awareness advocacy storytelling

Zonta Club of Bangkok IX installs new Z club and hosts lecture on violence against women

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On 14 November, the Zonta Club of Bangkok IX, Thailand, led by President Dr. Sunjutha Witchawut, installed a Z Club at Phanomthuanchanupatham School in Kanchanaburi Province.

The ceremony was graced by distinguished guests, including Zonta District 17 Lt. Governor Z. Runcha Boribalburibhand, Area 6 Director Z. Inthira Sawadpanich and District 17 Z and Golden Z Club Committee Vice Chair Z. Natpapha Jiirakulkij, who performed the installation. President Sunjutha presented the Z Club flag along with a donation of 10,000 THB to support the new club’s activities.

Also in attendance were Panida Pathumarak, Area 6 Club Creator, members of the Zonta Club of Bangkok III, and Z Club members from Visuttharangsi Kanchanaburi School, who observed the ceremony as part of their preparation for their own upcoming Z Club installation.

Following the installation, the school hosted a special lecture on stopping violence against women, raising awareness among students and educating them on addressing this critical issue.

Zonta Clubs in Bulgaria partner with ballet to raise awareness against violence

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The “The Nutcracker” premiere production by the Stara Zagora State Opera Ballet served as a stunning backdrop for the campaign Rada Says NO to Violence, spearheaded by Zonta clubs in Bulgaria. The ballet’s director, Silvia Tomova, provided powerful and heartfelt support for the initiative, which seeks to raise awareness and prevent violence against women and girls.   

The campaign centers around Rada, a symbolic orange doll made of recyclable materials. It features a QR code and the hashtag #IAmRada. The QR code provides access to resources for preventing and addressing violence, aiming to empower women to take the first step in seeking help and speaking out.   

The campaign, supported by the National Legal Aid Bureau, the Bulgarian Fund for Women and co-financed by the European Union, unites Zonta clubs across Bulgaria to create a large-scale movement advocating for women’s safety and rights.   

“I am Rada. Today, I live a new life,” reads the campaign’s inspiring message. “This story is not just mine—it is the story of every woman who has found the strength to face violence and move on. You can too!”   

Zonta Club of Atlántico Sur’s 16 Days of Activism

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On 25 November, the Zonta Club of Atlántico Sur, Uruguay, will begin the 16 Days of Activism campaign with an expansion of last year’s successful Orange Benches initiative across the area. The campaign, focused on the message “Say NO to violence against women and girls,” will feature regular updates on social media and the organization’s website.

As part of the campaign, the district will proudly present From Caterpillar to Butterfly, a thought-provoking play about gender violence, in the city of Pan de Azúcar. The performance aims to raise awareness and spark dialogue on the issue, with strong support and coverage from local media.

District 31 hosts musical event to promote anti-violence advocacy

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Zonta Clubs of Taipei I and Taipei II co-sponsored the joint monthly meeting Folk Song Youth Reappearance, drawing 108 participants, including members from 13 Zonta clubs across Taiwan. The event combined nostalgic music with a powerful message, advocating kindness and warmth as alternatives to violence and fear.

Through the universal language of music, the event echoed Zonta’s international anti-violence initiative, emphasizing respect, equality and harmony. Campus folk songs—a cultural form rich in humanistic spirit—were used to convey the concept of “replacing violence with love and fear with hope.”

This unique event brought participants back to days of innocence through music and reinforced Zonta’s core mission of empowering women and promoting world peace. It showcased how cultural expressions can inspire change and strengthen the call for a violence-free society.

Zonta Clubs in Taiwan celebrate 105 years and advocate against violence

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In celebration of Zonta International’s 105th anniversary and the “Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women” campaign, the Zonta Club of Hsinchu, Taiwan, hosted a one-day gathering at a popular persimmon farm. The event included members from five clubs: Zonta Clubs of Taipei III, Miaoli, Metropolis and Changhua.

Despite a challenging typhoon, the event was a success, fostering fellowship among Zontians from different counties and reinforcing cross-club connections. “Happy 105th birthday, Zonta! Let’s move on to another 105!” cheered participants, marking a resilient and spirited celebration of the organization’s legacy and advocacy.

I am RADA campaign launches to combat domestic violence

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On 2 November, all Bulgarian clubs of Zonta International launched the I am RADA project to combat domestic violence, with initiatives across Sofia, Plovdiv, Burgas, Varna, Veliko Tarnovo, Ruse and Stara Zagora. The campaign features the Rada doll, a symbol of support for victims of domestic violence, positioned in public places alongside orange-painted benches illuminating parks and streets. Each doll carries a QR code linking to the “HELP ME” app, developed by the National Office for Legal Assistance, where victims can access resources and contacts for support.

District 30 Governor Yana Gencheva emphasized that the campaign aims to protect all victims, including men, affected by violence. “Rada is our hope and belief for a world without violence, a world where everyone has equal rights,” said Diana Ivanova, director of Area 05, District 30.

As part of the campaign, Zonta encourages citizens to show their support by taking photos with the Rada dolls and sharing them on social media with the hashtag #АзСамРада. The project is supported by the Bulgarian Women’s Fund and the European Union and aims to foster a culture of respect and safety for all.

Global spotlight on Zonta Club of Accra II’s campaign against violence 

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During the 16 Days of Activism, the Zonta Club of Accra II, Ghana, took action to address violence against women by engaging with the women at Osu Night Market and nearby teenage girls. The event featured a discussion led by male facilitators and included a health screening for the women in the area. As part of the Zonta Says No campaign, Zonta aprons were distributed to the women who cook at the market, helping to raise awareness of the cause. 

In an exciting development, these Zonta aprons were later featured in a video by the popular YouTube channel “Best Ever Food Review Show,” which has nearly 11 million followers and regularly garners over a million views per video. The video offers excellent exposure for the campaign, starting at the 14-minute mark, where the Zonta aprons are prominently displayed. 

Watch the YouTube video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0iTf6AAD18 

Zonta Club of Makati and Environs partners with Makati Social Welfare Development to combat violence against women and children 

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On 9 August, the Zonta Club of Makati and Environs, Philippines, conducted a meeting with a like-minded organization in Makati, the Makati Social Welfare Development (MSWD). The two organizations discussed the Memorandum of Understanding and planned collaborations for celebrating the 16 Days of Activism, Women’s Month and other advocacy projects that will benefit marginalized women and children in Makati.  The main goals of this collaboration are:  

1. To help resolve the issue of violence against women and children in the marginalized sectors of society, specifically in Makati. 

 2. To create programs and activities that raise awareness about violence against women and children.  

3. To improve the legal, political, economic, educational, health and professional status of women in Makati through service and advocacy. 

4. To advance understanding, goodwill and peace through significant activities and programs that promote justice and universal respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.  

5. To unite in fostering high ethical standards, implementing service and advocacy programs and providing mutual support to communities.  

Present at this meeting were club president Joanne Z. Andrada, accompanied by club service committee chairs Vikki Yu and Armita Rufino and club executive director Jay Joaquino. Also in attendance were MSWD department head Ms. Loida Pangilinan, Ms. Dulce Manansala, RSW and two other staff members from MSWD.  The city of Makati, MSWD and the Zonta Club of Makati & Environs Foundation, Inc. are partners in promoting programs to combat violence against women and children. 

Zonta clubs in Akureyri marches to end violence against women

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On 30 November, the Zonta clubs of Akureyri-Thorunn Hyrna and Akureyri, Iceland, collaborated with the Soroptimist Club of Akureyri to organize a torchlight march to end violence against women.

The turnout for the event was very impressive. The march was led by the mayor and the police chief, and the media covered the event extensively, including taking photographs of it. At the conclusion of the walk, a powerful speech was given about gender-based violence against women in Iceland, highlighting the possibility of victims’ growth and resilience despite their experiences of violence. The speech was published in its entirety by the media.

The clubs believe it is important to work against gender-based violence in Iceland, as in other countries. gender-based violence has increased as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence in Akureyri is important to remind all of this serious fact and that gender-based violence must be fought against by all means and in cooperation with many parties.

Zonta Club of Cebu II stages ARTivism

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To kick off the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, the Zonta Club of Cebu II, Philippines, staged ARTivism 2023 to show women’s universal perspectives on various gender issues through diverse stage art forms.

The club’s advocacy committee organized the exhibit, which merged art and activism, at Oakridge Garden Plaza starting on 26 November.

Women ARTivism 2023 emphasized the power of performing arts in conveying advocacy messages. The performances ranged from singing to dances, poem recitals to monologues, all amplifying women’s voices. By encouraging attendees to identify various issues, the club wanted to convey that women who want to share their advocacies can use their art to communicate.

During the event, the club tackled various issues, such as monologues on climate change, dramatic readings on human trafficking based on real-life interviews with survivors in Cebu, songs that celebrated women’s empowerment and short plays that discussed gender-based violence and life as an activist.