The Zonta Club of Jamestown, ND enlisted men in the community to stand with women during the Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women and the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence campaigns and challenged them to continue support beyond the 16 days.

The North Dakota club launched a program called “Stand With Us,” which was aimed at raising awareness of the importance of men intervening when they witness violence against women.

In partnership with the Jimmie Knight Society at the University of Jamestown, a table was set up for 16 days outside of the campus cafeteria. The Knights approached male students to discuss violence against women and focused much of the discussion specifically on the issue of violence against women on college campuses.

When they committed to intervening if they ever see a fellow student in danger of assault, the male students received a white ribbon.

Additionally, members of the Zonta club asked prominent male figures in the community to take a photo with a “Stand With Us” sign. The photos were then displayed at a local shopping mall.

Yard signs were also placed at the Zonta Park in Jamestown.

Members said the project was a simple way to spread the Zonta message and that by continuing to see people in the community wearing the white ribbons, they believe it was successful.

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Zonta Club of Hamm/Unna in Germany supported the Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women Campaign by illuminating local buildings orange during the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence.

Seven well-known public buildings located throughout the city of Unna were illuminated by an orange light on 25 November. Encouraged by the overwhelming response of the general public after last year’s activism, the Zonta Club of Hamm/Unna made a greater effort in this year’s campaign to convince local companies to participate.

During the event, Zontians distributed orange glow sticks to pedestrians and explained the campaign. Members said the solidarity displayed by the community was impressive.

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The Zonta Club of Iserlohn Area, District 29,  hosted a school project about violence against women and children during the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence.

The students presented a survey asking about places in the city women don’t feel comfortable in or where they have faced dangerous situations.

Club members said male students were very eager participants as well.

The club also encouraged people to write related poems for a poetry slam.

Cardboard cutouts of women showed community members the way to the poetry slam on 24 November.  Many politicians, community leaders and interested citizens came to support the club and mission.

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In support of the Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women campaign and during the 16 Days of Activism campaign, the Zonta Club of Hong Kong designated 9 December Service and Advocacy Day.

An event for the day was held at the Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui Lady MacLehose Centre and formed part of the club’s joint project with the centre, including the award-winning project “Action for Love and Community” and the “Love Yourself — Well-being Enhancement,” a women empowerment project for single-parent families. This project was created following the club’s survey on the wellness of low-income working women.

The event was well attended by over 100 participants including fellow Zontains wearing orange, beneficiaries sharing their experience, as well as social workers sharing the work they have undertaken in terms of raising awareness of violence against women.

The Zonta Club of Hong Kong is planning to host one or two new projects with the centre next year.

On the final day of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence campaign and as part of the Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women campaign, the Zonta Club of Saint Sofia, District 30, decorated a retro tram in orange balloons and Zonta Says NO banners and drove it around the streets of Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria.

The club paired with other local organizations and at each stop handed out orange balloons and pamphlets with information about ending violence against women.

Local news media covered the event.

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The Zonta Club of Rotorua was recognized as being a leading group advocating for women in their local community.

The Zonta Club of Rotorua was recognized as one of a group of local champions in New Zealand for their work to prevent violence against women.  The club members joined a number of other anti-violence organizations at an E Tū Whānau and White Ribbon Community Day event held in Rotorua on 25 November. E Tū Whānau is a social movement in New Zealand designed to encourage positive change.

Zonta Club of Rotorua, as well as the other groups being recognized, was welcomed onto the village green by Maori elders and given the opportunity to speak to the crowd about the work the club does.

Zonta Club of Rotorua President Karen Clark said it was a wonderful opportunity to highlight the Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women.

Clark said members also ran an information booth and handed out campaign bookmarks with contact numbers for local domestic violence services.

In November, club members rode their bicycles for 16 kilometers leading up to the 16 Days of Activism campaign. Sporting their bright orange Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women shirts, the members rode around Rotorua handing out campaign information to locals and tourists. Zonta members involved in the cycling event also joined in the recognition ceremony. 

Members of the Zonta Club of Rotorua pose during an event to ride 16 kilometers in support of the 16 Days of Activism and the Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women campaign.