St. Michael’s College of Laguna (SMCL), in partnership with the Zonta Club of Laguna, Philippines, continues to empower the next generation of leaders through its flagship voter education program “BIDA BAYANI: Ambag Ko sa Bayan Ko”, held recently at SMCL for both onsite students and online viewers.

Now in its third year, the forum emphasized the importance of responsible and informed voting, especially among first-time and young voters. It featured a panel of esteemed speakers, including Attorney Lorna Patajo-Capunan, former Zonta International District 17 Area 5 Director and a prominent lawyer in the Philippines; Marion Joseph Villar, Education Governance Program Officer at The Asia Foundation; and Jude Liao, Executive Director of the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV).

The initiative—organized in cooperation with the SMCL Foundation Inc., PPCRV, Z and Golden Z Clubs of SMCL and the Zonta club—encouraged students to scrutinize candidate platforms, verify credentials and avoid disinformation. Organizers emphasized that informed voting decisions can create a lasting, positive impact on communities and the democratic process.

Legal Help Desk for human trafficking victims launched

In a pioneering move for the Zonta Club of Laguna, the organization launched the Legally Zonta Help Desk—a first-of-its-kind initiative providing direct support and legal assistance for survivors of human trafficking and abuse.

The Help Desk serves as a confidential and secure resource center where victims can access legal guidance, counseling, and emergency assistance. Staffed by qualified legal professionals and counselors, the initiative bridges the gap between survivors and the services they need by integrating connections to local law enforcement, crisis centers and healthcare providers.

More than just a help desk, it is a vital lifeline and a commitment to ensure that survivors have access to justice and recovery.

‘Loving Embrace’ Medical Mission brings care to survivors

In another effort to support trafficking survivors, Zonta Club of Laguna, in collaboration with the MOB Foundation, JCI Damas De San Pedro, and the Congressional Office of Rep. Ann Matibag, conducted a one-day medical mission titled Loving Embrace at a shelter in Antipolo City.

Led by Dr. M. Borabien and Dr. C. Gacoba, the outreach program provided free medical consultations, cervical cancer vaccinations for female survivors, distribution of medicines, and preventive health education. Survivors also received care kits and participated in a day of fun and healing, which included entertainment, gift-giving and meals sponsored by Jollibee.

On the morning of 27 March, the Zonta Club of Pampanga, Philippines, in partnership with Sindalan High School in the City of San Fernando, Pampanga, hosted an educational forum focused on the Violence Against Women and Their Children (VAWC) Law and gender equality. Held at the school’s covered court, the event brought together students and educators for a morning of awareness and empowerment.

Club President Gina Rosario Millan opened the program with an introduction to Zonta International’s mission and vision, highlighting the importance of ending violence against women and girls and promoting youth involvement in gender advocacy. She was assisted by her daughter, Thea Marielle Millan, who also served as the event’s official photographer.

The keynote speaker, Attorney Jeriko Rivera Bais, delivered a compelling and informative presentation on the VAWC Law and Gender Equality Law, using real-life examples to engage and educate the audience. His talk sparked a lively and thoughtful open forum with participating students from Grades 7, 10 and 11.

The club praised the students’ active participation and thoughtful questions, calling the event a successful and inspiring step toward fostering a more informed and empowered generation.

The Zonta Club of Hualien II, Taiwan, successfully hosted Hualien’s first women’s charity golf tournament, “Blooming Bright, Shining Zonta,” in support of the Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women campaign.

Held at the Hualien Golf Club, the event welcomed more than 60 female golfers, using golf as a powerful platform to promote unity, dignity and human rights for women. The tournament aimed to raise awareness of gender-based violence while amplifying the mission of Zonta International within the local community.

Thanks to the generosity of the Hualien Golf Club, the tournament raised US$1,935 in proceeds, which were donated in full to the Zonta Girl Scholarship – Shining Stars Program. The initiative, led by the Zonta club, supports underprivileged girls in rural areas by providing access to education and helping them realize their potential.

An on-site charity booth also raised an additional US$2,200 in donations, further strengthening the impact of the scholarship program and demonstrating strong community support for the cause.

The day concluded with an awards ceremony marked by celebration and camaraderie. Wang Xiuxia earned the Overall Gross Champion title with a score of 77, adding to the event’s uplifting atmosphere.

The Zonta Club of Laguna, Philippines, in collaboration with the Office of Hon. Ann Matibag and MOB Foundation Inc., launched a series of targeted community outreach efforts focusing on healthcare, women’s legal rights and youth protection.

In Antipolo, the “Voice of the Free” initiative provided a holistic approach to women’s health. The program combined health education lectures on hygiene and wellness with comprehensive medical checkups, external genital examinations, and HPV vaccinations. The initiative aimed to strengthen community health and reduce the long-term risks associated with preventable diseases with follow-up vaccinations and ongoing health monitoring. Medical professionals Dr. M. Borabien, Dr. C. Gacoba, and J. Acierto, RN, led the operations alongside dedicated volunteers.

Parallel to this health-focused work, the club organized multiple legal literacy initiatives centered on the Violence Against Women and Children (VAWC) Act, or Republic Act 9262. In San Pedro City, a community lecture educated residents on the legal definitions of abuse, the processes for reporting incidents, available protection orders and the roles of government agencies. Speakers translated complex legal concepts into practical, actionable information to empower attendees.

As part of the 16 Days of Activism campaign, the club also launched a robust social media awareness series that simplified legal information on VAWC and shared step-by-step guides, infographics and helpline resources. The campaign tackled frequently asked questions and illustrated real-life scenarios to make the law relatable and understandable. A second phase of the campaign expanded the content with shareable resources in local languages, helping amplify reach and comprehension.

Youth engagement played a critical role in the Zonta club’s outreach efforts. At San Pedro Relocation Center National High School, students attended educational talks on preventing teenage pregnancy and understanding their rights under the VAWC law. Age-appropriate content and interactive sessions helped equip students with knowledge to make informed choices and recognize signs of abuse.

Complementing these educational components was the distribution of hygiene kits that included basic health products and educational materials—ensuring participants received not only knowledge but also practical tools for personal well-being.

In a spirited display of advocacy and unity, the Zonta Club of Fairfax County, VA, USA, participated in a coordinated postcard campaign in support of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) during their annual holiday gathering in December 2024.

Longtime supporters of the ERA, the club first rallied behind the amendment when the ERA bus toured Virginia—a pivotal moment that helped make the state the 38th and final state needed to ratify the amendment in 2020. Believing that all legal requirements to enact the ERA had been met, members decided to write personalized postcards to President Joe Biden, urging him to instruct the Archivist of the United States to formally publish the ERA as the 28th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

The postcard-writing initiative was done in collaboration with the ERA Coalition, aligning with nationwide efforts to send a unified message to the White House. Members came prepared with postcards in hand and heartfelt messages advocating for gender equality and constitutional recognition of women’s rights.

In a significant development, just three days before the end of his term, President Biden announced that the Equal Rights Amendment is the “law of the land”—recognizing it as the 28th Amendment to the Constitution. While advocates acknowledge that the fight for full implementation and legal recognition continues, Zonta members celebrated this milestone as a meaningful result of sustained pressure and coalition-based advocacy.