awareness advocacy storytelling

Zonta Club of Kowloon encourages victims of gender-based violence seek help

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Realizing that updated statistical data on violence is severely lacking in Hong Kong and globally, the Zonta Club of Kowloon sponsored the ‘Hong Kong Women’s Experience of Violence 2021’ research. Scientific research on domestic and sexual violence is needed now more than ever.

Findings from the research revealed that 75% of the women experiencing serious sexual violence “do not react” to the abuse, while around 40% of victims do not seek help. The club’s communications with non-governmental organizations in the industry also showed that women endure violence for a long time before they seek help, which is an average of three to four years.

To encourage victims to come forward, the club arranged three advertorials on 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. The posters will include statistics from their finding and information on three women’s helplines that will provide one-stop support, including advice on legal protection and emotional support and accompany the victim throughout the entire help-seeking process. The club released the ads on three big local media: South China Morning Post’s Facebook news, Ming Pao Daily and Sing Tao Daily.

The club strongly encourages victims to seek help. As societal values in Hong Kong are changing, family violence should be considered wrongdoings.

Zonta Club of Sydney Breakfast walks in orange at the Sydney Harbour Bridge

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The Zonta Club of Sydney Breakfast, Australia, walked across the Sydney Harbour Bridge wearing orange in recognition of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence. By raising awareness of this issue, they hope no woman or girl lives in fear of violence.

The club collaborated on the event with WanderSafe – Travel Safer, which aims to democratize safety for women and vulnerable people. It was a great day to share our message with members of the public!

Zonta Club of Houston creates 16 signs for the 16 Days of Activism

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To maximize the amount of exposure the Zonta Says NO campaign can generate and create a bigger impact, the Zonta Club of Houston, USA, made 16 signs for each day of the 16 Days of Activism, with a club member sponsoring one. A sign will be posted once a day with a quote or statistic about gender-based violence.

To see the signs, visit the club’s Facebook page.

Zonta Club of Vienna I adds Zonta Says NO ads in public transport

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With more than 2.6 million users daily, the Zonta Club of Vienna I, Austria, created Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women ads for all public transportation vehicles.

Every 15 minutes, the ad will pop up to tell the commuters a statistic about gender-based violence.

Visit this link to see the ads the club has created.

Zonta Club of Christchurch South hosts 20th annual Zonta Says NO Breakfast

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Last week, the Zonta Club of Christchurch South, New Zealand, held its 20th annual Zonta Says NO Breakfast.

Dressed in orange, club members welcomed their 100 guests, including special guests such as their city’s mayor, his wife and District Governor Phillippa Jacobs Lory. Some Avonside Girls’ High School Z Club members and the Rotary Sunshine Club supported the event.

The club sold raffles to fundraise and invited Celine Donovan to speak about domestic violence and how the community can respond.

Zonta Club of New Territories kicks off Zonta Says NO during their 40th club anniversary

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The Zonta Club of New Territories, Hong Kong, kicked off the Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women campaign at their 40th club anniversary celebration event.

Club members and guests gathered to show off their orange and raise awareness of gender-based violence.

Zonta e-Club of Roma Parioli shines a spotlight on Iranian women during the 16 Days of Activism

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The Zonta e-Club of Roma Parioli, Italy, kicked off the 16 Days of Activism with an art exhibition event to stand with the women in Iran. As thousands of Iranian women are risking their lives and taking to the streets to reclaim their rights, the club wanted to celebrate their courage and resilience. The exhibit will remain open for all 16 Days of Activism until 10 December.

The club invited experts such as Dr. Tiziana Ciavardini to speak during the event. Tiziana is an Italian cultural anthropologist and journalist who has lived more than 13 years in Iran – a country that she frequently denounces its anti-feminist regimes.

Many professional artists and beginners, who support the Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women campaign, donated their works to the exhibition. Two guests at the opening night were artist Pamela Squarta and Mahroo Hemati, a young Iranian artist.

Until the exhibit closes, guests are welcome to bid on any artwork, and all proceeds will be donated to Zonta International’s Foundation for Women. In addition to the exhibition, there is also a fundraising raffle.

Zonta Club of Bad Nauheim-Friedberg holds workshop to empower girls against online violence

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The Zonta Club of Bad Nauheim-Friedberg, Germany, organized a workshop to empower girls against online violence. This was the first time the club started this cooperation project. They were responsible for finding cooperation partners financing the project, organization, media work and the advertisement before the workshop.

The club was impressed that more than 40 young women and girls all over Germany took part. They also noticed how many people were interested in the topic and how many girls were affected.

The club believes that it is essential to address and communicate with young women at their level, which led to the workshop’s great success. They are considering holding the workshop again.

Zonta Club of Santa Clarita takes one word at a time to promote the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence

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Taking inspiration from the Zonta Says NO tool guide released in 2021, the Zonta Club of Santa Clarita Valley, USA, created a social media schedule for the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.

Each day of the 16 Days centers around an inspirational word, and some days had different words intertwined throughout the day. Check out the club’s word-savvy social media plan below.

Day 1: Envision
For the first day, the club chose the word “envision” to “envisioning a world without violence against women.”

Day 2: Knowledge
The club wanted to share facts about gender-based violence around the world, including what happens in their town and state. They also shared why 25 November is an important date and why there are 16 days to the 16 Days of Activism.

Day 3: Community
The club shared the story behind the book “In the Time of the Butterflies” by Julia Alvarez. The book is about the Mirabel sisters, which inspired the 16 Days of Activism.

Day 4: Orange
The club wore their orange shirts everywhere they went, and they had a photo shoot in front of one of the city’s library sculptures. The sculptures consisted of squares with words like Scrabble pieces, and the middle “I” is missing. They place their Zonta Says NO vertical banner in that empty spot.

Day 5: Service
The club’s Service Committee baked cookies and donated gift cards to Fostering Youth Independence, a local non-profit organization that assists foster children after they age out of the system.

Day 6: Allyship
For “Allyship,” the club shared photos of men that support their mission and what Zonta means to them.

Day 7: Student Engagement
The club was preparing to install a new Z Club, but it got rescheduled to 24 January. This will be their second Z Club.

Day 8: Advocate
Having so many students at the high school level who feel so passionate about Zonta and its missions help the club to advocate the need to share the importance of ending violence against women and girls. Education is the key.

Day 9: Outreach
The club received a proclamation from the city of Santa Clarity Valley.

Day 10: Awareness
In addition to the proclamation, the club got the city to display their Zonta Says NO banner on a paseo above a busy street to promote awareness. The banner was displayed throughout the 16 Days.

Day 11: Tribute
The club shared stories from survivors to advocate their mission.

Day 12: Listening
The club encouraged others to listen to the stories of survivors on its YouTube channel.

Day 13: Discussion
The club co-hosted a webinar with the Zonta Club of Burbank, USA, to discuss human trafficking.

Day 14: Remembrance
The club displayed their SCV Red Dress Project at several locations during the 16 Days. The original Red Dresses inspired the project, and they launched the SCV Red Dress Project in 2016. The project aims to advocate and share awareness of domestic violence within their community.

Day 15: Giving Tuesday
The club participated in Zonta International’s Giving Tuesday webinar and shared what they were doing for the 16 Days of Activism.

Day 16: Reflection
The club concluded the 16 Days with the word “reflection.” They showed a series of photos that reflect all their activities.

Zonta Club of Cebu II and Golden Z Club of USPF organize digital advocacy video competition

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To mark the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, the Zonta Club of Cebu II, Philippines, partnered with its student club, the Golden Z Club of the University of Southern Philippines (USPF), to organize a digital advocacy video competition.

The competition is divided into four categories:

  1. Poster-making.
  2. Animation videos.
  3. Storytelling.
  4. Literary Pieces.

For each category, the clubs asked the contestants to focus on topics such as violence against women, cyberbullying, cyber pornography, teenage pregnancy and the importance of literacy.

Due to COVID-19, the student club had to be creative with their Zonta Says NO activities. With the rise of digital apps, social media and mobile browsing amongst their peers, they decided to hold a contest to develop their classmates’ creativity, digital competence, communication, understanding and leadership skills.

The student club also sought to increase student educational research and explore and engage with women and girls’ issues. 

The judging panel was composed of members of the Zonta Club of Cebu II. The club donated cash prizes for the winners.