The Zonta Club of Rome I, Italy, organized a conference to address key aspects of Italian law aimed at combating gender violence. The event opened with a historical analysis of violence against women, followed by a detailed report on workplace abuses affecting women.
Held in an institutional conference room, the event brought together influential voices, including the President of the Commission for Equal Opportunities and other representatives of the municipality.
The Zonta Club of Fredericksburg, TX, USA, is committed to its mission of “Building a Better World for Women and Girls” by raising awareness about the alarming prevalence of labor trafficking, sex trafficking and sextortion in Texas. Partnering with organizations nationwide to combat these crimes, the club has taken proactive steps to address the issue locally.
The club produced and distributed posters and rack cards featuring local resources for victims. These materials include brief descriptions of services and QR codes for easy access, ensuring help is readily available to those in need. During the 16 Days of Activism, the club displayed a prominent “Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women” banner across Main Street to draw attention to the cause.
Club President Elizabeth “Liz” Wunderlich amplified the message by delivering live radio talks on the shocking statistics and Zonta’s ongoing efforts. Informational tables were set up at local businesses, including Schatze Haus, a thrift store associated with the Grace Center women’s shelter. The store decorated in orange, distributed rack cards, and offered popcorn, cookies and water to patrons.
To further engage the community, a large Zonta Says NO banner was displayed alongside hundreds of orange marker flags, symbolizing abuse victims. The display, illuminated with orange mini-lights, served as the backdrop for a group photo featuring Zonta Club members, Girl Scouts and representatives from the Fredericksburg Police Department and Gillespie County Sheriff’s Office to showcase community support.
On 22 November, the Zonta Club of Châtillon-sur-Seine et Région, France, adorned key landmarks in the town orange. A banner and orange fabric were also wrapped around the central fountain, and Zonta signs were placed at the city’s entrances. The statues in the garden of the tourist office and the Marianne statue in the Mayor’s office were both fitted with orange scarves. One of the city gates was also illuminated in orange, while a visual message was displayed prominently on the town’s light panel throughout the campaign.
These actions were carried out in the presence of the Mayor of Châtillon, several personalities and club members, creating a strong community statement.
This initiative aims to raise awareness about gender-based violence, encouraging people to recognize the issue, learn about the progress being made, and feel empowered to speak out.
*This story was translated into English by Google Translate.
The Zonta Club of Lunéville, France, joined the global fight against gender-based violence with impactful initiatives during the 16 Days of Activism.
Key landmarks in Lunéville, including the town hall and castle, were illuminated in orange while the town hall in nearby Baccarat also glowed orange to raise awareness for the campaign.
In addition to these visual displays, the club distributed 60,000 bread bags which included a violence meter, a tool to measure violence in relationships, in around 50 bakeries across the Lunéville region.
*This story was translated into English by Google Translate.
In a heartfelt commemoration, the Zonta Club of Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines, together with the Z Club of Saint Louis School, Now Forming Z Club of Solano High School and members of the OFW organization of Solano, gathered to honor the lives of women who have tragically lost their lives due to violence and abuse.
This poignant event was held where members of the community came together to remember those who suffered at the hands of violence and to renew their commitment to creating a safer environment for women and girls.
The event to honor the memory of the victims began with a solemn moment of silence, allowing attendees to reflect on the loss of lives caused by violence. Candles symbolizing hope and resilience were lit, also as an expression of solidarity with the survivors of violence.
The blessing of the gravestone was officiated by Fr. Roy D. Quiambao.
The club remains committed to continuing its advocacy for women’s rights by creating programs that raise awareness about violence against women. It is hoped that this annual memorial service will serve as a catalyst for change within the community.
The Zonta Club of Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines, organized a Zonta Fun Bike event that began at Heroes Park and traversed the rural barangays of San Luis, Lactawan, Mapaina, Uddiawan, Bangaan, Wacal, and Quezon. Participants wore T-shirts emblazoned with the message “I SUPPORT THE ZONTA CLUB OF NUEVA VIZCAYA: STOP VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN.”
Atty. Jerome Marcos and Barangay Captain Melchor Marzo served as lead guides for the event, accompanied by groups including baysol, kapedal, bagabag mountain bikers, padyak tulak mountain bikers, rotary club of vizcaya, villaverde mountain bikers, bambang mountain bikers, t6t and other individual bikers.
The Fun Bike event aimed to raise awareness within the community, especially among residents in the rural areas of Solano, about the importance of stopping violence against women.
Throughout the journey, the song “Sandigan ng mga Kababaihan” played, celebrating and honoring women while emphasizing their strength, resilience and invaluable contributions to society.
On 30 November, Zonta District 32 carried out the Zonta Says NO campaign in cities across South Korea, including Seoul, Daegu, Busan, Daejeon and Yeosu. Approximately 140 Zonta members participated, holding pickets against illegal filming, dating violence, workplace sexual harassment, sexual violence and domestic violence.
The members also distributed leaflets to encourage citizens to help create a safe, violence-free society for women. A photo zone was set up to engage the public and raise awareness.
District 32 Governor Hyo-Sook La stated, “It is important to actively participate in support activities against all forms of violence against women,” and emphasized, “Gender equality must be maintained for a sustainable society.”
The Zonta Club of Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines, in collaboration with the Z Club of Saint Louis College and soon-to-be members of the Now Forming Z Club of Solano High School, organized the “Walk for Solidarity to Stop Violence” in the Poblacion of Solano.
The event served as a powerful demonstration to raise awareness about violence against women, aiming to inspire communities to take actionable steps toward a future free from violence, discrimination and abuse. By engaging local participants, the walk sent a strong message to the community about the urgent need to address and prevent gender-based violence.
Each year, the Zonta Club of Tartu, Estonia, recognizes a female professional who has made exceptional contributions to addressing intimate partner violence. The scholarship supports self-improvement or further studies for individuals in fields such as investigation, social work, child protection, education, psychology, and law enforcement.
This year’s scholarship was awarded to Annika Antšak, who works tirelessly with children who have experienced violence. Annika plans to use the scholarship to pursue a micro degree in therapeutic arts, equipping her with additional tools to support vulnerable children. The award was presented at the club’s November meeting honoring Annika’s dedication and commitment to making a difference.
Every year during the “Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women” campaign, the club takes to the streets, dressed in orange, walking the symbol of infinity across the bridges of Tartu. Carrying posters with the message “Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women,” the walk symbolizes solidarity and raises awareness about the fight to end gender-based violence.
On 30 November six club members and two supporters proudly participated in this year’s walk, which also included a visit to the town square. The walk fosters camaraderie among participants and also serves as a visible reminder to those who may need support that they are not alone.
To further amplify the message, several businesses and public institutions in Tartu illuminated their buildings with orange lights on 25 November, demonstrating their support for the campaign.
“This walk is about being seen and inspiring others to think, act, and be better,” said a club representative. “It’s especially important before the holidays, a time that can be stressful or lonely for many.”
Dr. Monique Martinek delivered a lecture on the legal implications of the new German law regarding underage individuals, a topic she focused on for her Ph.D. She highlighted how the number of underage marriages in Germany has risen dramatically since the so-called refugee crisis, making it a pressing issue to address.
The lecture and subsequent networking session were well-received by the audience and helped strengthen the brand of Zonta Club of Berlin, Germany. The event was hosted at the scenic Kreuzberger Kinderstiftung, which generously provided the venue free of charge.
The Zonta Club of Jyväskylä, Finland, partnered with local organizations to promote advocacy during the Zonta Says NO campaign. Key city landmarks, including Hospital Nova and Congress Centre Paviljonki, were illuminated in orange. On 25 November, the club hosted an event at the Nero steps, featuring a speech by the president of UN Women Jyväskylä, a performance by the Kipinät choir and refreshments. Attendees dressed in orange and lit the steps with candles to raise awareness for gender equality.
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