Although screens may separate members geographically, their hearts and shared commitment remain closely connected.

Zonta Taiwan E-Club and Zonta Taiwan Dream E-Club, Taiwan, recently held a joint monthly meeting online, bringing members together in solidarity. United by a common purpose, participants raised their hands in a gesture of support for the safety, dignity and equal rights of women and girls.

Each raised hand represented more than a declaration against violence. It carried a willingness to listen, offer support and stand alongside those in need, reflecting the clubs’ belief that every woman deserves to live free from fear and violence.

The clubs emphasized that ending gender-based violence begins with everyday choices:

• Recognize controlling behavior, humiliation and emotional abuse.
• Respect personal boundaries.
• Support survivors without blame, offering compassion, understanding and encouragement to those seeking help.

Beyond their online meeting, members demonstrated that Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women can reach every corner of Taiwan. They brought their advocacy to Tainan Railway Station, the historic Eternal Golden Castle in Tainan, a bodybuilding competition in Taoyuan, their workplaces, night markets in Hualien and Chulu Ranch in Taitung.

Wherever people gather, there is an opportunity to raise awareness. By sharing their message with family, friends, colleagues and community members, the clubs aim to make care, respect and protection part of everyday life. These grassroots efforts connect global advocacy with local communities and encourage lasting change.

Through their shared mission, the clubs continue to transcend geographical boundaries, turning compassion into everyday action and working toward a world where respect, dignity and safety are fundamental rights for every woman and girl.

On 22 October, the Zonta Club of Cagayan de Oro I, the Zonta Club of Cagayan de Oro II and the Zonta Club of Metro Cagayan de Oro & Environs, Philippines, joined forces for Fun Walk and Zumba for a Cause. The event marked the launch of the clubs’ 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign and supported their advocacy and service project addressing violence against women and children.

The event drew 96 participants, including 25 Zontians, who walked and danced to raise awareness of gender-based violence. Through the event, the three clubs reaffirmed their shared commitment to building a safer community for women and children.

Following the recent media report and allegations of sexual abuse of some female students at the Obuasi Senior High Technical School in the Ashanti Region, the Zonta Clubs of Ghana have called on the Ministry of Education to protect girls and hold sexual abusers accountable.

Zonta in a press statement indicated that the sexual abuse of girls — minors entrusted to the care of schools — by some male teachers and headteachers is a “grave betrayal of trust, authority, and the fundamental duty of care.”

Read the full feature here.

On 5 September, members of the Zonta Club of Makati Legaspi, Philippines, spent an afternoon with girls at the Laura Vicuña Foundation for a special art session. What began as an opportunity to learn painting became an afternoon of creativity, hope and new discoveries.

For many of the girls, it was their first time painting. Some were unsure at the beginning, saying they had never painted before and did not know if they could do it. With encouragement from the art teachers, they followed a demonstration step by step. By the end of the session, they had created paintings of their own and were pleasantly surprised by the results.

The beach-themed paintings prompted the girls to share dreams of visiting Boracay and traveling around the world, imagining places they hoped to visit and experiences they looked forward to having.

The visit also gave members an opportunity to learn about the foundation’s work through conversations with the sisters. Established in 1990, the Laura Vicuña Foundation supports children in need of special protection, including girls who have experienced or are at risk of abuse, trafficking and exploitation. Through its Journey of Hope program, the foundation helps children regain confidence and develop skills to build better futures.

The girls prepared special song and dance performances for the visitors, moving some members to tears. The afternoon continued with merienda, conversations and the distribution of small gifts.

The visit reflected the club’s support for Zonta International’s priority of ending violence against women and girls. Beyond protection from abuse and exploitation, the activity encouraged girls to recognize their worth, build confidence and explore opportunities to learn and grow.

Members hoped the girls would keep their paintings as reminders that they can learn new things, discover unexpected abilities and continue to dream about their futures. For the club, the visit was a simple but meaningful opportunity to connect with the girls and support the foundation’s work.

The Zonta Club of Parker County, USA, appeared before the Parker County Commissioners’ Court to request approval for a special display at the County Courthouse Annex during Zonta International’s 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence on 25 November to 10 December.

The Commissioners’ Court unanimously approved the request, supporting the club’s efforts to raise awareness of domestic violence in Parker County.

The display will feature shoes symbolizing local domestic violence cases, orange ribbons representing the campaign to end violence against women, and signs highlighting Zonta’s work to build a better world for women and girls. Through this display, the club hopes to spark conversations, increase awareness, and encourage community action to end gender-based violence.

Club members attended the meeting wearing Zonta Orange are (left to right) Donna Couch, Belinda Dickard, Vicky Palmer, Tanya Hodges and Kim Mendolia.

The Zonta e-Club of Taiwan created “Take Off the Mask,” a free, bilingual online game designed to raise awareness of hidden forms of abuse ahead of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.

The game uses Halloween monsters to represent abuse that can hide behind love, including a vampire symbolizing emotional manipulation, a ghost representing the silent treatment, a werewolf depicting verbal abuse, a mummy illustrating control and isolation, and a hidden mirror representing digital abuse.

Players can break each mask with three taps or by shaking their heads “no,” revealing a pledge, three warning signs and resources for seeking help.

Designed for all ages, from teenagers to grandparents, the game features large text, local helplines and easy sharing through LINE, WhatsApp and QR codes. Sister clubs abroad also joined a global relay to expand the campaign’s reach.

In Taiwan, where relationship abuse is often treated as a private family matter, the initiative encourages open conversations across generations. By helping women and girls recognize forms of abuse that do not always leave physical marks, the club hopes to empower them to seek help and live free from fear.

Each shared pledge includes #ZontaSaysNO, bringing Zonta’s advocacy to new audiences and reinforcing its mission to build a better world for women and girls.

Visit the site here.

The Zonta Club Osnabrück Westfälischer Friede, Germany, funded a school workshop, “Violence Is Not an Option,” at the Westerberg Vocational School, encouraging students to examine what constitutes violence and how it can be prevented.

Moderated by coach and Zonta member Debbie Stoll, the project brought together 11th-grade students from the school’s social pedagogy program to explore questions such as: When does a joke become violence? Why do people become violent? How can individuals respond to violence?

Students, primarily ages 17 to 20, discussed their experiences and perceptions of violence at school and considered possible strategies for addressing it. They then created posters and interactive activities to encourage their peers to reflect on the issue.

On the second day of the project, participants shared what they had learned with students from a parallel class. Through five workshops, they presented their discussions and reflections in their own words and encouraged their classmates to continue the conversation.

Students explored both physical and psychological violence, noting that while physical violence may be easier to recognize, psychological violence can take forms such as social exclusion, discrimination, bullying and other harmful behavior, including behavior carried out through mobile phones and digital platforms.

The discussions also highlighted how perceptions can differ. What one person considers a joke may already cross a boundary for another. Students considered possible causes of violence and discussed how empathy, listening and open dialogue can help prevent conflicts from escalating.

Participants also explored strategies for managing conflict, including seeking dialogue with the support of a neutral person when necessary and identifying healthy ways to manage emotions and stress.

The project received positive feedback, with participants expressing interest in continuing it during the new school year. Detective Chief Inspector Melanie Stolze and an intern from the prevention team of the Osnabrück Police Inspectorate attended as observers and are considering adapting the project for police trainees.

On 28 August, the Zonta Club of Dhaka IV, Bangladesh, collaborated with the BUET Artista Society “Charcoal” to host an art camp themed “Safe Spaces” in the capital.

The joint initiative sought to amplify Zonta’s mission of building a better world for women and girls through visual storytelling. Designed to challenge societal norms, the camp provided a platform for young artists to raise public awareness and advocate against violence targeting women.

Through thought-provoking artwork depicting shelter, liberation and collective healing, participants highlighted the need to create safe spaces and a society where women and girls can live free from fear and violence.

The Zonta Club of Dhaka III, Bangladesh, launched Nirvoy Nari, a nine-month initiative focused on protecting adolescent girls from sexual harassment and abuse and empowering them to understand and exercise their rights.

The project officially launched on 19 August at Safura Khatun Pilot Girls High School in Siddhirganj in partnership with Survivors Path Foundation. The club signed memorandums of understanding with the school and foundation to support the initiative.

Nirvoy Nari aims to raise awareness of girls’ rights, strengthen their confidence and create a safe, respectful and supportive environment where they can live and learn without fear.

Over nine months, approximately 200 students will participate in awareness workshops, educational sessions and training programs. Participants will learn to recognize unsafe situations, respond to harassment or injustice, seek help and support others.

The launch was chaired by Zonta Club of Dhaka III President Nasreen Khan and attended by club members, community leaders and partners.

“A woman will not live in fear. A woman will not live with her head down. A woman will not live without knowing her rights,” Khan said. “And from that belief, today begins our nine-month journey — Nirvoy Nari.”

Through the project, the club seeks to transform awareness into action and empower girls to speak up for their rights, helping create a future where every girl can grow, learn and dream with safety and dignity.

During the 2025 16 Days of Activism to End Gender-Based Violence, the Zonta Club of Central Goldfields Inc, Australia, launched an awareness campaign centered on the message “R for Respect.” Local cafes, government offices and private organizations received takeaway coffee cups featuring messages designed to encourage conversations about respect and healthy relationships.

Through the campaign, the club sought to challenge harmful attitudes, encourage open dialogue and help build a more informed and supportive community. By placing advocacy messages on an everyday item, members were able to bring conversations about preventing gender-based violence into community spaces.

The project was made possible through the support of Community Bank Avoca, Maryborough and St Arnaud Bendigo Bank.

Following the campaign’s success, the club has shared information about the initiative with other Zonta clubs in District 23 interested in bringing the “R for Respect” message to their own communities.

The Zonta Club of Central Goldfields plans to continue the campaign during the 2026 16 Days of Activism, building on its efforts to promote respect and encourage community action to end gender-based violence.