The Zonta Club of Rome I, Italy, together with the Zonta e-club Roma Parioli hosted a conference to raise awareness about one of the most hidden and underreported forms of gender-based violence: abuse against women with disabilities.
Speakers emphasized that violence against women with disabilities is often harder to recognize, report and prosecute. Survivors may face barriers to communication, lack of accessibility or disbelief when they share their experiences, making them particularly vulnerable and isolated.
The event featured a powerful discussion led by Valeria Alpi, author of “La voce a te dovuta,” which documents testimonies of abuse shared directly by women with disabilities, and Simona Lancioni, a journalist long committed to amplifying disability rights and visibility. Their insights helped bring lived experiences to the forefront and challenged harmful stereotypes that contribute to silence and impunity.
On 25 November 2025, the Zonta Club of Amherst Area, Canada, led a community-wide advocacy effort as the Town of Amherst officially proclaimed Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women Day, marked by a flag-raising ceremony.
The event was part of the global Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women and UNiTE campaigns and focused on raising awareness of violence against women and girls, including both offline and online forms of abuse. In advance of the day, the club implemented a strategic communications campaign, issuing press releases to local and regional media outlets and extending invitations to elected officials and community partners. Coverage included publication in local and regional newspapers and a radio interview with club president Lisa Emery.
Mayor Robert Small, town councillors, representatives from Lilac Place for Women, Anchor Youth Space, the Amherst Police Department and Zontians gathered at the community flagpoles for the ceremony. Mayor Small read the official proclamation declaring 25 November 2025 as Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women Day, followed by remarks from Emery, who reinforced the campaign’s call for awareness, prevention and collective responsibility. The Zonta International flag was then raised, and orange Zonta Says NO ribbons were distributed to attendees.
Following the event, the Town of Amherst shared the proclamation, photos and a summary of the ceremony through its website and social media channels. The Zonta Club of Amherst Area also sent formal correspondence to the federal Minister of Women and Gender Equality and the Premier of Nova Scotia—copied to local Members of Parliament and the Legislative Assembly—urging strengthened legislative and policy responses to digital violence against women and girls.
Throughout the 16 Days of Activism, the club amplified advocacy messages through daily social media posts supporting Zonta Says NO and the UNiTE 2025 campaign. Community partners expressed appreciation for the club’s outreach and emphasized the importance of coordinated action rather than working in isolation.
The campaign holds particular urgency in Nova Scotia, where domestic violence was declared a provincial epidemic in September 2024. Since 2019, demand for women’s shelter services has increased by 182%, with approximately 4,800 women and children accessing support last year. The province also reports one of Canada’s highest rates of youth cyber violence, while the Amherst area lies along a known human trafficking corridor, underscoring the need for sustained, visible and informed advocacy.
On 15 November, the Zonta Club I of Colombo, Sri Lanka, held a fitness fundraiser, “Walk for Dignity! End Period Poverty,” to raise awareness and funds for menstrual health and hygiene. The walk supported the BleedGood program of the Selyn Foundation, which promotes access to eco-friendly, reusable menstrual products and sustainable practices for women and girls across Sri Lanka.
The initiative highlighted the scale of period poverty in the country, where an estimated 40–60% of women and girls lack adequate menstrual products, households spend about 3.5% of monthly income on menstrual needs, and nearly 60% of girls miss school during menstruation. Approximately 963 million single-use menstrual products are discarded annually, underscoring the environmental impact.
More than 95 women and men participated, with support from corporate partners and print, radio and digital media sponsors. Funds raised will support community workshops, the distribution of reusable menstrual solutions and continued advocacy to address stigma and discrimination linked to menstruation.
Don’t hide behind screens! Stand against abuse!
In parallel, the club focused its 16 Days advocacy on technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV), using daily social media posts and a video campaign aired on a central-city billboard for 30 days, 100 times daily.
The campaign educated the public on forms of TFGBV, including online harassment, cyberstalking, image-based sexual abuse, doxxing and hate speech, emphasizing that online violence is a serious extension of gender-based violence. The initiative highlighted how digital abuse disproportionately affects women and girls in Sri Lanka and globally, limiting participation, silencing voices and increasing vulnerability.
The Zonta Club of Ashtabula Area, USA, was honored by receiving Resolution No. 2025-210, from the Ashtabula City Council on 15 December.
Councilwoman Jodi Mills introduced Zonta, while Councilwoman Jane Digiacomo read the resolution, highlighting Zonta’s efforts to inform residents about the prevalence of domestic violence and the resources available for survivors, stating “…during the 16 Days of Activism Campaign and its dedication to advocacy, education and community engagement to advance the safety and well-being of all individuals within our community.”
Zonta clubs across Latvia organized a series of initiatives to combat gender-based violence.
The Zonta Club of Valmiera, Latvia, launched a book exhibition at the Valmiera Integrated Library titled “Scars. Visible and Invisible.” Featuring modern literature, the exhibition highlighted hidden forms of violence and encouraged public dialogue about abuse often kept silent. The collection included accounts of domestic violence in Latvia from women’s and teenagers’ perspectives, stories of African women facing forced marriage, and works addressing child exploitation, toxic adolescent relationships and systemic abuse in Egypt.
The Zonta Club of Riga marked the 16 Days of Activism with activities at the NGO House and the Riga Central Library Branch, combining public outreach with daily inspirational stories shared on Facebook.
Meanwhile, the Zonta Club of Ogre, Zonta e-Club of Latvia and Zonta Club of Jelgava strengthened digital engagement by posting daily slogans and stories on social media, emphasizing that violence is often a local issue and encouraging individuals to build awareness and resilience.
During the holiday season, the Zonta Club of Montgomery, AL, USA, visited a mother and her son who were new to the Sunshine Center and had recently escaped a violent situation. The members provided support, comfort and gifts to the small family.
On 7 December, the Zonta Club of Nara, Japan, brought the Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women campaign to Rohto Arena during a B.LEAGUE professional men’s basketball game, reaching nearly 2,000 spectators.
The campaign was made possible through the strong support of the team’s male president and players, demonstrating the importance of male allyship in ending gender-based violence. With the arena nearly at capacity, a large “Zonta Says NO” banner was displayed on the main screen, drawing attention to the global movement.
In collaboration with the Bambitious Nara team, Zontians encouraged fans to learn about the reality of violence against women and invited the audience to join in saying “NO to violence against women.” Supporters from the opposing team, many of whom traveled from other prefectures, also carried the message back to their home communities, extending the campaign’s reach beyond Nara.
Young attendees shared that the campaign was their first exposure to the issue, with several expressing a desire to raise awareness among their peers. Through this high-visibility initiative, the Zonta Club of Nara amplified advocacy in an unexpected public space, reinforcing the belief that ending violence requires collective action across communities.
During the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, the Zonta Club of Bjäre, Sweden, raised awareness by creating a window display featuring orange shoes, umbrellas and Zonta posters to spark public conversation around ending violence against women.
On 25 November, the club hosted Ukrainian Zontian Diana Kaynts, who shared her personal experiences of living in Ukraine during the war and highlighted Zonta’s support for those affected by conflict and loss. The program also featured Dr. Bengt Sturesson, a local physician and orthopedic surgeon, who spoke about his long-standing support for a hospital in Ukraine, including efforts to help build a new facility in 2015.
Community engagement continued with a “Buy One Extra” initiative encouraging residents to purchase additional items for a local women’s shelter, resulting in strong public participation. The club concluded the campaign at the local Christmas market with a raffle featuring handmade prizes by Zontians, reinforcing solidarity, generosity and sustained advocacy.
Community members came together for the second year of the Zonta Says NO – Orange the World Run, transforming an early-morning run into a collective stand against violence toward women and children.
Participants rose before sunrise to take part not only in a fitness activity but in a visible act of advocacy. The fun run became a living expression of the global Zonta Says NO campaign, turning movement into momentum and awareness into action.
Held during the 16 Days of Activism to End Violence Against Women and Children, the event reinforced the message that lasting change is possible when communities unite. Zontians, volunteers and supporters worked together to amplify calls for safer, more inclusive spaces where women and children are protected, valued and empowered.
Great thanks go out to Zontians whose leadership and unwavering support contributed to the success and significance of the event: Area Director Susan Lim, Vice Area Director Beging Soriano, District 17 Golden Z and Z Club Committee Chair Lourdes Sese, PR Jenniffer Tipton Angeles, President Atty. Jeamie Salvatierra, President Emmy Garon, President Vivien Carmona, PE Gina Angangco, PP Moleen Del Rosario, Fiscal Maika Malamug, Lav Chipeco, Dr. Mhie Borabien, Dr. Mini Feranco, Gigi Manabat, April Arevalo, MM Ambayec, Sarah Arellado, and Sam de Matta.
Heartfelt appreciation also goes to partners and sponsors who stood with us and helped amplify advocacy: Zonta Club of Laguna, Zonta International, Zonta E-Club of Metro Laguna and Environs, Zonta Club of Metro Ortigas, Zonta Club of Makati and Environs, Zonta Club of Makati–Paseo De Roxas Foundation Inc., Southwoods Mall, Southwoods City, Tatak Gel, Ospital ng Biñan, GAD Biñan, JCI Damas, Z Club of Laguna, Golden Z Club of SMCL, Z Club of SMCL, Saint Michael’s College of Laguna, Dito Telecommunications, Yakult, BLK 513, Mr. Pullman, Kasile Hills, and Bouyant Industrial Systems Inc.
The Zonta Club of Melbourne’s West Inc., Australia, strengthened local advocacy efforts during the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence by joining a community working group focused on sustained action beyond the annual campaign.
The 16 Days of Activism Working Group—comprising local service providers and a representative from Zonta Club of Melbourne’s West Inc—identified the growing need for continuous advocacy to support victim-survivors and frontline services year-round. As a result, the group successfully engaged the Mayor and Councillors of Hobsons Bay in a round-table discussion, where participants outlined the increasing demand for appropriate, well-resourced support services in the community.
Although not in service provision, the Zonta Club of Melbourne’s West Inc contributed its advocacy expertise and project experience to the discussion, underscoring the value of civil-society leadership in shaping policy responses. The working group’s next step is to document emerging and less visible forms of gender-based violence—including coercive control, gambling-related harm, housing insecurity and financial abuse—to encourage Council to prioritise prevention and support measures in future planning.
To further elevate local concerns, the working group and Council jointly sent a letter to Members of Parliament highlighting the specific challenges facing the Hobsons Bay community.
Join us in saying NO 