Members of the Z and Youth Club of the Zonta Clubs of Dhaka I, II, III, and IV, presented a dance drama in support of the 16 Days of Activism Against Violence Against Women. Inspired by Malala Yousafzai’s empowering words, “One child, one teacher, one book, and one pen can change the world,” the performance underscored the transformative role of education for girls. The club hopes the message and performance remind viewers that education is key to unlocking possibilities and stopping violence against women.
On 25 November, members of Zonta District 24 joined the “No More Empty Shoes” Vigil in Sydney, standing in solidarity with survivors, advocates and the families of women and children lost to domestic and family violence. In partnership with more than 30 frontline and community organisations, around 30 Zontians paid tribute to the 74 women and children who have been killed in Australia in 2025—each pair of empty shoes symbolising a life taken far too soon.
The keynote speaker, Tabitha Acret, mother of Mackenzie Anderson and representative of They Are Our Daughters, delivered a powerful and heartfelt address. She spoke of the profound loss of her daughter, whose own child was just one year old when her mother’s life was taken. Tabitha is now a courageous advocate for those left behind, calling for stronger domestic violence sentencing laws and systemic change to prevent further tragedy.
Zonta District 24 remains committed to raising awareness, supporting survivors and advocating for meaningful action to end violence against women and children.
Throughout Days 7 to 10 of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, the Zonta Club of Isabela, Philippines, carried out a series of legal, educational and international advocacy initiatives, strengthening its mission to protect women and children from violence in both physical and digital spaces.
Day 7: Digital Safety and Cybercrime Awareness in Mallig On 1 December, the club held a legal symposium in Mallig focused on the growing threat of online violence against women and children. Zontian and legal expert Attorney Cheryl Canapi-Malana led an in-depth lecture on cybercrime laws, including online harassment and libel, digital sexual violence and safe internet practices for minors. The program highlighted how existing laws can be used to prosecute perpetrators of digital abuse. Club members thanked Mayor Jose Philip “JP” Calderon and local officials for their support, noting that community legal knowledge is a crucial defense against gender-based violence.
Day 8: Global Advocacy Through the ARTA Caravan in Tokyo On 2 December, the club extended its #ZontaSaysNO campaign internationally as Zontians Attorney Jenny Flor Manantan-Cabaddu, Attorney Karla Louise Agbayani and Attorney Analou Villeza, also members of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines Isabela Chapter, provided free legal services at the Philippine ARTA Caravan in Yoyogi Park, Tokyo. The ARTA Caravan brings government services to Filipinos abroad, reinforcing the connection between gender-based violence and bureaucratic barriers that can hinder survivors seeking justice. The club emphasized that both GBV and red tape are global issues requiring an efficient institutional response to ensure women can access timely support.
Day 9: Envisioning a Violence-Free Future in Roxas, Isabela The Zonta Club of Isabela dedicated 3 December to envisioning long-term strategies for a VAW-free community. Vice Mayor Lourdes Panganiban of Angadanan delivered a lecture titled “Beyond the Horizon (Ending Violence Against Women)” to personnel of the LGU of Roxas. The discussion covered survivor-centered recovery, community-wide prevention planning, sustainable livelihood support for women and the importance of listening to survivors as a foundation for effective governance. The club praised LGU Roxas for its commitment to future-focused anti-violence strategies as part of its ongoing 18-day VAW campaign.
Day 10: Listening to Youth Needs at Alicia Vocational School On 4 December, the club held a comprehensive legal and health symposium at Alicia Vocational School, focusing on the protection of youth. The Municipal Health Office addressed teenage pregnancy; Zonta Club of Isabela Vice President Judge Ramorelia Lodriguito-Caranay covered laws on online sexual exploitation (RA 11930) and safe spaces (RA 11313); and Retired Judge Lornabeth Ucol discussed privacy protection under RA 9995. The club recognized the Municipality of Alicia for its strong cooperation and thanked Zontian Aida Pallagud Alejandro, wife of Mayor Joel Amos, for serving as host and partner in ensuring youth safety and empowerment.
Katia Graziosi is the daughter of Anna Zucchini, one of the women arrested on 8 March 1955, for distributing mimosa flowers on International Women’s Day. At the time, Katia was 8 years old, and her memories of her mother’s imprisonment are still vivid in her memory.
The Zonta Club of Bologna Due Torri, Italy, collaborated with Katia to tell her story and fight against violence.
In 2025, “MIMOSE,” Anna Zucchini’s prison memoirs, was published.
Katia also contributed to “Fuori dall’Ombra” (Out of the Shadow), a symbolic book of UDI (Italian Women’s Union). The book was written to recount the experience of the women’s workshops organized by UDI volunteers inside the Dozza women’s prison in Bologna. Katia organizes and coordinates numerous anti-violence support centers in Bologna and the surrounding province, helping women who have lost everything, including with reintegration into the workforce.
*This article was translated into English using Google Translate.”
Every year, the Zonta Club of Port Macquarie Inc, Australia, sponsors the Nautilus College Student of the Year shield. This year, the club called on men and boys to speak up, take responsibility and stand as allies in the fight against gender-based violence.
The Zonta club highlighted the shared values between the club and Nautilus College, including community, friendship, equality, inclusion, respect and integrity.
The Zonta Club of Aparri, Philippines, proudly joined the global call to end violence as they partnered with the LGU Aparri for a Pledge of Commitment to say NO to Violence Against Women and Children.
Together with the local officials headed by the Hon. Mayor Dominador Ambo Dayag and advocates, the club launched their signature campaign: a united stand to protect women and children, amplify awareness, and strengthen their community commitment to creating a safer Aparri for all.
Alongside the Zonta club’s collaboration with the LGU, the club also visited the Bulwagan ng Katarungan, where prosecutors, lawyers, and judges signed the pledge, strengthening their collective resolve to protect women and children.
The Signing of the Pledge is a firm declaration that the LGU Aparri and the Zonta Club of Aparri stand together and are united in promoting respect, equity, and protection for every woman and child. The club extends its thanks to the LGU Aparri for embracing this advocacy with sincerity and commitment.
Zonta conducts a t-shirt printing contest with St. Paul School of Aparri
On Day 10 of the Zonta Club of Aparri’s 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, the club conducted a T-Shirt Printing Contest with the Grade 4, Grade 5 and Grade 6 pupils of St. Paul School of Aparri.
This initiative is part of the club’s efforts to deepen awareness among young learners on the importance of respect, safety, and the protection of women and children. Through their creativity and self-expression, the pupils were able to demonstrate their understanding of the message: “Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women and Children.”
Each participant was provided with a white T-shirt and textile paints, allowing them to freely create designs that reflect what they believe is the call to end gender-based violence. The activity served as a meaningful avenue for children to learn that their voices are powerful and art can contribute to building a safer and more compassionate community. Five winners were chosen among 26 participants.
The club extends its gratitude to the school administration, teachers, and pupils for their cooperation and enthusiasm.
On 25 November, the first day of the 16 Days of Activism Campaign, the Zonta Club of Dhaka II, Bangladesh, conducted an advocacy visit to a local school in Savar to raise awareness about early marriage and cyberbullying.
Students, teachers and several Rotary members attended the session, which featured interactive discussions on the physical, emotional and educational harms of early marriage, as well as the importance of staying in school and making informed decisions. Speakers also addressed the rise of cyberbullying, encouraging safe internet practices, responsible online behavior and seeking trusted help when facing digital harassment.
As part of the outreach effort, the club donated essential health and hygiene supplies to the school, including a water purifier for safe drinking water, sanitary products to support menstrual hygiene and liquid toiletries to improve cleanliness on campus.
School officials and students expressed strong appreciation for the awareness session and the donated items, noting that the program significantly supported their health and well-being. The participation of Rotary members underscored a shared commitment to community development and youth empowerment.
The visit strengthened the club’s ongoing partnership with the school and reinforced its mission to promote a safer, healthier and more informed learning environment.
Two mid-Missouri groups are partnering up to advocate against violence for the next 16 days.
The Missouri Capitol Police and the Zonta Club of Jefferson City joined the Zonta International campaign to raise awareness of violence against women.
Over the course of Zonta’s next 16 Days of Activism, local officers will join in promoting the theme “Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women.”
According to a press release, one in three women around the world have been subjected to physical or intimate partner violence, non-partner sexual violence or both at least once in their lives.
That’s approximately 736 million women globally.
Police acknowledged that not only does this cause significant emotional and physical damage to the women and girls affected, but also their families, communities and countries.
On November 25th, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, Leipzig, at the initiative of the ZONTA Club Leipzig Elster, the ZONTA Club Leipzig, and the Soroptimist International Club Leipzig, is participating once again in the UN campaign Orange the World. Citizens, businesses, institutions of the City of Leipzig and other organizations, associations, and many more are actively advocating for an end to violence against women and girls.
Various campaigns are being used to draw attention to this distressing issue:
Buildings illuminated in orange
digital city light poster in Leipzig city center
Spots and images from several companies
Window display installation at the entrance to the Breuninger department store
Addressing the topic with ads and images on social media
The patron of these and other actions is the mayor and deputy mayor for social affairs, health and diversity, Dr. Martina Münch.
Furthermore, we call for a large demonstration on November 25, 2025:
Our grief turns to anger – fight and defend yourselves!
Start: 3:00 PM Johannisplatz
Stopovers: Augustusplatz, Dittrichring near St. Thomas Church
End: 5:30 p.m. at the small Willy Brandt Square with memorial for femicide victims
Germany has a violence problem.
Violence against women and girls is a human rights violation that occurs in all regions of the world and in all areas of society – unfortunately, also in Germany. Gender-based violence ranges from everyday sexism to femicide. Most perpetrators are close to the women and girls they are targeting: intimate partner violence is the most common form of violence and includes physical, sexual, emotional, economic, and psychological violence.
Almost every day in Germany, a woman is killed by her (ex-)partner.
35 percent of all women experience physical, psychological and/or sexual violence at least once in their lives.
The Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) registered 265,942 cases of domestic violence in 2024 – more than ever before. 73 percent of the victims were women.
A media report analysis for 2024 identifies 171,100 cases of domestic violence – an increase of 1.9 percent compared to the previous year. 80 percent of the victims were women. (Source: Women’s Shelter Coordination Association)
This means that every four minutes a woman in Germany experiences violence at the hands of her partner or ex-partner.
63 percent of politically active women in Germany report experiencing digital violence.
Gender-based violence has long since permeated all areas of society – even democratic debate. According to a recent study by HateAid gGmbH and the Technical University of Munich, 63 percent of politically active women in Germany have already experienced digital violence – for example, in the form of insults, sexualized threats, or targeted hate campaigns.
The economic consequences are massive: According to the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE), gender-based violence in the EU costs around €366 billion annually, with approximately 80 percent of this attributable to violence against women. For Germany, this equates to damages exceeding €45 billion annually – through healthcare costs, absenteeism, and lost productivity. Violence against women is therefore not only a human rights violation but also a risk to the country’s economic stability and future societal viability.
What is needed is a comprehensive political strategy and equality at all levels.
UN Women Germany, with its Orange The World campaign, is calling for everyone to finally take joint action to sustainably end violence against women.
NOW! Implementation of the Istanbul Convention!
The Istanbul Convention must be fully, consistently, and swiftly implemented to protect all women and girls from gender-based violence and ensure their access to support systems. Far too little has been done so far! Survivors’ initiatives and women’s organizations are sounding the alarm. Where is the law on providing assistance to women and girls who have experienced violence? What about the attitudes and commitment of men?
Violence against women is still downplayed as a marginal phenomenon, with serious consequences for society as a whole. Victims and staff at support and counseling centers feel abandoned. Due to the close relationship between perpetrators and victims, a high number of unreported cases is also expected. “The number of cases is rising every year and is alarmingly high.”
“Enough is enough!” say the members of the two Leipzig Zonta Clubs and the Soroptimist International Club Leipzig. With Zonta International and Soroptimist International, thousands of women worldwide are committed to stopping this violence and finally granting all women the human right to a self-determined, healthy, and violence-free life.
NOW! Take a stand against violence against women and girls in your everyday life!
Join us in saying NO 