awareness

In the news: Zonta Club of Cheektowaga-Lancaster raises awareness to end child marriages

Zonta International 1 Comment

For the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, the Zonta Club of Cheektowaga-Lancaster, USA, District 4, is raising awareness of child marriage.

This year, the Zonta club will continue with some traditional projects, as well as incorporating new ways to advocate for women’s rights.

Throughout the 16 Days of Activism, club members read A Good Wife by Samra Zafar, an autobiography of Zafar’s own experience with an arranged marriage at a young age and the challenges and opposition she faced to overcome them and live the life she wanted.

Upon reading the book, many members were surprised to learn how drastically child marriage will affect the bride’s life and limit her control. It helped inspire many members to want to help, conjuring powerful emotions as they read about Zafar’s experience.

The Zonta club initiated a letter-writing campaign to discuss the importance of education in a child’s opportunity for economic independence. At the end of November, club members wrote and sent letters to Sen. Charles E. Schumer, asking him to support one piece of legislation, the Protecting Children Through Eliminating Visa Loophole Act S.742 and to co-sponsor S.1071 and the Keeping Girls in School Act.

Continue reading.

In the news: Zonta Club of New Providence leads the charge to end violence against women in The Bahamas

Zonta International Leave a comment

For the past seven years, Zonta Bahamas has been at the forefront of activism to end violence against women and girls. Zontians have been out there in the community, on public and corporate platforms, bringing awareness and encouraging Bahamians to change the face of violence in this country.

This year, they were at it again, launching the 16 days with a big event in Rawson Square held in conjunction with the Department of Gender and Family Affairs, the Ministry of Health and NGOs. The launch was held on 25 November, the International Day to End Violence Against Women and Girls. The 16 days officially ends on 10 December, which is the United Nations’ appointed International Human Rights Day.

The club’s theme for this year is “From Activism to Advocacy.” One of Zonta’s partners for the 16 days this year, the National Congress of Trade Unions’ Women’s Association, is pushing for the Bahamas government to ratify C-190 – the International Labour Organisation’s Convention to end violence and harassment in the workplace.

It takes a lot of work to pull off the many events Zonta holds – and it’s all volunteer work. Kayla calls it a passion of hers and despite her busy professional life, she will continue to work hard for causes for the betterment of women and girls.

Continue reading.

In the News: Zonta Club of Prowers County observes human rights proclamation

Zonta International Leave a comment

As part of the Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women campaign, the Zonta Club of Prowers County, District 12, worked with the city of Lamar, Colorado to issue a proclamation. The proclamation declared the days between 25 November and 10 December as the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence.

Club members are also raising awareness of the issue of violence against women around their community by distributing posters and banners to local businesses.

Read more about the club’s actions here.

Zonta Club of Lebanon says NO during the 16 Days of Activism in two ways

Zonta International Leave a comment

The Zonta Club of Lebanon in Indiana, District 6, is participating in the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence in two ways this year. The first is by displaying orange pinwheels, the domestic violence hotline phone number, and the “Zonta Says NO” slogan and Zonta Club of Lebanon logo on the Boone County Courthouse lawn during the 16 days, bringing attention to both the club and to the Zonta Says NO campaign.

ZC of Lebanon_2Club members also participated in a photo shoot during the September meeting, each member holding a placard with a statistic relating to gender violence, violence against women, FGM, and/or child marriage.  These photos are being released and shared to Zonta Club of Lebanon’s Facebook page each day over the 16 days.

In the News: Zonta Club of Melbourne asks local businesses to use orange lights

Zonta International Leave a comment

As part of their advocacy efforts during the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, the Zonta Club of Melbourne in Florida, District 11, is asking area businesses to stand with Zonta and say NO to violence against women.

The club is asking business owners to light up their storefronts in orange light.

Read more about their efforts here.

Zonta Club of Punta del Este-Maldonado continues with annual poster campaign

Zonta International Leave a comment

As a continuation of the campaign launched last year on 25 November, the Zonta Club of Punta del Este-Maldonado, Region South America, made a new poster with the message  “Real Men Only Rise Their Voices To Defend Women.”

This year, the club had the support of the fire department in the city, whose members wanted to join in taking part in the Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women campaign.

The campaign is going to be shown in TV, written up in media reports and talked about on local radio programs over the course of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence.

In the News: Zonta Club of Sault Ste. Marie Area recognizes 16 Days with library display

Zonta International Leave a comment

To raise awareness for the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, the Zonta Club of Sault Ste. Marie Area, District 15, installed a display in a local library.

The display includes pairs of shoes, representing women who died as a result of violence in the last year.

Read more about the club’s action here.

In the News: New Will County courthouse construction site to light up orange

Zonta International Leave a comment

The Zonta Club of Joliet Area, District 6, is drawing attention from their community in two different ways during the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence.

On 25 November, club members will shine orange lights on the Will County courthouse. Additionally, throughout the 16 days, members will post signs throughout town with the Zonta Says NO message.

Read more about the clubs actions here.

Zonta Club of Swan Hills Inc joins Midland March That Matters 2019

Zonta International Leave a comment

Each November, representatives from the Zonta Club of Swan Hills Inc, District 23, join the annual Midland March That Matters to protest against violence against women.

The photo shows, from left, veteran Zontians Barbara Goulden, Ruth Thomas, Elaine Newman and friend of Zonta Vicki Thomas helping to lead the way.

Zonta Club of Meaux Et Region hosts night walk ahead of 16 Days of Activism

Zonta International Leave a comment

ZC of Meaux Et Region_1

On 13 November in the little city of Meaux in France, more than 500 people gathered for a night walk as part of the Zonta Says NO campaign.

The Zonta Club of Meaux Et Region, District 29, was thankful to the City for participating in the walk and helping to raise awareness of the problem of violence against women.