The Zonta Club of New Rochelle, USA, members participated in and promoted the Zonta Say NO Virtual Summit held on 10 December. The club used the Summit as a vehicle to advance conversations on gender equity and male allyship. Club members widely shared information about the Summit across their personal and professional networks, inviting friends, neighbors and colleagues to attend and engage with one or more sessions.
Despite being a small club of just 12 members, the Zonta Club of Albury–Wodonga Inc., Australia, made a significant impact during the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence. Over the campaign period, members participated in events on 10 of the 16 days, while their orange displays and advocacy symbols remained visible throughout the entire observance.
The campaign began with large-scale “orange bombing,” with members decorating four large trees in Albury and 20 smaller trees across the Murray River in Wodonga, creating striking symbols of solidarity. Throughout the 16 days, “orange ladies” appeared across business districts and community events, reinforcing the campaign’s visibility. The club also successfully requested that the Wodonga Council illuminate the Water Tower on the main street in orange for the first five days of the campaign.
Members engaged in education and collaboration, including participation in a webinar on coercive control hosted by the Zonta e-Club NSW/ACT and led by investigative journalist Jess Hill. The club partnered with Wodonga TAFE to host a Walk and Talk and marketplace event attended by approximately 100 people, and supported a community vigil honoring the 68 women and 24 children killed by known perpetrators, marked by the placement of a native flower beneath local flagpoles.
Additional advocacy efforts included attending a talk by tennis player Jelena Dokic on surviving abuse, partnering with local Rotary clubs to organize a Walk Against Digital Violence in Albury, and joining a rural walk in Yackandandah with schoolchildren, community groups and even ponies. Members also supported a neighborhood center-hosted luncheon featuring a Zonta-led barbecue, a merchandise stall and mentoring for a local event management student.
On the final day, members dismantled the tree displays and gathered for a celebratory shared meal, reflecting on their collective efforts and the meaningful impact achieved through collaboration, visibility and community engagement.
The Zonta Club of Glens Falls, USA, purchased two billboards in their community to raise awareness and action against trafficking of women and girls locally and regionally.
On 12 December, the Zonta Club of Isabela, Philippines, extended its 16 Days of Activism efforts by conducting multiple simultaneous advocacy programs across the province, underscoring its commitment to ending gender-based violence and combating online exploitation.
In San Manuel, Isabela, the club held a focused youth session at the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Institute (OLPI), gathering about 150 high school students and teachers for a lecture on digital safety. Club Vice President Judge Ramorelia Lodriguito-Caranay delivered an intensive discussion on the Anti-Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children and Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Material Law (RA 11930). Her presentation equipped students and educators with essential knowledge of their rights and the legal protections available against online predators. The club expressed gratitude to OLPI’s faculty and students for their active participation in this extended #ZontaSaysNO campaign effort.
At the same time, in Roxas, Isabela, the club launched a major symposium in partnership with the LGU of Roxas and with the support of Board Member Dok Totep Calderon. Held at Lado Del Rio, the event brought together nearly 100 school heads, administrators, guidance counselors and student leaders for a combined legal and mental health forum.
Board Member Calderon opened the program by emphasizing the importance of placing critical discussions on women’s safety and children’s protection directly within the community. The symposium featured key presentations addressing both digital and psychological impacts of violence. Dr. Shehee Binag-Director discussed cyberbullying and mental wellness, while Atty. Maria Teresa Alberto and Atty. Carol I. Donato covered RA 9995 (Anti-Photo and Video Voyeurism Act) and RA 11930 (Anti-OSAEC and CSAEM Act), respectively. A highly engaged question-and-answer session demonstrated the strong demand for legal clarity and digital safety education.
Judge Precious Lovely Olivia A. Sales-Jao, club charter president, closed the symposium by calling on participants to transform their learning into action and strengthen institutional safeguards for women and children. She reaffirmed the Zonta club of Isabela’s mission to build a better world for women and girls by ensuring every community in Isabela is informed, protected and empowered.
For the 16 Days of Activism, the Zonta Club of Matsumoto, Japan, tied orange ribbons to the trees in the square outside Matsumoto Station’s castle entrance, distributed pocket tissues to passersby to explain Zonta’s cause, and gave speeches in public using a loudspeaker.
The club also illuminated the national treasure, Matsumoto Castle, in orange to raise awareness among visitors.
This story was translated into English using Google Translate.
On 7 December, the Zonta Club of Pampanga, Philippines, successfully conducted a meaningful Violence Against Women and Children (VAWC) Awareness Talk at the Our Lady of Fatima Parish Church, under the gracious leadership of the Parish Priest, Rev. Father Emmanuel “Manny” Contreras. The activity was organized in line with the 16 Days of Activism to End Violence Against Women, reflecting the club’s steadfast commitment to empowering women, protecting children, and bringing up a safe and informed community. The event formally opened with a VAWC awareness lecture delivered by the invited resource speaker, Atty. Aura Eunice Santos, who provided comprehensive and insightful discussions on the legal framework of VAWC, the rights of women and children, and the available remedies and support systems for victims. Her clear, relatable, and empowering presentation greatly enhanced the participants’ understanding and awareness of the issue.
Following the lecture, a highly engaging and dynamic question-and-answer portion ensued, marked by active audience participation. Numerous attendees confidently raised questions and sought practical advice, demonstrating their genuine interest and concern for the topic. Notably, two gentlemen from the audience also participated, emphasizing that advocacy against violence is a shared responsibility of all genders. Rev. Father Emmanuel “Manny” Contreras himself joined the discussion, further enriching the exchange with thoughtful insights and light-hearted remarks that created an atmosphere of openness, learning, and even moments of laughter. The lively interaction underscored the success of the activity in breaking barriers and encouraging honest dialogue within the community.
The project benefited 55 parents and mothers from the local community, equipping them with vital knowledge and awareness on VAWC. The activity was attended by three Zontian members, Gina Millan, President of the Zonta Club of Pampanga; VP Leonor R. Bais; and Past President Gilda Padua, along with five non-Zontian participants. Their presence highlighted the collective spirit of collaboration and advocacy that made the project a resounding success. Overall, the activity not only fulfilled its objectives but also strengthened community engagement, awareness, and commitment to ending violence against women and children.
The club expanded its advocacy further on 6 December through a radio program aired on 91.9 Bright FM in San Fernando City. The broadcast featured Atty. Karen Guevarra and Pampanga Club President Gina Rosario Millan, who discussed violence against women, preventive strategies and community support mechanisms. They also highlighted recent Zonta initiatives and ongoing projects aimed at advancing women’s empowerment in Pampanga.
Hosted by Ma’am Vee and Ma’am Jo, the radio segment broadened the club’s reach and ensured key messages on women’s rights and protection were communicated to a wider audience. This engagement strengthened the impact of the campaign by harnessing mass media to amplify public awareness and encourage community action.
As part of the “Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women and Girls” campaign, the Zonta Club of Irenopolis–Stara Zagora, Bulgaria, organized a moving musical and poetic performance on 3 December 2025 to honor the strength, resilience and beauty of women. The event aimed to show how women’s tenderness, creativity and inner power can counterbalance violence and aggression, fostering a more peaceful and compassionate society.
The large-scale initiative transformed the city of Stara Zagora into an orange beacon of solidarity and public engagement. Onstage at the Regional Library, club members read poems celebrating women, while children, artists and young musicians filled the hall with music, light and hope.
Through this artistic program, the Zonta Club delivered a clear and heartfelt message: a world free from violence is possible when empathy, dignity and unity guide collective action.
The Zonta Club of Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, has donated urgently needed vitamins, immune-supporting products, sanitary supplies, clothing and other essential items to girls and children residing at the Anti-Violence Center’s shelter. The support aims to help strengthen the health and well-being of young survivors seeking safety and recovery.
In addition to the donations, the club partnered with trainers from the Center Against Violence to conduct a series of educational sessions designed to protect adolescents from bullying both in schools and online.
The Zonta Club of Isabela, Philippines, intensified its commitment to ending gender-based violence by distributing life-saving Information Campaign Pamphlets across all municipalities and cities in Isabela Province as part of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.
The comprehensive pamphlets, produced in partnership with the Provincial Government of Isabela, include key provisions of Philippine laws protecting women and children—such as the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act (R.A. 9262), Anti-Photo and Video Voyeurism Act (R.A. 9995), and Safe Spaces Act (R.A. 11313)—along with a complete directory of emergency hotline numbers for police, fire, and rescue services in every district.
Designed as a direct guide for safety and legal protection, the publication equips women, children, and families with essential knowledge for help-seeking and defense against abuse. The club emphasized that this initiative is not merely informational but a crucial tool for empowerment and immediate support.
This club declared its commitment to ensuring that every woman and child in Isabela knows their rights, where to go for help, and how to stay safe. They also expressed gratitude to the provincial government for enabling widespread distribution of the material.
On the final day of the 16 Days of Activism, the Zonta Club of Isabela reinforced its long-standing advocacy by participating in the 2025 National Children’s Month Celebration at Barucboc National High School—an event centered on combating online sexual exploitation and protecting children’s rights.
With the theme “OSAEC-CSAEM WAKASAN: Kaligtasan at Karapatan ng Bata, Ipaglaban!”, the program highlighted the urgent need to address online abuse and strengthen child protection systems. More than 200 high school students took part in a series of legal and educational sessions led by government and legal experts.
Municipal Mayor Hon. Daryl G. Gascon delivered the Response to the Local State of Children’s Address, affirming the LGU’s commitment to safeguarding children. Atty. Carol I. Donato, Co-Chair of ZCI’s Advocacy and Service Committees and representative of the Public Attorney’s Office, conducted a detailed legal lecture on the Anti-OSAEC and Anti-CSAEM laws (R.A. 11930) and the Cybercrime Prevention Act (R.A. 10175).
Club Charter President Judge Precious Lovely Olivia A. Sales-Jao concluded the event by emphasizing the importance of sustained community education and vigilance in protecting children from online and physical exploitation.
The club extended its appreciation to its partners—including the Local Government of Roxas, the Public Attorney’s Office, the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office, Barucboc NHS faculty, and the student leaders—for their dedication to child safety and rights.
On 24 November, the Zonta Club of Janesville, USA, hosted a reception and candlelight vigil to raise awareness for the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.
Attendees heard from Wisconsin State Senator Mark Spreitzer about efforts to end child marriage in Wisconsin, the executive director of the YWCA about the prevalence of violence against women in our community, and from other members who attended the Wisconsin Assembly Lobby Day.
Following the presentations, participants received a list of actionable steps they could take to help prevent gender-based violence, along with informational placards to distribute to local businesses. The placards, designed for women’s restroom stalls, provide safety resources for individuals who may be in danger.
The evening concluded with a candlelight march to the downtown bridge, which was illuminated in orange in recognition of the global campaign. The vigil closed with a moving, poetic reading written by a survivor of domestic violence.
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