welcomed more than 60 female golfers, using golf as a powerful platform to promote unity, dignity and human rights for women. The tournament aimed to raise awareness of gender-based violence while amplifying the mission of Zonta International within the local community.
Thanks to the generosity of the Hualien Golf Club, the tournament raised US$1,935 in proceeds, which were donated in full to the Zonta Girl Scholarship – Shining Stars Program. The initiative, led by the Zonta club, supports underprivileged girls in rural areas by providing access to education and helping them realize their potential.
An on-site charity booth also raised an additional US$2,200 in donations, further strengthening the impact of the scholarship program and demonstrating strong community support for the cause.
The day concluded with an awards ceremony marked by celebration and camaraderie. Wang Xiuxia earned the Overall Gross Champion title with a score of 77, adding to the event’s uplifting atmosphere.
The Zonta Club of Laguna, Philippines, in collaboration with the Office of Hon. Ann Matibag and MOB Foundation Inc., launched a series of targeted community outreach efforts focusing on healthcare, women’s legal rights and youth protection.
In Antipolo, the “Voice of the Free” initiative provided a holistic approach to women’s health. The program combined health education lectures on hygiene and wellness with comprehensive medical checkups, external genital examinations, and HPV vaccinations. The initiative aimed to strengthen community health and reduce the long-term risks associated with preventable diseases with follow-up vaccinations and ongoing health monitoring. Medical professionals Dr. M. Borabien, Dr. C. Gacoba, and J. Acierto, RN, led the operations alongside dedicated volunteers.
Parallel to this health-focused work, the club organized multiple legal literacy initiatives centered on the Violence Against Women and Children (VAWC) Act, or Republic Act 9262. In San Pedro City, a community lecture educated residents on the legal definitions of abuse, the processes for reporting incidents, available protection orders and the roles of government agencies. Speakers translated complex legal concepts into practical, actionable information to empower attendees.
As part of the 16 Days of Activism campaign, the club also launched a robust social media awareness series that simplified legal information on VAWC and shared step-by-step guides, infographics and helpline resources. The campaign tackled frequently asked questions and illustrated real-life scenarios to make the law relatable and understandable. A second phase of the campaign expanded the content with shareable resources in local languages, helping amplify reach and comprehension.
Youth engagement played a critical role in the Zonta club’s outreach efforts. At San Pedro Relocation Center National High School, students attended educational talks on preventing teenage pregnancy and understanding their rights under the VAWC law. Age-appropriate content and interactive sessions helped equip students with knowledge to make informed choices and recognize signs of abuse.
Complementing these educational components was the distribution of hygiene kits that included basic health products and educational materials—ensuring participants received not only knowledge but also practical tools for personal well-being.
In a spirited display of advocacy and unity, the Zonta Club of Fairfax County, VA, USA, participated in a coordinated postcard campaign in support of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) during their annual holiday gathering in December 2024.
Longtime supporters of the ERA, the club first rallied behind the amendment when the ERA bus toured Virginia—a pivotal moment that helped make the state the 38th and final state needed to ratify the amendment in 2020. Believing that all legal requirements to enact the ERA had been met, members decided to write personalized postcards to President Joe Biden, urging him to instruct the Archivist of the United States to formally publish the ERA as the 28th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
The postcard-writing initiative was done in collaboration with the ERA Coalition, aligning with nationwide efforts to send a unified message to the White House. Members came prepared with postcards in hand and heartfelt messages advocating for gender equality and constitutional recognition of women’s rights.
In a significant development, just three days before the end of his term, President Biden announced that the Equal Rights Amendment is the “law of the land”—recognizing it as the 28th Amendment to the Constitution. While advocates acknowledge that the fight for full implementation and legal recognition continues, Zonta members celebrated this milestone as a meaningful result of sustained pressure and coalition-based advocacy.
In a creative and moving effort to raise awareness during the global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign, the Zonta Club of Jelgava, Latvia, launched a striking public initiative titled “Salmiem nesāp, bet sievietei? Atpazīsti vardarbību!” (“Straw doesn’t hurt, but a woman does? Recognize violence!”), held from 25 November to 10 December.
At the heart of the campaign was the installation of 12 large straw dolls, crafted by 22 local women, including Zonta members, and displayed across key public spaces in Jelgava. Each doll represented a real-life story of abuse—ranging from physical and psychological violence to subtle and often-overlooked forms of coercion. The stories, published in both Latvian and English, provided education on recognizing abuse and offered information on where to seek help.
“This was a great event and made me think that one should not feel guilty if suffering from violence,” said one attendee. Another remarked, “The event made me think in different ways… I now realize violence isn’t just physical.”
The campaign also featured the club’s annual “No sirds uz sirdi” (“From Heart to Heart”) awards ceremony, recognizing activists and professionals who have made significant contributions to protecting women’s rights in Jelgava city and district.
While the creation of the dolls required dedication and emotional engagement, the process also fostered connection and dialogue among participants—underscoring Zonta’s commitment to building both community and awareness.
The initiative garnered strong attention in local press and TV news, blending Latvia’s rich folk traditions with modern advocacy to powerfully spotlight the urgent issue of gender-based violence.
In a deeply moving initiative held on 18-19 November, the Zonta Club of Melbourne, FL, USA, transformed a local church into a space of remembrance, awareness and advocacy through its Shoe Project, a visual exhibit designed to educate the public about the devastating toll of domestic violence.
Triggered by the tragic loss of a beloved local executive—murdered by her intimate partner—the event struck a profound chord in the community. “She lit up every room with her smile and style,” one attendee said. “To know she was suffering in silence is heartbreaking.”
To honor the lives lost and raise awareness, the club collected 466 pairs of gently used shoes, each tagged with the name of a woman killed by an intimate partner—representing the number of women in the U.S. who die due to domestic violence every 16 days. The shoes were arranged as a solemn pathway, creating a haunting and impactful experience. For many, the exhibit was too personal to walk through; some cried, others shared their own stories.
The event, open to the public, featured informational booths from local organizations, including the Brevard Sheriff’s Office, Serene Harbor, the Cocoa Salvation Army Domestic Violence Shelter, Women’s Center of Brevard and Titusville, and the Palm Bay Police Department’s Victim Services Unit—ensuring resources were readily available to those in need.
At the end of the two-day exhibit, all shoes were donated to local women’s shelters. The initiative, which received coverage from Everything Brevard, is now featured in a powerful video that continues to spread the message: Watch the video here Read the feature article
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