Zonta Club of Accra, together with all the other five Zonta International Clubs in Ghana, have dedicated 16 days, from 25th November to 10th December, 2021, to campaign against gender-based violence.
The activism campaign is aimed at raising awareness about the seriousness of all forms of violence and the injustices meted out to women and girls, which impinge on their human rights, thus demeaning them.
Such violence includes; forced marriages, rape, Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), human trafficking and domestic violence.”
To mark the celebration this year, Zonta Club of Accra last weekend staged a token sponsored walk to raise funds for service programmes they have embarked on to raise the status of women.
In a Media Release dated November 29, 2021, to mark the occasion, the President of the Club, Zontian Vivienne Idun-Ogde called for an end to all forms of violence against women and girls. She said the campaign is aimed at bringing change and upholding the human rights of women who form the backbone of society.
She said violence against women is a worldwide pandemic crossing every social and economic class, religion, every race and ethnicity. She added, “ Violence against women and girls occur in many aspects of life including the home, work places, on the internet, and in open space”.
Giving out some statistics, the Zonta President said: “35 percent of women will experience violence at the hands of their current or former partners in their lifetime.”
Further statistics show that 650 million women worldwide alive today were married as children. Out of that number, one in three got married before age 15. Additionally, 200 million women and girls worldwide have undergone FGM with majority of them cut at age five.
Women and girls together account for 71 percent of all human trafficking victims detected globally.
Zonta International is a leading global organisation of professionals empowering women worldwide through service and advocacy.
It envisions a world in which women’s rights are recognised as human rights and every woman is able to achieve her full potential. In such a world, no woman lives in fear of violence.
SAULT STE. MARIE – The Zonta Club of Sault Ste. Marie is launching a social media campaign to highlight the issue of gender-based violence. It’s part of an international campaign aimed at ending violence against women and girls.
At a flag-raising ceremony at Women in Crisis Algoma, a bell tolled 35 times – once for each of the women reported by the Ontario Association of Transition and Interval Homes to have been killed by a male in the province. It was with this that the local Zonta Club began its “No To Violence Against Women” annual campaign.
“All those women were loved by someone,” says Jane Vienneau, Chair of the Zonta Club of Sault Ste. Marie.
“They were the mothers, grandmothers, daughters, sisters, nieces, aunts. And we want to put names to those women so that people recognize that this has happened.”
Erin Lodge, Communications and Administration Coordinator for Women In Crisis Algoma, says it’s important for society not to remain silent on gender-based violence.
“The more people stand up and are willing to be confrontational in those moments, the more we’ll change what society deems acceptable in how they speak to and treat and think about women and girls,” she says.
Sarah Paciocco, a Sexual Assault/Abuse Crisis Counsellor, says there are some signs to watch out for if a woman is experiencing abuse at the hands of a partner.
“It might be things like they’re not allowed to go out with their friends,” she says. “Their partner might tell them who they can hang out with. They might be calling them constantly when they’re out – ‘where are you? When are you coming back?’ They might see them treating their partner really poorly when they go out somewhere.
From Nov.25 to Dec.10, the Sault Zonta Club and Women In Crisis will be drawing attention to gender-based violence by way of daily social media posts as part of Zonta’s “16 Days of Activism” campaign.
The heartbreaking rates of domestic and family violence continues to be a stain on Australia, with an estimated 2.2 million adults reported as victims of physical and/or sexual violence by a partner from the age of 15.
Orange is the official theme of the Zonta Say No Campaign, the same colour as the UN Sustainable Development Goal 5, gender equality.
Beginning tonight, on the UN Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, Thursday 25 November, Old Parliament House and the National Carillon will light up orange.
The ACT Government will also be illuminating light rail stops this evening, and the Canberra Times fountain and the Malcolm Fraser Bridge for the entire 16 days.
ZCCB president Christine Magner said in the past 12 months alone, 38 women and girls across Australia have died as a result of domestic and family violence.
“While this is the lowest – so far – since numbers were first recorded in 2012, it might not tell the full story,” Ms Magner said.
“And from our work in delivering home starter packs to women rebuilding after violence, we know COVID has exacerbated the shortage of affordable housing options for women.”
The Zonta Says No campaign will conclude on Friday 10 December, International Human Rights Day, with the Canberra Rotary Peace Bell at Canberra Nara Peace Park tolling 38 times – one for each woman killed at the hands of domestic violence.
On Tuesday 30 November, author Heidi Lemon, who wrote the story of Tara Costigan’s murder in The First Time He Hit Her, will feature in a discussion presented by Libraries ACT and hosted by ZCCB Vice President, Serina Bird.
ZCCB’s social media feed during the 16-day campaign will feature poignant photos of 38 pairs of shoes, representing every woman killed by domestic violence in Australia in the last 12 months.
Zonta Club of Cebu 2 proudly announces its relevant list of activities for total awareness of the danger and diverse effects of violence toward women. Entitled the “18 Days of Activism,” its focus is the international commemoration of the elimination of abuses of women and girls worldwide.
This year’s theme is “A VAW (Violence Against Women)-Free Mandaue Starts with Me.” The varied events are participated in by Zontians, as well as the Golden Z Clubs (Junior Zontians) from our universities.
Calendar is as follows:
Nov. 1-30 – Golden Z series of competitions in Animation, Story-telling, Literary Piece and Poster-making. Venue: USPF Golden Z.
Nov. 13-20 – Tubo-An eight-day Online Art Fair supporting 15 women artists, in collaboration with the Arts Council of Cebu.
Nov. 25 – ”Walk for Women” begins (virtual). – Launching of the “18 Days of Activism” campaign, with messages from Sen. Risa Hontiveros; Rep. Maria Lourdes Acosta-Alba; Dr. Rhodora Bucoy, speaker on the relevance of the “18 Days of Activism;” and Zonta District 17 governor Chavali Pamela-Osathanugrah.
-Dissecting the ”Girls Not Brides” Law is speaker Atty. Myles Esquivel. The webinar starts at 5 p.m. via Zoom. Meeting ID: 873-4171-2470 and Passcode: 378811.
Nov. 26 – ”Walk for Women”(virtual)
Nov. 27 – ”Walk for Women”(virtual) – Tarpaulin/ Posters/Leaflets distribution at various locations. – Announcement of winners: ”Women at the Core of the Pandemic: Celebrating their Resilience and Strength”—A Photo Competition, via the Zonta Club of Cebu 2 Facebook page.
Nov. 28 – “Walk for Women” – Mandaue City Women Empowerment Movers – 5:30 a.m. Mixed face-to-face at Mandani Bay and Virtual.
Nov. 29 – “Walk for Women”(virtual)
Nov. 30 – “Walk for Women” (virtual) – “What does misogyny look like and why should we care?” Resource Person: Dr. Marie Aubrey J. Villaceran – Webinar via Zoom, 4 p.m., meeting ID: 869-3719-1898 and Passcode: 721249.
Dec. 1 – “Walk for Women”(virtual) – Aids and Covid-19: Pandemics that crushed the world – In observance of World Aids Day, webinar resource speakers: Commissioner Percival Cendana; Dr. Brian Lim and Dr. Helen Madamba.
Time: 6 p.m. via Zoom. Meeting ID: 830-7903-6980 and Passcode: 017493.
Dec. 2 and 3 – ”Walk for Women” (virtual)
Dec. 4 – ”Walk for Women” (virtual) – The Perils of Teenage Pregnancy: What’s the rush? Don’t be a teen parent! Webinar resource speakers: Dr. Renna de Leon; Dr. Pureza Oñate, 3 p.m. via Zoom. Meeting ID: 835-9649-8222 and Passcode: 394769.
Dec. 5 to 11 “Walk for Women” (virtual)
Dec. 12 – “Walk for Women” (virtual) – “A Cry for Help,” Examining the Length and Breadth of Human Trafficiking. Webinar Speaker, International Justice Mission, Atty. Olga I. Angustia-Gonzalez; Jonna Eleccion, 2 p.m. via Zoom. Meeting ID: 861-3511-7084 and Passcode: 345497 – Announcement of Audio Visual Competition Winners: “The Time is Now-Women Unite!” and “The Perils of Teenage Pregnancy.”
Dec. 15 – Launching of the E-Visit In Jail – Giving of Christmas Favors, Mandaue City BJMP – Mixed Face-to-Face, Virtual.
From Nov. 20 to Dec. 20, Cause & Affect Gallery in Fenton is showcasing art on a difficult topic — violence against women.
The “See it, Hear it, Speak out!” is an all-woman show in which 15 artists share their voices and perspectives on the violence women experience.
“Violence against women occurs all around the world and is in many forms. This exhibit speaks to many of these forms of violence. As a society if we see it, or heart it, we must speak out. This show may be triggering for some individuals and may not be appropriate for children,” according to the press release.
Annie Anglim, owner of the gallery, has wanted to take on hard topics ever since she opened Cause & Affect.
“Art has the ability to make people look at things differently. Nov. 25 each year is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and I wanted this show to coincide with that,” Anglim said.
This event is sponsored by the Zonta Club of Flint and Michigan Fence Company. Anglim is a member of Zonta International. The organization works to end violence against women. They do 16 days of activism every year beginning Nov. 25.
These heavy topics can be hard and triggering for people who have dealt with these experiences.
“This has been a tough show for me personally as well as I too was a victim. If we do not discuss these things, nothing will ever change. Using art to speak on this topic helps us to dialogue with one another,” Anglim said.
She hopes the exhibit helps people learn what women face every day.
“Women should not have to be a victim of violence just because they were born female. I also want to see men get on board and start to let one another know it is not okay to treat women this way. If there could be legislative change happen, that would be wonderful. An example of this is child marriage,” Anglim said.
Cause & Affect Gallery is located at 126 N. LeRoy St. Gallery Hours: 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. Tuesday – Thursday 12 p.m. – 8 p.m. Friday 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. Saturday
According to the World Health Organization: • Violence against women — particularly intimate partner violence and sexual violence — is a major public health problem and a violation of women’s human rights. • Globally, about 1 in 3 (30%) of women worldwide have been subjected to either physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence or non-partner sexual violence in their lifetime. Most of this violence is intimate partner violence. Worldwide, almost one third (27%) of women aged 15-49 years who have been in a relationship report that they have been subjected to some form of physical and/or sexual violence by their intimate partner. • Violence can negatively affect women’s physical, mental, sexual, and reproductive health, and may increase the risk of acquiring HIV in some settings. • Violence against women is preventable. The health sector has an important role to play to provide comprehensive health care to women subjected to violence, and as an entry point for referring women to other support services they may need.
From initiatives ranging from food insecurity to affordable housing, Zonta Club of Traverse City is working to provide opportunities to help elevate the status of local women and they need your help. Learn how you can support this project and additional Northern Michigan nonprofits featured in our 2021 GIVE issue.
It’s no secret that the pandemic has hit women particularly hard—the struggle to work without childcare and the stress of having school-aged children at home has meant women losing work, leaving work, juggling remote work or trying to get to essential jobs in the workplace. Fortunately, Zonta Club of Traverse City has their backs. With a mission to empower women through service and advocacy, this fearless group of nonprofit leaders, professionals and passionate advocates has doubled down this past year. They’ve recruited even more members, funded and supported the work of local nonprofits, and are at the ready to help area women create lasting change in their lives and families.
As advocates, members participate in Zonta Club’s international campaign to prevent violence against women and support gender equity, as well as fund nonprofits with annual grants. “What we’re doing is putting our muscle behind the local organizations who are in the trenches working for the wellbeing of women and children,” says Zonta Club of Traverse City member Dayna Ryan.
Efforts include offering hands-on service and support with local initiatives to address hunger and food insecurity, helping build affordable housing for families, supporting literacy for children, promoting breast cancer prevention and providing opportunities for young girls in the fields of science and technology.
Zonta offers annual scholarships and awards that go directly to helping women of all ages reach their goals and educational dreams. In addition, Zonta offers opportunities and financial awards to exceptional women and girls in public affairs and leadership. “The goal is to encourage and recognize these women striving to the highest levels of personal accomplishment,” says Rhonda Estes, Zonta Club of Traverse City president. Zonta is seeking passionate advocates to join them as members in their work to help elevate the status of local women. You can also support Zonta’s efforts at their annual Festival of Trees on November 12–13. Find out more at zontacluboftraversecity.org.
ZONTA Club of Cebu 1 is set to conduct a series of activities to promote awareness of the rights of women and girls.
The club will celebrate the annual 18 Days of Activism End Violence Against Women and Girls from November 25, 2021, which is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, until December 12.
Zonta Club of Cebu 1 is the charter Member of Zonta International in Cebu.
December 10 is the actual World Human Rights Day, but then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo added two more days to the celebration.
The theme of the event is “Orange The World, Leave No One Behind: End Violence Against Women and Girls.”
Women empowerment
The main vision of Zonta International is really the empowerment of women and children, said Zonta Club of Cebu 1 president Gina Garcia Atienza.
“Our club, a charter member of Zonta International in Cebu, aims to create awareness among women in the community. Women’s rights are human rights. They are not given what is due them so it’s important that they know how to protect themselves legally,” Atienza said.
For her part, Zonta Club of Cebu 1 vice president Jane Panganiban said women from the marginalized sector often experience violence.
“We feel that this activity will help empower women. Education is also empowerment,” she said.
Zonta Club of Cebu 1 will be organizing several activities such as the virtual training on gender-based violence on November 25; the tree planting and launching of Go Green Initiative on November 26; a talk on Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act (Republic Act 9262) on November 26; Cyber Blast Campaign on violence against women; and poster with slogan competition.
Violence Just like other countries, there are also cases of violence against women and children in the Philippines. According to the 2017 Philippine National Demographic and Health Survey, 27 percent of married women experienced physical, sexual and/or emotional violence by a spouse during their lifetime. Many women and children are also victims of economic abuse, where fathers, or husbands, do not provide financial support to their families.
The survey shows that 17 percent of women (aged 15-49 years old) have experienced physical violence since age 15. Also, 73 percent of cases against married women were perpetrated by a current or former husband/partner. It was also found that 51 percent of never-married women were perpetrated by a parent or step parent.
Based on the findings, five percent had experienced sexual violence that were committed by current or former husbands, partners or boyfriends.
However, only 34 percent of women who experienced physical or sexual violence sought help through formal systems, according to the survey results.
Through its activities, Zonta Club of Cebu 1 aims to encourage women to stand for their rights.
The COVID-19 pandemic hasn’t kept the local Zonta Club from marking the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, but it continues to raise concerns for the victims potentially trapped in homes with their abusers.
That concern was top of mind when the Zonta Club held its annual Zonta Says No campaign last year during the pandemic and remains a year later as the second COVID-era rally took place Thursday on the Parry Bridge in Chatham. “People think in Canada we’re a pretty damn civilized society, but one of the hideous outcomes of COVID has been a dramatic increase in gender-based violence,” Hiliary Henley, advocacy chair for the Zonta Club, said.
She said many victims have been hidden away at home.
“One in three women will experience violence in their lifetime,” said Karen Hunter, executive director of the Chatham-Kent Women’s Centre, during a flag-raising at the Civic Centre Thursday that also marked the beginning of 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence worldwide.
“Over the last year in Ontario, femicide rates have increased substantially,” she said. “Every loss to gender-based violence is one too many.”
Tara Greenway, the sexual assault domestic violence co-ordinator and clinical resource nurse at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance, said about 60 victims of sexual assault and domestic violence are treated in the emergency department each year – and that’s only the people who come forward.
She noted the numbers actually dipped at the beginning of the pandemic, and then rose up, but have since settled to numbers usually seen in the emergency department.
Some of the participants in the Zonta Says No campaign stand on the Parry Street Bridge in Chatham on Thursday to take part in the annual rally to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. ELLWOOD SHREVE PHOTO/Chatham Daily News/Postmedia jpg, CD Greenway said it’s critical to bring this issue to the public’s attention through events such as rallies.
“The reason I’m here is to let people know to not be afraid to come in,” she said.
Noting some people may be afraid to see medical help because of other issues, such as a drug addiction, Greenway said, “We are really here to help.”
She said victims will never have to sit in the waiting room with the general public but will be taken to a safe place to receive medical attention in private.
“Don’t be afraid. Don’t be ashamed. Come forward,” Greenway said, adding there is 24-7 on-call coverage. Greenway said there is also no pressure from health-care workers for victims to get the authorities involved.
“If they do not feel comfortable involving the legal system, we can (collect) a sexual assault evidence kit and we can hold it for up to a year,” she said.
Some of the participants in the Zonta Says No campaign, stand on the Parry Street Bridge in Chatham on Thursday to take part in the annual rally to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. ELLWOOD SHREVE PHOTO/Chatham Daily News/Postmedia PHOTO BY ELLWOOD SHREVE /jpg, CD
Some Grade 11 students from École secondaire de Pain Court took part in the rally as part of a school project.
Jayden Viazon, 16, said their project, called Global Goal, focuses on gender equality.
She said the students have done research in class, but she wanted to do something more than making a poster or posting to a social media account.
“I really want to do something with this project,” Viazon said.
Some of the participants in the Zonta Says No campaign, walk towards the Parry Street Bridge in Chatham on Thursday to take part in the annual rally to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. ELLWOOD SHREVE PHOTO/Chatham Daily News/Postmedia jpg, CD
Christian Ruiz, 16, joined his fellow classmates in participating in the rally.
“I want to learn as much as I can about what happens and what we can do to help it stop,” he said.
Viazon believes it is important for young people to get involved in this issue.
“It’s been too normalized for women to be assaulted and feel in danger,” she said.
There are a lot of young women who can’t open up and talk about the situations they’ve been through because of how difficult and sensitive of the topic can be, she said.
“I feel it’s important that we should all fight together in order that everybody can feel comfortable in their own skin and who they are as a person,” Viazon said. “I’m really proud that we’re all here.”
The Zonta Club of Bundaberg has released a magazine as part of their 16 Days of Activism Campaign to support eliminating violence against women and girls.
Hot off the press and now being distributed throughout the region, the magazine highlights the activities of the campaign which runs from 2 November through to 10 December, along with valuable information and stories about Zonta, its members and more.
With just days until the sold out Add Your Voice – Zonta Says No to Domestic Violence breakfast fundraiser on Saturday 20 November, the organisation is calling on the community to support the campaign.
“This year, we are doing something a little different and are raising funds for both the Small Steps for Hannah Foundation as well as local educational and domestic violence programs,” President of the Zonta Club of Bundaberg Le-Anne Allan said.
“We chose Small Steps 4 Hannah because their vision aligns to the Zonta vision.”
“They are about educating, advocating and supporting people around domestic and family violence.”
“They are also focused on funding projects to deliver awareness, education and support.”
Special guest speaker for the breakfast is Laura Bos who is a founding board member of Small Steps 4 Hannah. The organisation was established after the tragic loss of Hannah Clarke and her children in February 2020.
Laura was instrumental in supporting the Clarke family to develop the organisation’s strategy and be the champions of changes to laws around coercive control.
A passionate advocate of supporting people to be ‘better humans,’ Laura has championed programs and worked with many organisations that are focused on support and education, believing that, in the words of Maya Angelou, “when you know better, you do better.”
What is the 16 Days of Activism Campaign?
The 16 Days of Activism Campaign is about eliminating violence against Women and Girls.
During this period (25 November to 10 December) Zonta Clubs around the world unite to highlight the Zonta International Campaign to eliminate violence against women and girls.
Held on 25 November is the United Nations Day for the elimination of violence against women and 10 December is the United Nations Day for Human Rights.
Between these two dates is the 16 Days of Activism Campaign.
Missouri ranked the second-highest state in the country for violence against women in a 2021 study by Violence Policy Center. Zonta Club of Cape Girardeau members want to shine light on the issue.
“Incidents of gender-based violence is an epidemic worldwide,” Zonta member Cheryl Mothes said. “It is pervasive, and in some ways getting worse because of social media for young girls in particular.”
Every year, Zonta clubs across the country advocate to end gender-based violence through 16 days of activism.
The campaigns begin Nov. 25, International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, and end Dec. 10, Human Rights Day. The time frame was chosen to highlight how violence against women and young girls is a human rights violation, according to Mothes.
Cape Girardeau Mayor Bob Fox read a proclamation at Monday night’s City Council meeting to recognize the 16 days between Nov. 25 and Dec. 10 as the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence.
Local Zonta members have events planned in Cape Girardeau for their campaign.
From 10 to 11 a.m. Nov. 27 at Capaha Park Liberty Corner, Zonta will host a memorial service for Missouri women who were murdered in 2020.
From 1 to 3 p.m. Dec. 4 at Capaha Park Liberty Corner, Zonta will organize a peaceful assembly for its Zonta says No to Violence Against Women Event. Other community organizations including Safe House of Southeast Missouri and Honorable Young Men Club will attend to stand in solidarity, Mothes said.
Bringing awareness to violence against women has long been a personal motivation of Mothes’.
“I was a victim of sexual harassment, but, long before that, I was wired to elevate the status of women; not by bringing men down, but by leveling the playing field,” Mothes said.
Join us in saying NO 