The Zonta Club of Brisbane East Inc, Australia, hosted a breakfast event during the 16 Days of Activism under the banner, “Paint the Bayside Orange.” Partnering with state and local members of Parliament, the breakfast brings together businesses, government officials, domestic and family violence service representatives and local community members across the bayside area of Brisbane.

Now in its 8th year, the breakfast initiative has progressed from an awareness and education campaign to providing tools for attendees to take action in saying NO to gender-based violence. Guests heard from the program manager of Small Steps for Hannah about their respectful relationships program that will be introduced in schools across Queensland in 2024.

The breakfast also provides an ongoing forum where key partners share their work and identify opportunities to work together in building support and services for survivors of domestic violence.

In a strategy to encourage all 44 clubs across Queensland and Northern New South Wales to engage with the 2023 Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women campaign, District 22, Australia, appointed a campaign coordinator. Initially, all clubs each identified a key contact person so that they could share their ideas and identify opportunities for collaborative efforts.

A calendar of events was created and posted on the district website, providing clubs with year-round access to events and ideas. The benefits of having the calendar included:

• All clubs actively took part in the campaign, sharing more social media posts and gaining publicity.
• Public walks increased across the state with walks undertaken by the Zonta clubs of Bundaberg Inc, Redcliffe Inc, Toowoomba Inc and Northern Rivers Inc. The Zonta clubs in Townsville had a joint effort, as did the capital city walk, where Zonta clubs in Brisbane, bayside, coastal, and scenic rim joined together for an evening walk through the city. The Zonta Club of Beaudesert Inc partnered with the local police for an inaugural walk.
• Affiliations and partnerships continued to grow. For instance, the Zonta clubs of Caboolture Inc and BundabergInc partnered with many sponsors for various activities. The Zonta Club of Brisbane North collaborated with Queensland Performing Arts, Brisbane Domestic Violence Services and Vulcana Circus to showcase the stories of women survivors.

Ten Zonta clubs in Brisbane, Australia, worked together to paint the city orange and unite with community members to say NO to gender-based violence during the 16 Days of Activism. In partnership with the Brisbane City Council, state government departments and businesses, the clubs:

• Illuminated key buildings, cathedrals, sculptures, bridges and multi-story car parks across the city in orange.
• Hanged large banners at the Story Bridge, sports grounds, and shopping centers.
• Displayed masses of “Orange Ladies” with safety information for survivors of domestic and family violence in inner city parks, businesses, ferry terminals and libraries.
• Lit a box in the city square to urge people to envision a world where no woman or girl shall live in fear for her life.

The clubs and friends gathered in the city square before city hall and took to the streets to raise awareness of the Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women campaign. They wore orange shirts to match the orange buildings, sculptures and bridges. In the following week, Zontians took to social media to post statistical and general information about the campaign and domestic and family violence.

For the sixth year, the Zonta Club of Punta del Este-Maldonado takes part in the 2023 Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women campaign. With support from the Pilots and Authorities of the Naval Air Command of the Navy in their city, this year’s theme was “Real Men only raise their voices to defend Women.”

The club wanted to reinforce the message give to their community, not only with Zontians wearing orange shirts and speaking against violence, but by involving men from highly respected organizations around the city. This action is very important to change old mentalities and stereotypes, mostly in Latin American countries that do not respect women’s rights or justify violence against women.

The club’s campaign was published in all local media and was high applauded and supported by authorities and the community. They could not have done this campaign without the support and participation of men saying only Real Men raise their voices to defend women.

The Zonta Club of Kauai’s, USA, 2023 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign was held on 29 November at the Kauai Society of Artists gallery at Kukui Grove Center.

Approximately 25 guests and Zonta members were present to bring awareness to the Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women campaign. The club partnered with the Kauai Society of Artists, YWMCA Kauai, AAUW Hawaii and Kukui Grove Center.

The Zonta Club of Corry Area, USA, recently observed the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence and Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women campaigns from 25 November to 10 December.

During the club’s recent car and cash raggle drawing fundraiser, they posed with a Zonta Says NO banner that hangs across a main street during the fall months to bring awareness to the cause.

Amidst the bright hues of dawn, banners unfurled with fiery determination as advocates of violence against women, girls and children gathered. Draped in orange as a symbol of activism, the Zonta Club of Tuguegarao, Philippines, forged a formidable tapestry, a united front against the darkness of bruises and marks of maltreatment.

On the day dedicated to advocating against Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG), the club, under the leadership of Club President Maria Olivia B. Pascual, and the Local Government Unit of Lal-lo headed by Florante C. Pascual, CPA, together with the Philippine National Police Lal-lo Station, Academe and the Z-club of Lal-lo National High School united in solidarity, conducted a symposium of Saying No to Violence Against Women and girls to the students of Cabayabasan National High School, Logac National High School, Magapit National High School and Lal-lo National High School.

“Know your rights! Speak up. The local government, the Zonta Club of Tuguegarao, the Z-club of Lal-lo National High School and our PNP Lal-lo are here to help victims of violence and abuse behind closed doors.” said Olivia as she encouraged students to help eradicate the scourge of abuse which will help foster hope for a safer community for every woman and girls.

Through symposiums, seminars, and online campaigns, the club aims to echo loud voices saying NO to violence against women and girls, demanding justice and empowerment to every Juana of the society.

The club and the Z Club of Lal-lo National High School painted the town orange. They conducted a Zumba in Orange event to signify standing strong together against violence. By embracing every Zumba step, participants can undertake celebrated strength and unity and hope to raise awareness and end violence against women.

Through this movement, the club encourages everyone to help violence victims, and through feeling the rhythm, participants moved and grooved together, reflecting a kaleidoscope of courage and solidarity. Zumba in Orange is a testament to the club’s collective journey from darkness to the bright hues of empowerment and support.

Everyone danced, laughed, and reclaimed their joy, reaffirming that unity conquers all, letting the rhythm of resilience echo far and wide as they stand firm against violence against women and girls wearing the orange banner of activism.

The club extends its heartfelt appreciation to the local government unit of Lal-lo through the leadership of Mayor Florante C. Pascual and all the government agencies and local school leaders for their support in building a better world for women and girls.

At the beginning of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, a few members from the Zonta e-Club of the United Kingdom joined Savera UK, a local organization, to march through the streets of Liverpool to raise awareness of violence against women. They were also joined by the Zonta Club of London.

The clubs marched with a Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women banner and handed out flyers on the way. Their story was also shared on the local news. It was an inspirational day with speakers who shared their own stories of survival.

The club raised awareness of the issue and gave others the courage to share their stories.

On 24 November, the Zonta Club of Kalmar, Sweden, was on site when the Kalmar Hockey Club played a match, where they and an announcer informed the 2,000 audience about Zonta and Orange Day.

Pictures about Zonta and the possibility of donating were also on the media box on the ceiling. The entire arena was lit up in orange, and the club received 10% of the sales that night. The club looks forward to continued cooperation with the hockey club.

During the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, the Zonta Club of Vienna I, Austria, organized several day spots to inform public transport riders about violence against women via info screens. By transmitting relevant facts on various topics, including international and local issues, they were able to reach a large number of people.

The club also illuminated bridges across the city in orange to raise further awareness. Kathrin Gaál, the vice mayor of Vienna, took part in a joint photo session to draw attention to this action.