Zonta clubs across Latvia organized a series of initiatives to combat gender-based violence.
The Zonta Club of Valmiera, Latvia, launched a book exhibition at the Valmiera Integrated Library titled “Scars. Visible and Invisible.” Featuring modern literature, the exhibition highlighted hidden forms of violence and encouraged public dialogue about abuse often kept silent. The collection included accounts of domestic violence in Latvia from women’s and teenagers’ perspectives, stories of African women facing forced marriage, and works addressing child exploitation, toxic adolescent relationships and systemic abuse in Egypt.
The Zonta Club of Riga marked the 16 Days of Activism with activities at the NGO House and the Riga Central Library Branch, combining public outreach with daily inspirational stories shared on Facebook.
Meanwhile, the Zonta Club of Ogre, Zonta e-Club of Latvia and Zonta Club of Jelgava strengthened digital engagement by posting daily slogans and stories on social media, emphasizing that violence is often a local issue and encouraging individuals to build awareness and resilience.
Members of the Zonta Club of Kankakee, USA, held a public book club discussion of “A Good Wife: Escaping the Life I Never Chose” by Dr. Samra Zafar. Hosted at a local woman-owned bookstore, the event created a welcoming space for meaningful dialogue on child marriage, culture, domestic violence, hope and resilience.
The club left copies of the book at the bookstore to be raffled and will also raffle additional copies to club members.
On 12 December, the Zonta Club of Isabela, Philippines, extended its 16 Days of Activism efforts by conducting multiple simultaneous advocacy programs across the province, underscoring its commitment to ending gender-based violence and combating online exploitation.
In San Manuel, Isabela, the club held a focused youth session at the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Institute (OLPI), gathering about 150 high school students and teachers for a lecture on digital safety. Club Vice President Judge Ramorelia Lodriguito-Caranay delivered an intensive discussion on the Anti-Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children and Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Material Law (RA 11930). Her presentation equipped students and educators with essential knowledge of their rights and the legal protections available against online predators. The club expressed gratitude to OLPI’s faculty and students for their active participation in this extended #ZontaSaysNO campaign effort.
At the same time, in Roxas, Isabela, the club launched a major symposium in partnership with the LGU of Roxas and with the support of Board Member Dok Totep Calderon. Held at Lado Del Rio, the event brought together nearly 100 school heads, administrators, guidance counselors and student leaders for a combined legal and mental health forum.
Board Member Calderon opened the program by emphasizing the importance of placing critical discussions on women’s safety and children’s protection directly within the community. The symposium featured key presentations addressing both digital and psychological impacts of violence. Dr. Shehee Binag-Director discussed cyberbullying and mental wellness, while Atty. Maria Teresa Alberto and Atty. Carol I. Donato covered RA 9995 (Anti-Photo and Video Voyeurism Act) and RA 11930 (Anti-OSAEC and CSAEM Act), respectively. A highly engaged question-and-answer session demonstrated the strong demand for legal clarity and digital safety education.
Judge Precious Lovely Olivia A. Sales-Jao, club charter president, closed the symposium by calling on participants to transform their learning into action and strengthen institutional safeguards for women and children. She reaffirmed the Zonta club of Isabela’s mission to build a better world for women and girls by ensuring every community in Isabela is informed, protected and empowered.
On 7 December, the Zonta Club of Pampanga, Philippines, successfully conducted a meaningful Violence Against Women and Children (VAWC) Awareness Talk at the Our Lady of Fatima Parish Church, under the gracious leadership of the Parish Priest, Rev. Father Emmanuel “Manny” Contreras. The activity was organized in line with the 16 Days of Activism to End Violence Against Women, reflecting the club’s steadfast commitment to empowering women, protecting children, and bringing up a safe and informed community. The event formally opened with a VAWC awareness lecture delivered by the invited resource speaker, Atty. Aura Eunice Santos, who provided comprehensive and insightful discussions on the legal framework of VAWC, the rights of women and children, and the available remedies and support systems for victims. Her clear, relatable, and empowering presentation greatly enhanced the participants’ understanding and awareness of the issue.
Following the lecture, a highly engaging and dynamic question-and-answer portion ensued, marked by active audience participation. Numerous attendees confidently raised questions and sought practical advice, demonstrating their genuine interest and concern for the topic. Notably, two gentlemen from the audience also participated, emphasizing that advocacy against violence is a shared responsibility of all genders. Rev. Father Emmanuel “Manny” Contreras himself joined the discussion, further enriching the exchange with thoughtful insights and light-hearted remarks that created an atmosphere of openness, learning, and even moments of laughter. The lively interaction underscored the success of the activity in breaking barriers and encouraging honest dialogue within the community.
The project benefited 55 parents and mothers from the local community, equipping them with vital knowledge and awareness on VAWC. The activity was attended by three Zontian members, Gina Millan, President of the Zonta Club of Pampanga; VP Leonor R. Bais; and Past President Gilda Padua, along with five non-Zontian participants. Their presence highlighted the collective spirit of collaboration and advocacy that made the project a resounding success. Overall, the activity not only fulfilled its objectives but also strengthened community engagement, awareness, and commitment to ending violence against women and children.
The club expanded its advocacy further on 6 December through a radio program aired on 91.9 Bright FM in San Fernando City. The broadcast featured Atty. Karen Guevarra and Pampanga Club President Gina Rosario Millan, who discussed violence against women, preventive strategies and community support mechanisms. They also highlighted recent Zonta initiatives and ongoing projects aimed at advancing women’s empowerment in Pampanga.
Hosted by Ma’am Vee and Ma’am Jo, the radio segment broadened the club’s reach and ensured key messages on women’s rights and protection were communicated to a wider audience. This engagement strengthened the impact of the campaign by harnessing mass media to amplify public awareness and encourage community action.
As part of the “Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women and Girls” campaign, the Zonta Club of Irenopolis–Stara Zagora, Bulgaria, organized a moving musical and poetic performance on 3 December 2025 to honor the strength, resilience and beauty of women. The event aimed to show how women’s tenderness, creativity and inner power can counterbalance violence and aggression, fostering a more peaceful and compassionate society.
The large-scale initiative transformed the city of Stara Zagora into an orange beacon of solidarity and public engagement. Onstage at the Regional Library, club members read poems celebrating women, while children, artists and young musicians filled the hall with music, light and hope.
Through this artistic program, the Zonta Club delivered a clear and heartfelt message: a world free from violence is possible when empathy, dignity and unity guide collective action.
The Zonta Club of Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, has donated urgently needed vitamins, immune-supporting products, sanitary supplies, clothing and other essential items to girls and children residing at the Anti-Violence Center’s shelter. The support aims to help strengthen the health and well-being of young survivors seeking safety and recovery.
In addition to the donations, the club partnered with trainers from the Center Against Violence to conduct a series of educational sessions designed to protect adolescents from bullying both in schools and online.
Front Row: Edie Barans, Janesville; Nancy Abraham, Madison; Barbara Burchfield, Madison; Pam Duane, Madison; Cathy Myers, Janesville; Edna Feldman-Schultz, Janesville; Sally Bean, E-Club of USA3. Back Row: Lori Hanewold, Janesville; Laura Curtiss, Madison; Amber Vaughn Glass, Janesville; Rep Clint Anderson, D-Beloit; Sen Mark Spreitzer, D-Beloit; JoAnn Gruber-Hagen, Madison; Debora Hoard, Madison; Gail Zaleski, E-Club of USA3. Missing from picture: Ellen Ermer, Madison; Fatou Ceesay, Madison; Donna Conant, Milwaukee; Donna Neal, Milwaukee.
On 18 November, members of the Zonta Clubs of Janesville, Madison, Milwaukee and the e-Club of USA 3 gathered at the Wisconsin State Capitol for a coordinated Lobby Day focused on ending child marriage and supporting the Wisconsin Equal Rights Amendment (WI ERA). Zontians secured 30 scheduled appointments with legislators and staff, engaging in productive conversations about the Child Marriage Bill (AB 656/SB 634) and the need to strengthen legal protections for women and girls.
For lawmakers without scheduled appointments, Zontians visited offices to speak with staffers briefly and provide informational materials. Advocacy packets included summaries of both legislative issues and a small symbolic pillow featuring wedding rings and a business card with a QR code linking to more details about the child marriage issue.
The lobby effort produced additional co-sponsors signing onto the Child Marriage Bill. Zontians are now developing a follow-up plan, including a targeted social media campaign encouraging constituents in key districts to contact their representatives. Members also plan to mobilize friends and allies living in those areas to amplify posts and make supportive calls.
As part of the Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women campaign, members of the Zonta Club Montevideo, Uruguay, Board appeared on a local morning television program to raise awareness about gender-based violence and highlight Zonta’s mission to build a better world for women and girls.
During the segment, board members introduced Zonta International, shared the club’s story and spoke about the ongoing challenges women face globally and locally. When asked about the issues still needing to be addressed at the global and local levels, they explained the significance of the 16 Days of Activism. They outlined how the Zonta Says NO campaign is implemented both in Uruguay and by clubs worldwide from 25 November to 10 December.
The program featured slides displaying the Zonta Montevideo logo and key statistics on domestic violence, helping viewers understand the urgency of the issue. Following the broadcast, the club received numerous phone calls and emails from community members seeking more information about Zonta’s mission.
On 8 December, 2025, seven Zonta Clubs in Hong Kong — Zonta Club of Hong Kong, Zonta Club of Kowloon, Zonta Club of Hong Kong East, Zonta Club of The New Territories, Zonta Club of Victoria Hong Kong, Zonta Club of Hong Kong II, and Zonta Club of The New Territories II— joined forces to support the Po Leung Kuk’s mobile art exhibition “Violence? Love!!: A Voyage of Discovery”, which aims to educate the community about domestic violence and related family crisis support services. This event played a key part of this year’s “16 Days of Activism” under the “Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women” campaign.
Zonta International District 17 Governor Mrs. Winnie Wong, Zonta International District 17 Area 2 Director Ms. Thelma Tong, presidents of the seven Zonta Clubs in Hong Kong, and the Chairman of Po Leung Kuk Ms. Amanda Ho, JP were all in attendance at the launch.
Wong stated in her address, “Today, Zonta International and the seven Zonta Clubs in Hong Kong are delighted to support the Po Leung Kuk’s ‘Violence? Love!!: A Voyage of Discovery’ mobile art exhibition, which aims to raise public awareness about domestic violence. Zonta is committed to advancing the status of women through service and advocacy. The annual ‘Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women’ campaign and its ‘16 Days of Activism’, which begins on the United Nation’s (UN) International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on 25 November and concludes on the UN’s International Human Rights Day on 10 December, are aligned with the UN’s call to mobilise all sectors of society in support of gender equality and women’s rights.”
Chairman of Po Leung Kuk Ms Amanda Ho, JP, explained that through the voices and stories of victims of domestic abuse, the exhibition highlights that domestic violence often lies hidden within everyday life. The courage and transformation of every survivor deserve to be heard and supported by everyone. Through the exhibition, which also highlights the Po Leung Kuk’s support services, the Po Leung Kuk not only walks alongside affected families but also aims to show how to build healthier and happier families.
The “Violence? Love!!: A Voyage of Discovery” mobile art exhibition vehicle will tour Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the New Territories from 8 to 14 December, including stops in Causeway Bay, Wan Chai, Mong Kok, Wong Tai Sin, Tai Wai and Tsuen Wan. Entry is free of charge.
The exhibition features interactive experience zones, allowing visitors to understand the reality of domestic violence and the possibility of transforming “violence” into “love”. This includes “The True Stories of Seven Weapons”, through activities and personal stories, inspires visitors to build positive family relationships.
As the final program of the global UNiTE to End Violence Against Women Campaign, the Zonta Club Kathmandu, Nepal, in partnership with the Nepal Police Cyber Bureau, hosted a cybercrime awareness event on 10 December for representatives from corporate organizations. DIG Nabindra Aryal of Nepal Police attended as the chief guest.
In her opening remarks, Club President Bina Rana introduced Zonta International and the Zonta Club Kathmandu, reaffirming the organization’s mission to empower women through advocacy and service. VAW Committee Chair Shreeyukta Thapaliya emphasized that each year, through the Zonta Says No campaign, the club works to raise awareness, engage communities and take action to end violence against women and girls.
SP Deepak Raj Awasthi of the Nepal Police Cyber Bureau delivered a presentation titled Inside the Digital Battlefield, focusing on cybercrime trends and cyber safety for all users. Legal expert Shiivali Joshi followed with a briefing on digital violence and practical steps for seeking legal remedies. Former District 25 Governor Shreejana Rana offered special remarks reinforcing Zonta’s long-standing commitment to advocacy.
As the 16 Days of Activism campaign drew to a close, participants—including Zontians, corporate leaders, legal professionals and law-enforcement officials—renewed their commitment to fostering safer digital spaces, particularly in the workplace. Attendees stressed the importance of strong policies, accountability and continued collaboration with the Cyber Bureau and legal experts to prevent and respond to digital violence.
A central message echoed throughout the event: ending digital violence requires collective responsibility from families, schools, corporations, law-enforcement agencies and civil society. Advocacy Committee Chair Neelima Shrestha delivered the vote of thanks.
Join us in saying NO 