During the 16 Days of Activism and the Orange the World campaign, the Zonta Club of Torino, Italy, partnered with the city and the City Public Company of Water to illuminate fountains in the city center of Piazza CLN in orange.

On 27 November, they organized a flash mob in front of the fountains to say NO to violence against women with the presence of journalists and public figures.

A recent survey in Sri Lanka has revealed that one out of every four women beyond the age of 15 years has been subjected to violence at least once during her lifetime. In a country with a population of approximately 22.2 million, 52% of that population is women; the numbers are staggering. Surveys have further revealed that the number of women facing violence has escalated since the COVID-19 pandemic and may be higher now due to the tension in households due to the prevailing economic recession in Sri Lanka.

What is even more troubling is the lack of knowledge in society, especially women, of the avenues available to seek assistance and advice in the event of women being subject to violence. This ignorance in society has led to the importance of raising awareness of the helplines available for women to seek help if they are subject to violence.

To address the lack of awareness on the helplines available for women, the Zonta Club of Colombo III partnered with one of the most popular television channels in Sri Lanka, Sirasa TV and TV1, to create a TV trailer that is telecast every hour throughout the 16 day activism period, to raise awareness on the two main women’s helplines: the helpline of the Women and Children’s Bureau of the Sri Lanka Police and the helpline of the Ministry of Women, Child Affairs and Social Empowerment in Sri Lanka.

Club President Kamini Senaratne participated in the morning show of Sirasa Television on 24 November and on the Yes FM Radio Show to talk about Zonta’s initiatives in advocating against violence against women.

To kick off the 16 Days of Activism and the Zonta Says NO to Violence campaign on 25 November, the club organized a walk with all the Sri Lankan clubs, which is a first in the country. The walk started in Independence Square to raise awareness of the need for the elimination of violence against women and also to create awareness of the state-run helplines available for women to reach out to in the event of being subject to any violence.

The walk also drew attention to the two prominent state-owned women’s helplines through the placards.

One of the most common modes of transport, the trishaws, were dressed in the Zonta Says NO message, and orange buttons were distributed alongside the walk.

In the true Zonta Spirit, the walk was supported by the Zonta clubs of Colombo I and II and other organizations, such as the Sri Lanka Sumithrayo, Inner Wheel Club of Colombo and Ms. Hettigoda Industries.
The enthusiastic participants enjoyed the walk, an excellent opportunity to network and refresh connections while sending a vital message to the public.

The Zonta Club of Liestal, Switzerland, created an informational booth in Sissach on violence against women. Zontians handed out emergency cards with phone numbers to women and men in the village. In addition, they were able to place these cards in several shops.

The Zonta clubs of Ibadan I and II, Nigeria, attended the flag-off of the #16Days of Activism by placing two large billboards and placards in strategic locations with lots of traffic to generation awareness toward the Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women campaign. The promotional items also say NO to child marriage, gender-based violence and sexual abuse.

To the clubs, the female child has a right to life and education; no child should be married off at the time she should be working on building her future. Men are not exempted from this education, and statistics have shown that they are the major perpetrators of this abuse. They believe they can protect children and women’s rights and the future together.

In response to the annual 16 Days Campaign Against Gender-Based Violence, the Zonta Club of Hua-Lian, Taiwan, took action to advocate the end of all forms of gender-based violence on 25 November, launching the Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women global campaign.

The campaign aims to raise awareness and expand advocacy to end violence against women and girls around the world. The club entered the community initiative and gained public support and recognition.

Zontians from New Zealand formed a 15-member team for a Dragon Boating Team Paddling in Orange for Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women. Members came from the Zonta clubs of Christchurch-Canterbury, South and North. The team practiced in orange so that any team practicing could see them.

The team had their first Regatta, where they put their tent up among 17 other tents, with the Zonta flag and an orange lady. Their goal is to get exposure for this campaign.

Amongst the 17 teams, about 400 participants in total, the Zonta team was the only one to have paddled five times. At every 3x200m and 3x500m race, all the participants yelled, “Go, Zonta!”

Just walking to the pontoon to race, and after the race, walking back to the tent, they were doing the same. The team found the atmosphere exciting.

Although the team came in last at every race, the Breast of Life Women’s team gave them a guard of honor with their paddles at the lace race. The gesture deeply moved them.

The team was overwhelmed with the exposure and support for Zonta.
They saw the impact their presence had at the Regatta by just getting out there in the community doing the race, having fun fellowship and promoting their cause. They were the only team in bright orange, and a comment was that they couldn’t be missed, and people were asking what is Zonta.

The team has future Regattas coming up to further promote the Zonta Says NO campaign, and they will be paddling until March.

The Zonta Club of Janesville, USA, is participating in the #16Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence and the Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women campaign in three ways.

To kick off the advocacy campaign in Janesville, the bridges at the ARISE Town Square will be lit orange from 25 to 30 November. The club will also erect a silhouette outside the Janesville Woman’s Club featuring messages about gender-based violence. Additionally, local Zontians will engage in a social media campaign about the prevalence and impact of gender-based violence. The last two actions will take place November 25th-December 10th.

Locally, the club provides scholarships to single mothers, women studying business and STEM and high school women who show leadership in their community. The club also supports the local YWCA, which provides shelter to the victims of domestic violence. The actions the club is taking during the 16 Days of Activism will help them in their mission because 35% of women and girls experience violence. Less gender-based violence equals a better world for women and girls and removes an obstacle to an empowered and fulfilled life.

The club would like to thank the City of Janesville and the Woman’s Club of Janesville for their help and cooperation with this campaign.

The Zonta Club of Naestved, Denmark, was represented in downtown Naestved, drawing attention to the Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women campaign. Many people stopped and were told about the campaign and of Zonta.