Denise Parrish of District 12 created a new set of custom-designed memes for use during the 16 Days of Activism to support daily advocacy messaging across the district. The graphics will be accompanied by daily content written by Renee Coppock of the Zonta Club of Billings.
The materials have been distributed to clubs with an open invitation to use them as needed throughout the campaign.
The Zonta Club of Accra Jubilee has lit up the National Theatre, an iconic cultural monument, in orange to mark the 2025 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (GBV).
The illumination formed part of global activities to raise awareness and rally action to end violence against women and girls.
The colour orange, the official symbol of the campaign, represents hope and a future free from violence.
The event attracted members of Zonta International District 18, UN Women, civil society organisations, government partners and members of the diplomatic and creative community
It featured an “I Pledge” activity, where participants committed to speaking up against abuse, reporting harmful online behaviour, supporting survivors and advocating safer digital spaces.
Symbol
Speaking at the event, President of the Zonta Club of Accra Jubilee, Ewurama Dawson-Amoah, said lighting up the National Theatre was both a symbol of hope and a call to responsibility.
She said this year’s campaign theme, “Unite to End Digital Violence Against All Women and Girls,” highlights the growing threats women face in online spaces where harassment, cyberbullying, non-consensual image sharing and AI-driven manipulation are on the rise.
“Digital violence is real violence. Its impact goes far beyond the screen, affecting mental health, dignity, education, political participation and personal safety. If we are to create a future where women thrive, we must ensure they can thrive both online and offline,” she said.
She called for stronger digital protection, improved accountability measures for perpetrators and collaboration among government, civil society, media, technology companies and community groups to build safer online environment.
Commendation, call to action
The Governor of Zonta International District 18, Opeibea Omaboe, commended the Accra Jubilee Club for choosing the National Theatre, one of the nation’s most visible cultural symbols, as the focal point of this year’s awareness efforts.
She said violence against women was a global, persistent threat that manifests physically, verbally, economically and, increasingly, digitally.
The Governor urged members and the public to actively advocate during the 16 days by wearing orange, speaking up against abuse, participating in awareness events and spreading messages of safety and equality.
She added that violence, whether physical, emotional, economic or digital, must not be tolerated, and therefore encouraged women to empower themselves through community awareness, self-defence and responsible digital practices
The UN Women Country Representative to Ghana, Dr Afua Ansre, also commended Zonta for its leadership and consistency in championing women’s rights.
She said lighting the National Theatre in orange would help amplify the message across the country and inspire community action.
“We hope that this effort contributes, even in a small way, to raising awareness and encouraging individuals, organisations and government to take meaningful steps to end GBV,” she said.
Dr Ansre encouraged organisations and individuals to use the activism period to amplify information, share safety tools, advocate stronger policies and support survivors.
The Zonta Club of Naestved, Denmark, marked the 16 Days of Activism with a series of public exhibitions across the city, including an information booth at the town square on 29 November in collaboration with four local women’s clubs. Additional displays featuring informational materials and pamphlets were set up at the local library and train station to raise awareness about violence against women.
As part of the campaign, the club also illuminated a historic water tower in orange and decorated three female sculptures along the canal, as well as trees in a nearby park, creating a visible call for community action.
The Zonta Club of Kaohsiung, Taiwan, launched its Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women advocacy action in Japan. Standing by the port with their orange banner that symbolizes strength and hope, the club joined partners from different places to deliver a unified message to the world: Say NO to all forms of gender-based violence.
Through advocacy filming and meaningful exchanges in Japan, the club hopes to raise more awareness and encourage more people to join the movement for safety, equality and respect. The club declares they will spread the Zonta hope until every woman can live freely in a world without violence.
The Zonta Club of Taitung, Taiwan, held its monthly meeting centered on advocacy as District Secretary Kim highlighted the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence and urged members to continue speaking out against abuse. The club also celebrated members’ birthdays, strengthening bonds through joy and support.
Reaffirming its commitment to ending violence, the Zonta Club of Taitung emphasized its ongoing work through action, education and advocacy to promote respect and equality throughout the community.
For the 16 Days of Activism, members of Zonta International walked across the Sydney Harbour Bridge to advocate against domestic and family violence.
Organized by the Zonta Club of Sydney Breakfast Inc, Australia, Zontians from District 24 Area 1 walked across the bridge wearing orange for the campaign. Throughout the walk, members of the public clapped, offered thanks and asked questions about the cause. The advocacy continued at Circular Quay, where participants viewed trees wrapped in handmade yarns depicting stories from the Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women campaign. The display served as a visually striking installation that drew the attention of tourists and locals, helping to amplify Zonta’s message of awareness and action.
On 24 November, the Zonta Clubs of Fukui Fine and Fukui, Japan, hosted an illumination ceremony at the Dinosaur Plaza located at the west exit of Fukui Station. With the support from the prefectural and city governments, as well as organizations advocating for women and girls, the beloved dinosaur monument, an iconic symbol of the region, was lit in orange and purple to raise awareness and call for an end to violence against women and girls.
The ceremony attracted a diverse group of participants, including representatives from women’s support organizations, Z club students, families with children and local residents. Local media also covered the event, helping to amplify the message throughout the community.
Fukui is known as one of Japan’s largest dinosaur fossil excavation sites, and dinosaurs hold a special place in the hearts of residents. Illuminating this familiar landmark in the campaign’s advocacy colors prompted natural, everyday exposure to the message, making the issue of violence more visible and relatable to the public.
Participants shared thoughtful and supportive comments such as:
• “I hope to see continued progress toward gender equality.”
• “Violence should never be tolerated—women, men, and children all deserve safety. Thank you for your efforts.”
This initiative successfully contributed to:
• Raising public awareness of violence against women and girls,
• Increasing the visibility of Zonta International’s mission, and
• Strengthening collaboration with the local community.
As the world marks the 16 Days of Activism to End Gender-Based Violence from 25 November to 10 December, the Zonta Club III of Colombo, Sri Lanka, kick-started its campaign with an Advocacy and Legislative Awareness program for employees at the Spring & Summer garment factory in Maharagama. Executives from the organization attended the event who will carry this message further to the more than 100 female working team.
Past President and founder member of Zonta Club III of Colombo, Shiranthi Gunawardena, who also serves as president of the Sri Lanka Women Lawyers Association, addressed participants alongside officials from the Sri Lanka Police Bureau for the Prevention and Investigation of Abuse of Children and Women. Club President Shera Hassen also joined the activity, reinforcing the organization’s commitment to prevention and legal awareness.
This year, the club marked the 16 Days of Activism under the theme, “UNiTE to End Digital Violence Against All Women and Girls,” which highlights the increasing prevalence of technology-facilitated abuse. Studies show that between 16% and 58% of women have experienced some form of digital violence, including harassment, non-consensual image sharing, stalking and online exploitation. Experts note that digital violence mirrors societal gender inequalities and can result in severe psychological, physical and economic consequences.
In response to these challenges, Zonta Club III of Colombo emphasized the six strategic pillars guiding efforts to end digital violence: accountability, prevention, justice, response, economic empowerment and research. As part of its local advocacy, the club commissioned an electronic billboard at a major junction in Kollupitiya, Colombo 3, calling attention to the campaign and urging public action.
Walk Against Family Violence
On 28 November, members of the Zonta Clubs of Melbourne on Yarra Inc and Melbourne West Inc, Australia, joined the Respect Victoria annual Walk Against Family Violence, marching alongside like-minded organizations and community leaders. Speakers included representatives from Indigenous communities and a Muslim woman who shared her lived experience, describing how she only recognized her situation as coercive control after receiving community support.
Natalie Hutchins, Minister for Prevention of Family Violence and for Women, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to making coercive control a stand-alone criminal offense. The march saw a record turnout of men and families, signaling growing societal recognition that violence against women is unacceptable.
Participants emphasized the shared goal of preventing further additions to “The Lost Petition,” a now 38-meter-long textile memorial listing women and children killed by men’s violence since 2008.
Film Screening of Shayda
On 29 November, the Zonta Club of Melbourne on Yarra hosted a screening of the award-winning international film “Shayda” at the Ivanhoe Library. The 2023 film recounts the story of an Iranian woman fleeing domestic violence and seeking refuge in Queensland.
During a moving Q&A, the real “Shayda,” Yaz, discussed reliving her trauma during production and the long legal battle she faced after escaping her husband. Her daughter Noora, who lived in refuge as a child and later directed the film, has traveled the world sharing its message, with women everywhere recognizing their own stories in it.
Yaz emphasized the lifesaving role of accessible information for women escaping violence, recalling that discovering a small legal aid booklet years ago gave her the courage and knowledge to leave.
Supporting Young Survivors
During the campaign period, the Zonta Club of Melbourne on Yarra Inc donated AU$3,000 to the Lighthouse “Freedom House,” which is for young women escaping early and forced marriage, modern slavery and domestic violence. The Freedom House offers accommodation, physical support and counselling. This money will be used to help young women get practical support.
This year in Switzerland, the 16 Days of Activism is focused on raising awareness about the violence experienced by women with disabilities.
Zonta Club of Liestal, Switzerland, members set up an orange information tent to engage the public and inform the community on the spiral of violence.
Join us in saying NO 