Two mid-Missouri groups are partnering up to advocate against violence for the next 16 days.
The Missouri Capitol Police and the Zonta Club of Jefferson City joined the Zonta International campaign to raise awareness of violence against women.
Over the course of Zonta’s next 16 Days of Activism, local officers will join in promoting the theme “Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women.”
According to a press release, one in three women around the world have been subjected to physical or intimate partner violence, non-partner sexual violence or both at least once in their lives.
That’s approximately 736 million women globally.
Police acknowledged that not only does this cause significant emotional and physical damage to the women and girls affected, but also their families, communities and countries.
On November 25th, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, Leipzig, at the initiative of the ZONTA Club Leipzig Elster, the ZONTA Club Leipzig, and the Soroptimist International Club Leipzig, is participating once again in the UN campaign Orange the World. Citizens, businesses, institutions of the City of Leipzig and other organizations, associations, and many more are actively advocating for an end to violence against women and girls.
Various campaigns are being used to draw attention to this distressing issue:
Buildings illuminated in orange
digital city light poster in Leipzig city center
Spots and images from several companies
Window display installation at the entrance to the Breuninger department store
Addressing the topic with ads and images on social media
The patron of these and other actions is the mayor and deputy mayor for social affairs, health and diversity, Dr. Martina Münch.
Furthermore, we call for a large demonstration on November 25, 2025:
Our grief turns to anger – fight and defend yourselves!
Start: 3:00 PM Johannisplatz
Stopovers: Augustusplatz, Dittrichring near St. Thomas Church
End: 5:30 p.m. at the small Willy Brandt Square with memorial for femicide victims
Germany has a violence problem.
Violence against women and girls is a human rights violation that occurs in all regions of the world and in all areas of society – unfortunately, also in Germany. Gender-based violence ranges from everyday sexism to femicide. Most perpetrators are close to the women and girls they are targeting: intimate partner violence is the most common form of violence and includes physical, sexual, emotional, economic, and psychological violence.
Almost every day in Germany, a woman is killed by her (ex-)partner.
35 percent of all women experience physical, psychological and/or sexual violence at least once in their lives.
The Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) registered 265,942 cases of domestic violence in 2024 – more than ever before. 73 percent of the victims were women.
A media report analysis for 2024 identifies 171,100 cases of domestic violence – an increase of 1.9 percent compared to the previous year. 80 percent of the victims were women. (Source: Women’s Shelter Coordination Association)
This means that every four minutes a woman in Germany experiences violence at the hands of her partner or ex-partner.
63 percent of politically active women in Germany report experiencing digital violence.
Gender-based violence has long since permeated all areas of society – even democratic debate. According to a recent study by HateAid gGmbH and the Technical University of Munich, 63 percent of politically active women in Germany have already experienced digital violence – for example, in the form of insults, sexualized threats, or targeted hate campaigns.
The economic consequences are massive: According to the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE), gender-based violence in the EU costs around €366 billion annually, with approximately 80 percent of this attributable to violence against women. For Germany, this equates to damages exceeding €45 billion annually – through healthcare costs, absenteeism, and lost productivity. Violence against women is therefore not only a human rights violation but also a risk to the country’s economic stability and future societal viability.
What is needed is a comprehensive political strategy and equality at all levels.
UN Women Germany, with its Orange The World campaign, is calling for everyone to finally take joint action to sustainably end violence against women.
NOW! Implementation of the Istanbul Convention!
The Istanbul Convention must be fully, consistently, and swiftly implemented to protect all women and girls from gender-based violence and ensure their access to support systems. Far too little has been done so far! Survivors’ initiatives and women’s organizations are sounding the alarm. Where is the law on providing assistance to women and girls who have experienced violence? What about the attitudes and commitment of men?
Violence against women is still downplayed as a marginal phenomenon, with serious consequences for society as a whole. Victims and staff at support and counseling centers feel abandoned. Due to the close relationship between perpetrators and victims, a high number of unreported cases is also expected. “The number of cases is rising every year and is alarmingly high.”
“Enough is enough!” say the members of the two Leipzig Zonta Clubs and the Soroptimist International Club Leipzig. With Zonta International and Soroptimist International, thousands of women worldwide are committed to stopping this violence and finally granting all women the human right to a self-determined, healthy, and violence-free life.
NOW! Take a stand against violence against women and girls in your everyday life!
As part of the global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign, the Zonta Club of Kaua‘i, USA, is proud to partner with the Children’s Justice Center of Kaua‘i to support their vital work in serving children who have experienced violence, abuse or trauma. This was Zonta Club of Kauai and Zonta Club of Hanalei’s service project combined with the 16 Days of Activism for 2025.
Zonta Club of Kauai member Eliza Kobayashi, donated her personal collection of plush animals to the Children’s Justice Center for children ages 3 to 17.
The Zonta Club of Linköping, Sweden, participated in a torch train in cooperation with other organizations to raise awareness of women’s rights and advocate against gender-based violence. The event was held on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, and included a speech from the governor of Östergötland.
On the same day, the city library hosted an exhibition addressing violence against women. Zonta representatives provided literature on the issue and displayed a Christmas tree decorated with orange ornaments, each symbolizing a reported case of violence within the community. Organizers noted that not all cases could be represented due to limited space.
The Zonta Club of Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, launched its Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women campaign at the busy Max Mall and Grand Plaza shopping centers in Ulaanbaatar. The club displayed the Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women slogan and began collecting signatures in support of the campaign against violence toward girls and women. They also started a fundraising initiative for young girls and children affected by violence who are receiving services at the National Center Against Violence of Mongolia.
Starting Tuesday, Zonta Club of Wyoming Bighorns will join the international organization’s more than 1,100 clubs for a campaign to raise awareness of violence against women.
Zonta International was first founded as an organization more than a century ago, aiming to improve living conditions for women and girls. Now, it has more than 1,100 clubs in 64 countries.
Zonta began participating in an international campaign, 16 Days of Activism, with its own version, Zonta says NO to Violence Against Women Days, in 2012. Local Zonta Service Projects Chair Yvonne Gatley said this is the second year the local club is participating in the campaign.
“The whole idea is to spread the awareness, the communication, of the predominance of violence against women throughout the world,” Gatley said.
Gatley said Sheridan is no exception from that predominance, adding the local group works to connect survivors to resources in the community, like the Advocacy and Resource Center. From Sept. 1, 2024, through September this year, Advocacy and Resource Center Executive Director Yvonne Swanson said the center assisted 456 people in Sheridan, 357 of whom were female.
The local Zonta club has worked to grow its own campaign. Last year, members wrapped a tree in orange ribbons — which Gatley said signals support and resilience — ran a public service announcement on radio stations and placed ads in the Country Bounty, a weekly shopper each Sheridanite receives in their mailbox. This year, it has kept each of those and is adding social media posts for each day of the campaign, delivering coasters to bars and putting 12 small, orange, 3D printed ladies with information cards in downtown businesses.
Among those businesses is Verdello. Owner Jenny Boedecker said she still needs to find the perfect location for the 3D printed orange lady.
“(It is) obviously a great cause that we all should be behind and supporting,” Boedecker said. “We all have a mother, a sister, a daughter, somebody in our life that’s a female and probably more likely than not known someone that’s been affected by abuse at some point.”
Sheridan Mayor Rich Bridger signed a proclamation earlier this week, declaring Nov. 25 to Dec. 10 as the 16 Days of Activism and as Zonta says NO to Violence Against Women Days.
Sheridanites who may want to get involved in the campaign or with Zonta should email zontawyomingbighorns@gmail.com or see the organization’s Facebook page. Gatley said the organization is largely aimed toward women, but men are also encouraged to participate.
The Zonta Club of Tainan, Taiwan, hosted a community program to support elder residents in rural areas by promoting safe cooking, healthy eating and nonviolent communication.
In many parts of Taiwan, older adults living alone or in rural communities face increased risks related to safety, nutrition and social isolation. To address these concerns, Zontians organized an educational workshop focused on practical skills to help seniors protect their well-being.
Zonta Club of Kauai, USA, and Zonta Club of Hanalei, USA, members, Kauai County Council members, community agencies and supporters came together for Mayor Derek Kawakami’s message and reading of the 16 Days of Activism Proclamation at the Kauai County Rotunda. The club advocacy chair and co-chair presented “10 Things men can do against gender-based violence.”
Zonta District 17 Area 5 officially opened the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence on 25 November at the AIM Conference Center, Makati City.
Area 5 Director Susan Lim delivered the welcome remarks, calling on Zontians and partners to continue championing women’s rights and supporting survivors. This was followed by the Acknowledgment of Dignitaries by Vice Area 5 Director Eleanor Soriano, who highlighted the importance of inter-club unity in sustaining the advocacy.
A major highlight of the kickoff was an in-depth forum facilitated by Dr. Gayle Antes, Co-Founder of Eunoia Philippines. Expert panelists shared critical insights on the link between mental health challenges and domestic violence. Speakers included: Dr. Gail Galang, Chairperson, Department of Psychology, Miriam College Dr. Shyne Mangulabnan, Co-Founder, Eunoia Philippines Anamabel Ugarte Garcia and Women’s Crisis Center Attorney Arleen T. Reyes, Assistant Solicitor General. The panel underscored the urgent need for stronger support systems, trauma-informed care and continued advocacy to protect vulnerable women and children.
The audience was also treated to a compelling intermission performance by Ballet Philippines.
Participants took part in the Pledge of Unity with Like-Minded Organizations, reinforcing the message: “Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women and Children.” This was followed by a Candle Lighting Ceremony, an emotional moment signifying hope and collective responsibility to illuminate the fight against gender-based violence.
Zonta Club of Makati and Environs, Philippines, Club President Joanne Zapanta-Andrada closed the event with a message of gratitude and a call for sustained involvement throughout the 16-day campaign. She reminded everyone that Zontians must continue to be powerful voices and compassionate advocates for women’s safety, dignity and empowerment.
The Zonta Club of Isabela, Philippines, marked Day three of its November activities with the official launch of Zonta Kabuhayan: Empowering Sustainable Livelihood in San Mariano Isabela, a long-term initiative aimed at advancing economic independence and stability for women.
Held on 27 November, the launch centered on a focused food processing training for unemployed women, conducted at the Camberwell Technical Educational Training and Assessment Center in Zone 3. The program’s inaugural activity represents a key partnership with Camberwell Technical Education Training and Assessment Center, Inc., highlighting the value of skills development as a pathway to sustainable livelihood.
The Zonta Kabuhayan project reflects the club’s commitment to translating advocacy into practical, community-based solutions. By prioritizing economic empowerment, the initiative recognizes that financial independence strengthens overall well-being and enhances personal safety, especially for women facing barriers to opportunity.
Participants and stakeholders expressed strong enthusiasm throughout the event, which underscored months of careful planning, coordination and outreach. The club also extended special recognition to its newly formed Business & Entrepreneurship Committee, whose leadership and operational planning were central to the program’s successful launch.
Club leaders noted that this initiative marks only the beginning of a broader, long-term commitment to helping women build skills, strengthen confidence and grow their own enterprises. As Zonta Kabuhayan moves into its active implementation phase, the organization looks forward to expanding its livelihood programs and fostering sustainable economic growth within the community.
Join us in saying NO 