On 8 November, Zontians from District 31, Mongolia and Taiwan, celebrated Zonta’s 105 birthday in a chartered yacht ride while advocating gender equality and saying NO to violence against women and girls.

Forty Zontians from seven clubs, including four past District 31 governors, joined the ride in Kaohsiung Harbor, southern Taiwan. The event was sponsored by Jastina Chen, a Zonta Club of Kaohsiung Yu-Hsiuan member, who was district secretary from 2018 to 2020. Past governor May Wen from the Zonta Club of Kaohsiung Yu-Hsiuan and several other club members helped organize the celebration.

During the one-and-a-half-hour harbor tour, senior Zontians also shared their experiences in serving Zonta while urging younger ones to contribute innovative ideas in recruiting new members and spreading Zonta spirit.

The Zontians from different parts of Taiwan also took the opportunity to visit the historic site of the British Consulate at Takow, a complex built in 1865, to learn the culture and architectural style more than a century ago in Kaohsiung.

As part of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, the Zonta Club of Accra Jubilee, Ghana, organized a dynamic self-defense class and a fundraiser to spark change in their community. 

Self-defense class

The club’s self-defense class was a passive learning experience and a platform for women to actively participate and equip themselves with essential skills to protect themselves. The event saw a strong turnout, with nearly 20 women eagerly engaging in the learning process and enhancing their self-defense capabilities. 

The class featured skilled professionals who guided participants through self-defense techniques and strategies. From basic maneuvers to more advanced tactics, attendees gained practical knowledge and confidence in their ability to defend themselves in potentially dangerous situations.

Opening the class to the public allowed the club to reach a broad audience and provide valuable self-defense training for women of all ages and backgrounds. The event emphasized the importance of proactive measures in preventing gender-based violence and promoting personal safety and empowerment. Through the self-defense class, the club reaffirmed its commitment to supporting women’s rights and combating gender-based violence. The club strives to create a safer and more secure community for all by equipping women with the tools and knowledge to protect themselves. 

Participant feedback highlighted the event’s significance, with one attendee expressing, “Attending the self-defense class was empowering. I feel more confident and prepared to handle challenging situations. Thank you to the club for organizing such an impactful event.” 

As part of its ongoing efforts to promote gender equality and social justice, the club remains dedicated to providing resources and support to empower women and combat gender-based violence. The self-defense class is a tangible expression of its commitment to fostering a culture of safety, empowerment and respect for all individuals.

Fundraiser for change

The club organized a remarkable fundraising event, “Light Up Accra,” held at the prestigious Silver Star Towers building. This event marked the commencement of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence with a powerful initiative to raise awareness and support for this crucial cause.

The building was illuminated in orange, symbolizing solidarity and hope for survivors of gender-based violence. This striking display captivated the attention of the community, serving as a visual reminder of the urgent need to address and eradicate gender-based violence. 

The fundraising event kicked off with a vibrant gathering of community members, activists and supporters united in their commitment to ending gender-based violence. Through various activities and initiatives, attendees had the opportunity to contribute to the cause and show their support for survivors. 

The event was a fundraiser and a platform for education and advocacy. Speakers shared powerful stories and statistics, shedding light on the prevalence and impact of gender-based violence in their society. Discussions and workshops provided valuable insights into ways to prevent and address the issue, fostering a sense of empowerment and solidarity among attendees. It also epitomizes the club’s mission to empower women and eliminate violence against them. They strive to create a safer and more equitable society by raising awareness and funds to support survivors. 

Through the collective efforts of the club, partners and supporters, the event surpassed its fundraising goals and generated significant momentum for the 16 Days of Activism campaign. This event raised vital funds for support services, sparked crucial conversations and inspired meaningful action within the community. 

As the club continues to advocate for gender equality and social justice, events like “Light Up Accra” are powerful reminders of the collective strength and determination needed to create a world free from violence and discrimination. 

In the words of one attendee, “Tonight’s event was not just about raising funds; it was about raising awareness and standing in solidarity with survivors. The club’s initiative has inspired me to become more involved in ending gender-based violence and to work towards a future where everyone feels safe and respected.”

The Zonta Club of Little Belt, Denmark, hosted a successful fundraising Banko and Bobler event on 17 March. 

Under a cozy atmosphere, sponsors willingly donated prizes for the day, and all proceeds went to Zonta’s and the UN’s efforts to end child marriage.

As soon as its Zonta Says NO banner was ordered, the Zonta Club of Oahu, USA, prepared its 12-month plan, committing to at least one “pop-up” event monthly and at least four events during the 2023 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign.

As a club or by partnering with like-minded organizations, the members have “popped up” at the Hawaii State Capitol, the Convention Center, a major shopping center, a park, film screenings and an art museum to say NO to violence against women.

For the last few years, Zonta clubs in Denmark have developed a free platform, https://goalfive.org, with teaching modules available for all secondary school teachers. In 2023, the platform grew with more training modules. As a culmination of the work, the clubs arrange several day events on 22 November in connection with the 16 Days of Activism.

The participants were teachers and students of all genders from nine high schools: Aalborg Cathedral School, Risskov High School, Viborg Cathedral School, Aarhus High School, Tilst -EUX, Haderslev Cathedral School, Aabenraa State School, The Blue Highschool and Stenhus Highschool. The events were held in four cities: Aalborg Aarhus, Aabenraa and Holbæk. The Zonta clubs organizing the events were Aarhus I, Aarhus II, Aalborg, Aabenraa, Holbæk  and the new coming Golden Z Aarhus.

The clubs then hosted a whole-day “Barriers to Gender Equality?” event in high schools. The event was a study day focusing on equality issues with six overall themes: gender, working life, teaching, education, sexual consent, and boundaries and equality in the home. The clubs spent a day engaging with students and teachers about their thoughts, discussions and input on all gender equality issues.

Before the events, the clubs created a film with participation from the minister for digitalization and gender equality, influencers and representatives from women’s and men’s organizations: https://youtu.be/70U-_lv6lrI.

The events were very impactful as students, the new generation, took ownership of the process, participated actively in the debates and working groups and prepared visual material with their viewpoints about how a future based on gender equality should be. And all genders contributed to the successful outcome.

The link to Zonta’s mission and vision was evident throughout the event, as all contributed very actively to define what is needed to “build a better world for women and girls.” Advocacy has a growing focus for clubs in Denmark, and although the events took place in only four cities, they plan to repeat the event in many more cities in the future.

The events have made Zonta’s work better known in Denmark and increased the recognition of Zonta as a critical player working on gender equality and a life free of violence for all women and girls. The minister’s contribution, among others, is proof of this in the video created.

The products generated by the students have been displayed not only in the high schools but also at the local libraries. Therefore, the clubs are convinced that the events held will significantly impact the local communities as the students themselves define the path forward.