The Ilocos Norte National High School Z Club, the Philippines, joined the Zonta Club Ilocos Norte in a motorcade as a kick-off activity for this year’s 16 Days of Activism. The 16 Days of Activism campaign sought to end gender-based violence, especially violence against women. The club’s officers and advisers actively participated and looked chick and fabulous in their orange wigs. The clubs band together to say NO to violence against women

The Zonta Club of Mascoutah Area, USA, joins the Zonta Says NO campaign to spread the word by placing orange Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women signs and banners around Mascoutah. Small orange flags will be placed in the planters along Main Street with the Domestic Abuse Hotline phone number. In addition, the Mayor of Mascoutah, Pat McMahon, signed a proclamation recognizing the club for its advocacy efforts against gender-based violence.

On 6 December, the Zonta Club of Hamilton 1, Canada, recognized the Canadian National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women by meeting in front of Hamilton City Hall. Under their Zonta Says NO banner, the club remembered the 14 women murdered at Ecole Polytechnique Montreal on 6 December 1989 in the name of “fighting feminism.”

Representatives from the local YWCA and a local Girl Guide troop joined the club members.

Support for the 16 Days of Activism extended across Canada from coast to coast. Zonta Clubs all over Canada collaborated to invite their local cities and towns to light up in orange. 

The Zonta Club of Halifax, Canada, contacted cities and towns in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador to light up landmarks in the Atlantic provinces. Iconic landmarks illuminated in orange. 

Municipalities proclaimed November 25 as the Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. City Halls, legislatures, government houses- residences of Her Majesty the Queen in Canada representatives, and universities glowed orange and raised flags in solidarity. 

The premiers of Ontario and New Brunswick sent letters of support. The Cape Breton Regional Municipality in Nova Scotia passed a resolution and provided other support. The Lieutenant Governor of Prince Edward Island also voiced her support. 

Zonta clubs issued news releases generating newspaper items, social media posts and TV coverage. Canadian landmarks showcased orange with high-tech illuminations, including webcams for 24-hour viewing. 

A more low-tech but powerful message was sent in Amherst, on the Nova Scotia and New Brunswick border. Mayor Kogan, who has been a stalwart Zonta supporter, issued a proclamation, and as part of the recognition, the town flew the Zonta flag downtown throughout Zonta Week beginning November 25. 

The Zonta Club of Amherst, Canada, participated in the flag-raising. The Cumberland County Museum supported the club’s efforts to stop violence against women. In support of the Zonta Says NO campaign, they simply wrapped a tree in orange.

Despite rain and fog, Zonta clubs recognized 37 landmarks being illuminated to shine a beacon of hope this year. Among them are: 

• Nanaimo, British Columbia – The Bastion Historic Fortress.
• Vancouver, British Columbia – Canada Place Sails of Light. 
• Vancouver, British Columbia – City Hall and Burrard St. Bridge. 
• Vancouver, British Columbia – Bloedel Conservatory. 
• Calgary, Alberta – The Calgary Tower. 
• Edmonton, Alberta – The High Level Bridge. 
• Saskatoon, Saskatchewan – SaskTel Centre. 
• Winnipeg, Manitoba – Winnipeg Sign at ” The Forks.” 
• Niagara Falls, Ontario – Niagara Falls. 
• London, Ontario – City Hall. 
• Kitchener, Ontario – Main Street. 
• Hamilton, Ontario – City Hall and Hamilton Sign. 
• Brampton, Ontario – City Clock Tower. 
• Mississauga, Ontario – Civic Centre Clock Tower. 
• Mississauga, Ontario – Port Credit Lighthouse. 
• Toronto, Ontario – CN Tower. 
• Ottawa, Ontario – City Hall. 
• Ottawa, Ontario – Byward Market Ottawa Sign. 
• Kingston, Ontario – City Hall. 
• Montreal, Quebec – Montreal Olympic Tower. 
• Fredericton, New Brunswick – The Legislature Building. 
• Halifax, Nova Scotia – City Hall. 
• Halifax, Nova Scotia – Province House. 
• Halifax, Nova Scotia – Roger’s Square. 
• Halifax, Nova Scotia – Mt. Saint Vincent University – Seton Building. 
• Peggy’s Cove, Nova Scotia – Peggy’s Point Lighthouse. 
• Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island – City Hall.
•  St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador – Confederation Building. 
• St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador – Government House. 
• St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador – City Hall.

The rapidly growing population of Southeast Asian migrant workers and immigrants in Taiwan has made public and private sectors aware of the increasing demand for new services. District 31, Taiwan and Mongolia, participated in the latest trend and has decided to aid the new immigrant community as one of its 2020-2022 biannual goals.

On 3 December, a Zonta International delegation led by Governor Vivienne Shen visited Taoyuan New Immigrants Cultural Hall and SouthEastAsian Migrant Inspired (SEAMi) to learn their services in Taoyuan City. Taoyuan City is the home of the largest migrant workers and the fourth largest for the new immigrants in Taiwan. All the delegates were impressed by the contributions and achievements of the two organizations.

In the Cultural Hall, Yu-Ting Chang, the deputy executive director of Taoyuan City’s New Immigrant Joint Service Center, told the delegation that Taoyuan is the first city in Taiwan to establish the section exclusively for the new immigrants’ affairs under its Social Welfare Department. The Center, supervised by the team, coordinates with governmental departments to provide one-stop service for the new immigrants. Legal consultation and language assistance are also provided. The latter has helped COVID-19 information delivery preventing the pandemic from spreading among the immigrant communities.

Located in the rear of Taoyuan Railway Station where the migrant workers gather for leisure, SEAMi, a non-governmental organization established in 2015, was a bookstore for migrant workers’ reading the books from home. It has transformed into a cultural exchange center between new immigrants and the residents. Sing Yee Tan from Malaysia supervises the SEAMi project contracted by the city government on migrant worker service in the Joint Service Center.

Phạm Mỹ Hạnh, a Vietnam language teacher, shared her experiences on community works while making the Aodai bookmarks with the Zontians. They are popular speakers of SEAMi’s training courses and guided tours on Southeast Asian culture for the local schools and communities.

From 25 November to 10 December, the Orange the World: Ending Gender-Based Violence took place. The delegation, led by Vivienne, held a parade carrying the boards and banners of “Zonta Says No to Violence against Women” and walked from the New Immigrants Cultural Hall through Taoyuan Railway Station to SEAMi to urge the public to be aware of the issue. The delegation included Director Diana Cheng of Area 1, President Stasia Huang of Taipei Cosmo Club, President Gui-Chu Yang of Taoyuan Club, President Vicky Wang of Taoyuan Peony Club, and members from the three clubs.

The Zonta Club of Noosa will again stage a walk as part of its international anti-violence campaign, Zonta Says No.

This event is part of 16 Days of Activism held in collaboration with Zontians worldwide and aimed at a local, national and international level to influence the creation and implementation of laws, and to change gender-based attitudes and behaviours to end violence against women and girls. In Australia, one woman in three has experienced physical or sexual assault in her lifetime.

This year’s event is a twilight walk and candlelight vigil to be held on Sunday 28 November from 5.30pm at the Lions Park River Stage on Gympie Terrace.

Noosa police officer in charge Ben Carroll will speak about local violence against women, followed by an update from Zonta Noosa president Margie Fisher on Zonta International’s efforts to assist abused women and girls – particularly those affected by the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan.

Tealight candles will be distributed for attendees to carry on a short walk along the river and upon return to the River Stage, the lights will be placed in 50 odd empty shoes, symbolising the Australian women who have been violently killed this year. The event will end with a minute’s silent vigil.

Zonta Club of Noosa invites you to wear orange and come walk with us to show support of women around the world by attending our event at Lions Park.

From 25 November to 10 December, Zonta Noosa will be spreading the word about this important topic. Look for the Noosa Says No banner in Lions Park, visit our information stands at the Noosa Library and Bendigo Bank, like us on Facebook and follow our journey for those 16 days.

https://noosatoday.com.au/news/10-11-2021/noosa-says-no-to-violence/

From Nov. 20 to Dec. 20, Cause & Affect Gallery in Fenton is showcasing art on a difficult topic — violence against women.

The “See it, Hear it, Speak out!” is an all-woman show in which 15 artists share their voices and perspectives on the violence women experience.

“Violence against women occurs all around the world and is in many forms. This exhibit speaks to many of these forms of violence. As a society if we see it, or heart it, we must speak out. This show may be triggering for some individuals and may not be appropriate for children,” according to the press release.

Annie Anglim, owner of the gallery, has wanted to take on hard topics ever since she opened Cause & Affect.

“Art has the ability to make people look at things differently. Nov. 25 each year is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and I wanted this show to coincide with that,” Anglim said.

This event is sponsored by the Zonta Club of Flint and Michigan Fence Company. Anglim is a member of Zonta International. The organization works to end violence against women. They do 16 days of activism every year beginning Nov. 25.

These heavy topics can be hard and triggering for people who have dealt with these experiences.

“This has been a tough show for me personally as well as I too was a victim. If we do not discuss these things, nothing will ever change. Using art to speak on this topic helps us to dialogue with one another,” Anglim said.

She hopes the exhibit helps people learn what women face every day.

“Women should not have to be a victim of violence just because they were born female. I also want to see men get on board and start to let one another know it is not okay to treat women this way. If there could be legislative change happen, that would be wonderful. An example of this is child marriage,” Anglim said.

Cause & Affect Gallery is located at 126 N. LeRoy St.
Gallery Hours:
11 a.m. – 7 p.m. Tuesday – Thursday
12 p.m. – 8 p.m. Friday
10 a.m. – 8 p.m. Saturday

According to the World Health Organization:
• Violence against women — particularly intimate partner violence and sexual violence — is a major public health problem and a violation of women’s human rights.
• Globally, about 1 in 3 (30%) of women worldwide have been subjected to either physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence or non-partner sexual violence in their lifetime. Most of this violence is intimate partner violence. Worldwide, almost one third (27%) of women aged 15-49 years who have been in a relationship report that they have been subjected to some form of physical and/or sexual violence by their intimate partner.
• Violence can negatively affect women’s physical, mental, sexual, and reproductive health, and may increase the risk of acquiring HIV in some settings.
• Violence against women is preventable. The health sector has an important role to play to provide comprehensive health care to women subjected to violence, and as an entry point for referring women to other support services they may need.

https://www.tctimes.com/news/art-gallery-explores-topic-of-violence-against-women/article_f8306e2c-4d65-11ec-9b14-5fb3709991f7.html

The COVID-19 pandemic hasn’t kept the local Zonta Club from marking the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, but it continues to raise concerns for the victims potentially trapped in homes with their abusers.

That concern was top of mind when the Zonta Club held its annual Zonta Says No campaign last year during the pandemic and remains a year later as the second COVID-era rally took place Thursday on the Parry Bridge in Chatham.

“People think in Canada we’re a pretty damn civilized society, but one of the hideous outcomes of COVID has been a dramatic increase in gender-based violence,” Hiliary Henley, advocacy chair for the Zonta Club, said.

She said many victims have been hidden away at home.

“One in three women will experience violence in their lifetime,” said Karen Hunter, executive director of the Chatham-Kent Women’s Centre, during a flag-raising at the Civic Centre Thursday that also marked the beginning of 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence worldwide.

“Over the last year in Ontario, femicide rates have increased substantially,” she said. “Every loss to gender-based violence is one too many.”

Tara Greenway, the sexual assault domestic violence co-ordinator and clinical resource nurse at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance, said about 60 victims of sexual assault and domestic violence are treated in the emergency department each year – and that’s only the people who come forward.

She noted the numbers actually dipped at the beginning of the pandemic, and then rose up, but have since settled to numbers usually seen in the emergency department.



Some of the participants in the Zonta Says No campaign stand on the Parry Street Bridge in Chatham on Thursday to take part in the annual rally to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. ELLWOOD SHREVE PHOTO/Chatham Daily News/Postmedia jpg, CD
Greenway said it’s critical to bring this issue to the public’s attention through events such as rallies.

“The reason I’m here is to let people know to not be afraid to come in,” she said.

Noting some people may be afraid to see medical help because of other issues, such as a drug addiction, Greenway said, “We are really here to help.”

She said victims will never have to sit in the waiting room with the general public but will be taken to a safe place to receive medical attention in private.

“Don’t be afraid. Don’t be ashamed. Come forward,” Greenway said, adding there is 24-7 on-call coverage.
Greenway said there is also no pressure from health-care workers for victims to get the authorities involved.

“If they do not feel comfortable involving the legal system, we can (collect) a sexual assault evidence kit and we can hold it for up to a year,” she said.


Some of the participants in the Zonta Says No campaign, stand on the Parry Street Bridge in Chatham on Thursday to take part in the annual rally to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. ELLWOOD SHREVE PHOTO/Chatham Daily News/Postmedia PHOTO BY ELLWOOD SHREVE /jpg, CD

Some Grade 11 students from École secondaire de Pain Court took part in the rally as part of a school project.

Jayden Viazon, 16, said their project, called Global Goal, focuses on gender equality.

She said the students have done research in class, but she wanted to do something more than making a poster or posting to a social media account.

“I really want to do something with this project,” Viazon said.


Some of the participants in the Zonta Says No campaign, walk towards the Parry Street Bridge in Chatham on Thursday to take part in the annual rally to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. ELLWOOD SHREVE PHOTO/Chatham Daily News/Postmedia jpg, CD

Christian Ruiz, 16, joined his fellow classmates in participating in the rally.

“I want to learn as much as I can about what happens and what we can do to help it stop,” he said.

Viazon believes it is important for young people to get involved in this issue.

“It’s been too normalized for women to be assaulted and feel in danger,” she said.

There are a lot of young women who can’t open up and talk about the situations they’ve been through because of how difficult and sensitive of the topic can be, she said.

“I feel it’s important that we should all fight together in order that everybody can feel comfortable in their own skin and who they are as a person,” Viazon said. “I’m really proud that we’re all here.”

https://www.brantfordexpositor.ca/news/local-news/rally-raises-awareness-about-gender-based-violence

The market square in Nidda shone in orange as many interested people visited the stand of the Zonta Club Nidda-Oberhessen, Germany, and the Frauennotruf Wetterau e.V., another nonprofit women’s organization in Germany. Visitors gave their support for a cross-coordination office of the federal government for the implementation of the Istanbul Convention. The visualization and attention the club received made this event successful.