Zonta Club of Central Tuguegarao, Philippines, finishes the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence with a bang!

For each of the 16 days, the club held at least one activity.

Day 1
Activity 1: Envisioning video.

Activity 2: Zonta Eco Angels Tree Planting Project at the Zonta Forest and Garden.

Activity 3: Simultaneous changing of Facebook Frame and cover photos.

Day 2

Activity 4: Alay-Agay 3.0 Indigenous Peoples Empowerment Program

Day 3

Activity 5: Zonta Information Caravan on Gender-Based Violence Prevention and Response

Activity 6: Healthcare Information and Management Services Road Show

Activity 7: Tarpaulin display

Day 4

Activity 8: GWAPA 2.0

Activity 9: Cagayan State University – Carig Campus, GAD Seminar for 1200 Students

Day 5

Activity 10: We Remember Film Viewing held at multiple locations

Activity 11: General Membership Meeting

Day 6

Activity 12: Pinning of Orange Ribbon at Cagayan State University-Carig Campus In partnership with Golden Z Club of Cagayan State University – College of Engineering and Architecture

Activity 13: Pinning of Orange Ribbon at Cagayan State University-Andrews Campus In partnership with Golden Z Club of Cagayan State University-College of Business, Entrepreneurship and Accountancy

Activity 14: Pinning of Orange Ribbon at Cagayan National High School In partnership with Z Club of Cagayan National High School – Senior High

Day 7

Activity 15: ZCCT x Padday na Yena Cooperative Seminar with CDA

Activity 16: ZCCT honored with Plaque of Recognition at LCAT-VAWC Functionality Awards

Activity 17: All About Eve

Day 8

Activity 18: Bike Against Violence

Day 9

Activity 19: Memory Wall

Activity 20: 2-Day skills training for candle-making

Day 10

Activity 21: Kapihan para sa Kababaihan (Coffee Meet for Women)

Day 11

Activity 22: Men Against VAWC video

Day 12

Activity 23: Slogan and Poster Making

Activity 24: Student Signature Campaign

Day 13

Activity 25: Call to Action, Open Letter to Media

Activity 26: Lecture Safe Spaces And and Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children Act in partnership with the Golden Z Club of Cagayan State University – College of Engineering and Architecture.

Day 14

Activity 27: Leaders Speak video

Day 15

Activity 28: Day of Service at the Haven for Women and Girls

Day 16

Activity 29: Unveiling of Arts Against Violence

Activity 30: Awarding ceremony for the Search for Most VAW Responsive Barangay of Tuguegarao City

The Zonta Club of Prowers County, USA, completes 16 daily activities supporting the Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women and the 16 Days of Activism campaigns. In addition to attending the proclamation signing at the Prowers County Commissioners’ Meeting, members performed daily activities from 25 November through 10 December, such as:

• Hanging a banner at the train depot.
• Decorating a storefront window.
• Setting orange pinwheels at the County Courthouse and County Annex.
• Placing silhouettes at entrances to the library, community building and courthouse.
• Installing orange ribbons around downtown light posts.
• Participating in the Red Sand Project to spread the message across town locations, including Lamar Community College.

Several events were open to the public, including the In Her Shoes Event and Discussion and a showing of Knots: A Forced Marriage Story at the Cultural Events Center. Additionally, the club donated funds and gifts to the Domestic Safety Resource Center at a potluck instead of a dinner out.

The final weekend concluded with a “Take Back the Night” walk downtown and a photo op at the train depot, signaling the last day. A request was made for the club to present its award-winning advocacy program at the District 12 Area 4 meeting in Cañon City in April 2024.

The Zonta Club of Pokhara, Nepal, passionately orchestrated impactful events as part of the 16 Days of Activism campaign, which is dedicated to ending gender-based violence.

The campaign started with a compelling digital video display on the first day, 15 November, at Mulmi Enterprises, Pokhara. The club showcased engaging visuals and powerful messages on large LED screens, captivating the community’s attention. The display served as a striking introduction, raising awareness about the urgent need to unite against gender-based violence.

Following the digital display, on 4 December, the club held its “Ride to Rise- Let’s Ride for a Cause” scooter rally covering a dynamic 5-kilometer route through the heart of Pokhara. The chief general secretary of Gandaki Pradesh, Lakshmi Kumari Basnet, graced the event along with many passionate activists and members. Eager participants, especially active youths, joined the cause and pledged to unite, invest and prevent violence against women and girls. The rally symbolized unity and highlighted the importance of actively participating in the journey towards a safer, violence-free world.

Diversifying the approach, the club conducted cybercrime awareness advocacy on four campuses. The club addressed the growing concern of cyber-related violence through interactive sessions, informative presentations and engaging discussions. Empowering students with knowledge and strategies to combat cybercrime was a pivotal aspect of this initiative.

The club’s 16 Days of Activism campaign events successfully blended digital outreach, community engagement, and educational advocacy. The club remains dedicated to fostering positive change in the community and advocating for a future free from violence.

Noosa says no to domestic and family violence was a message sent by the Zonta Club of Noosa.

“Violence against women is not inevitable, it is preventable,“ Zonta Club of Noosa president Robyn O’Neill told a group of supporters who marched along Gympie Terrace last Sunday to say no to violence against women and girls.

“To end violence against women we need to challenge attitudes that perpetuate, rationalise and normalise that violence and deny women’s rights to safety,“ Robyn said.

“Violence is the language of the inarticulate. It’s so true. We’ve seen it in our own lives when people get so angry they can’t speak – that’s when they resort to physical violence. Too many people don’t understand how to express themselves without dominance, power and control.

“Respect starts with a conversation, so let’s start talking. We need to start real conversations about why ordinary people commit horrific acts of violence against the people closest to them.“

The club’s annual walk is part of Zonta International’s 16 Days of Activism campaign (from 25 November to World Human Rights Day on 10 December) against gender-based violence, aimed at raising awareness of the risks, impact and dangers of gender-based violence.

So far this year, 58 women in Australia have been killed in domestic and family violence situations.

Robyn described the campaign as a call for action, a critical part in a global movement “against one of world’s most persistent violations against human rights and that is violence against women“.

“Calls for action are crucial. They shine a spotlight on the issue of violence against women,“ she said.

“They are a moment to create public awareness of what needs to change to prevent it from happening in the first place at all at local, national and international level. Because as we know violence against women and girls is something that effects every country in world.

“To end violence against women we need to challenge attitudes that perpetuate, rationalise and normalise that violence and deny women’s rights to safety.

“Shifting behaviours is hard and slow but gender equality means all of us and working with all genders is the only way to see true change. We need the men to stand beside the women all the way.

“While men can be victims as well, they are overwhelmingly the perpetrators of gender based violence.“

After a week chairing public hearings held by the Youth Justice Reform Select Committee, Noosa MP Sandy Bolton told the group what she had heard taught her much more than a discussion was needed.

“What we’ve seen in households across Queensland – it starts right there,“ Sandy said.

“It’s all interconnected. The children who are coming out of those households – it is deeply disturbing that we haven’t broken the cycle and we have so much more to do.

“What we have found is there’s a lack of communication to the assistance available and also the early interventions that happen right in our schools.

“Just about every witness I’ve heard this week has said it takes a community, it takes a society. It’s not just up to government or one person, it takes all of us.

“I ask you to spread the word that there is help and within the homes to reach out. If you don’t know who to reach out to call council, call myself, call somebody and we will connect you and follow Zonta on Facebook.“

Source: https://noosatoday.com.au/news/29-11-2023/noosa-says-no-to-violence-2/