Those in the area may begin to see colorful yard signs displayed throughout the community to raise awareness for one of Zonta’s primary causes, ending violence against women.
The local Porterville Zonta club is participating in the Zonta International 16 Days of Activism. During the 16 Days of Activism, all Zonta Clubs are encouraged to take part in the Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women campaign and to bring local awareness to the issue. Club member are asked to display yard signs through the community to bring awareness to the campaign.
The campaign began on November 25, International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, and ends on December 10, International Human Rights Day.
Launched in 2012, the 16 Days of Activism has raised awareness across the globe of women’s rights violations and has united Zonta clubs worldwide in conducting advocacy actions to fight violence against women.
The Zonta Club of Porterville has partnered with the Porterville College Library and the Central California Family Crisis Center to create a memorable display that’s both informative and impactful. Community members are encouraged to visit the display. The library is open form 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 7 a.m. to on on Fridays until December 8 when the library will close for the holidays. Parking is free.
Porterville Zonta Club will also participate in the Porterville Children’s Christmas Parade to be held on Thursday, November 30 on Main Street at 7 p.m.. Club members and local Z Club students will participate on the club’s decorated float and will help spread the word violence against women has no place in the community.
In addition on Saturday, December 2 the club will hosting its 28th Annual Christmas Home Tour. Tickets are $35 and available from club members and at the following locations: Harris Home Furnishings, Horowitz Jewelers, OACYS Technology, Stafford’s Chocolates, The Flower Mill and Java Express in Springville.
While the event isn’t considered an official part of the club’s advocacy for the 16 Days, guests will help support the efforts to end violence against women. Six homes to and an Artisan Boutique to do some Christmas shopping at the Myers Funeral Service and Crematory Reception Center, formally the Porterville Women’s Club, will be featured in the tour.
For more than 75 years, the Zonta Club of Porterville along with Zonta International have envisioned a world in which women’s rights are recognized as human rights and every woman is able to achieve her full potential. Those who are interested in joining while working to help support women locally and worldwide can visit www.zontaclubofporterville.org to fill out an application. The club can also be followed on Facebook and Instagram for club events and updates.
Now that the political signs have come down, you may notice a different type of yard sign in about 15 places throughout the Corry area.
Those signs say, “Zonta Says No to Violence Against Women.” They are being displayed by members of the Zonta Club of the Corry Area from Nov. 25 to Dec. 10. During this time, known as 16 Days of Activism, Zonta clubs worldwide focus on ending gender-based violence in all its forms.
As members of Zonta International, the Zonta Club of the Corry Area works year-round to support Zonta’s mission of “empowering women through service and advocacy.” Zonta International is a leading global organization of professionals building a better world for women and girls.
The main goal of Zonta International’s advocacy is eliminating gender-based violence against women. That advocacy includes observing 16 Days of Activism, which focuses on “Zonta Says No to Violence Against Women, Child Marriage and Teenage Pregnancy.”
The campaign seeks to get more people to speak up and act. Through a multitude of events, projects and advocacy efforts, Zonta clubs and members around the world are dedicated to ending gender-based violence.
Connie Cooper is the president of the Zonta Club of the Corry Area. She said the club has set a goal to raise awareness of and take action to prevent gender-based violence during 16 Days of Activism.
“Follow our Facebook page for daily messages highlighting the issues surrounding and actions you can take toward ending violence against women and girls. Please ‘like’ and ‘share’ every day to spread the message.”
Anyone can view the page, join the campaign to end violence against women and share the messages by going to Facebook.com/Zonta Club of Corry.
On Nov. 8, Zonta International celebrated its 104th anniversary. For Zonta’s 100th anniversary in 2019, the Corry Zonta club purchased a yellow banner with the theme “Zonta Says No to Violence Against Women” in black letters. The banner also shows the symbol of Zonta. For a few weeks each summer, the banner is displayed across North Center Street to spread the word to the Corry community about Zonta’s mission.
But the Corry Zonta club does so much more. Zonta International’s ongoing service efforts are demonstrated through numerous local projects, programs and partnerships with the United Nations and its agencies.
Zonta International President Ute Scholz said Zonta envisions a world where no woman must live in fear of violence.
“Through the ‘Zonta Says No to Violence Against Women’ campaign, our members and allies stand together, uniting our voices to advocate for all those who have suffered gender-based violence,” Scholz said. “Zonta is needed now, more than ever, to continue its work to end violence and build a better world for women and girls.”
Cooper said locally, the Zonta Club of Corry supports the efforts of Safe Journey – a shelter for women and children who are victims of domestic abuse, and its affiliate, Purple One – both financially and with service projects.
“Specifically, during 16 Days of Activism, the members of the Zonta Club of Corry donate Christmas gift bags filled with essential items to be given to women and children in shelters who are fleeing domestic violence with the hope of bringing a little joy to their world during the holidays,” Cooper said.
During the club’s Nov. 16 meeting, guest speakers were Erie County Assistant District Attorney Rob Ferguson, who heads up the county Domestic Violence unit, and Erie County Public Defender Nicole Sloane Kondrlik. They spoke about the domestic violence program, including what police officers do when they respond to a domestic call and the services available to victims and offenders. Ferguson said though domestic abuse cases are down overall in Erie County compared to previous years, there are still repeat offenders and repeat victims.
In the past, the Corry Zonta club had a program specialist at Safe Journey speak about PurpleOne, a bystander intervention program where victims can seek help from trained individuals. Zonta members Christine Cobb, left, and Bev Burton show some of the many Christmas gifts the Zonta Club of Corry is donating to Safe Journey for victims of domestic violence.Maryann Mook/The Corry Journal
Also, Erie County District Attorney Elizabeth Hirz has spoken about the widespread challenges facing women and girls in Erie County and practices put into place to help them.
The Corry Zonta club also volunteers for Shower the Shelter, when members ask the community to donate essential items to Safe Journey for victims of domestic abuse.
The Corry club is a member of District 4, Area 5. District 4 includes 31 clubs with about 620 members from eastern Ontario, Canada, to western New York and Pennsylvania states. District 4 was home to the first Zonta club, established in Buffalo, N.Y., in 1919.
Sheena Poole, of Ontario, is the District 4 governor. She said the international Zonta Says No campaign brings 62 countries, 1,103 clubs and 26,790 members together to say no to violence against women.
Violence against women and girls threatens countries, inhibits economic progress and prevents women from contributing to their community and creating better lives for themselves and their families, according to Zonta International.
Cooper said the Zonta Club of Corry is more than willing to join in the effort to halt violence against women and girls. “I am proud of the women in our local club who selflessly give and advocate so others can have a better life,” Cooper said. “The need is great in our local community, and we are here to help in any way we can.”
In addition to Cooper, officers of the Corry club are Marie Zamiska, second vice president; Reva Lowry, treasurer; Maryann Mook, secretary; and board members Barb Diehl and Donna VanTassel. The office of first vice president is vacant.
Buildings and landmarks in Liverpool will be illuminated bright orange on Saturday 25th November, as part of an international campaign aimed at ending gender-based violence.
The colour orange, used in the global “Orange the World” campaign, is intended to be a symbol of hope for a brighter future, free of violence or abuse, a message supported by Savera UK’s “No Excuse for Abuse” campaign.
City landmarks that will illuminate orange include St John’s Beacon, Liverpool Town Hall, St George’s Hall, World Museum Liverpool and Merseyside Police Headquarters.
The illumination will take place on the same day that charities Savera UK and Zonta UK will march through Liverpool city centre from Williamson Square to call for an end to ‘honour’-based abuse (HBA), harmful practices and all forms of gender-based abuse, after Savera UK has seen an increase of almost 6% in new referrals into its service and a continuing growth in demand.
The event will start at 1:45pm with a drumming performance from Katumba and some short speeches before the march will begin, heading through town with Movema’s Sankofa and Liver Birds performing to celebrate the beauty of culture. There will be a further stop along the route when Savera UK survivor ambassador, Khatra Paterson, will share her story, and readings from Savera UK’s own clients will also be shared.
Savera UK is a leading national organisation that helps survivors and those at risk of HBA and harmful practices, which include forced marriage, female genital mutilation (FGM) and conversion therapy. Zonta UK is part of Zonta International, a global organisation that stands for women’s rights and advocates for equality, education and an end to child marriage and gender-based violence.
Each year, the 25th of November marks the UN International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and the start of the United Nation’s “Orange the World” campaign and annual 16 days of activism against gender-based violence campaign. The #16Days campaign ends on Sunday 10th December, Human Rights Day, when a number of the participating landmarks are expected to light up orange once again in a show of solidarity and support.
(L-R) Sandra Tuddenham, Faye Juetz, Hobsons Bay mayor Matt Tyler, Elizabeth Kirkpatrick, Jenny Moynahan from Zonta. (Julia Forte)
Hobsons Bay council is supporting 16 Days of Activism, the global campaign against gender-based violence.
The campaign runs from International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women on Saturday, November 25, to International Human Rights Day on December 10.
It aims to raise awareness about violence against women and its impact on a woman’s physical, psychological and social wellbeing, and economic security.
It also encourages everyone to work together to prevent violence against women.
The council is partnering with several community groups and organisations to help raise awareness of the campaign, including Zonta Club of the west, Latitude: Directions for Young People, Outlets Co-operative Neighbourhood House and Laverton Community Integrated Services.
The council said throughout the 16 days, the front of Altona Theatre will be lit in orange and an awareness campaign will be visible around Hobsons Bay highlighting community organisations taking a stand against gender-based violence and providing information on support services for survivors.
Hobsons Bay mayor Matt Tyler said this is a national emergency that warrants greater attention.
“In 2023, Australia is on track to surpass the annual average of one woman per week being killed by a man she knows,” he said. “This campaign is about raising awareness of this devastating issue in our society and working towards a solution. Every one of us has a role to play in preventing violence against women– not just through the 16 Days of Activism, but every day.
“I’ll be joining Respect Victoria’s Walk Against Family Violence on Thursday, November 24 and I’d encourage folks across our community to join us.
“I’m pleased council is working with some fantastic community organisations that are doing great work that contributes towards preventing violence.”
BREVARD COUNTY — If you see a business or home with orange lights out front, it’s not because they’re feeling festive this fall. The Zonta Club of Melbourne has put out a call for action to light the sky orange as part of its “Say NO to Violence Against Women” campaign from Nov. 25 to Dec. 10.
The public is invited to support the nonprofit’s luminaria fundraiser and join the Zonta Club on Dec. 8 at 7:30 p.m. to “Light up the Sky.”
For $10, donors will receive a kit with six luminaries to line up their driveway or entrance.
Residents are encouraged to replace the lights outside their homes with orange bulbs throughout the 16 Days of Activism campaign. Orange light bulbs can be purchased from Home Depot.
A growing list of businesses continues to join in the campaign each year, too. Interested owners can contact zontaclub.melbourne.fl@gmail.com and the Zonta Club can deliver bulbs to its door.
“My hope is not only to talk about and educate the public about violence done to women but to talk about and do something about the people who do the violence,” said Doris Larson, Zonta Club of Melbourne member. “Quit looking at women as victims and let’s look at the perpetrators and see what we can do to fix that.”
The Zonta Club of Melbourne is part of a larger organization, Zonta International, which stands for women’s rights.
Violence against women has many facets: human trafficking, domestic violence, women living in conflict areas, and early marriage. According to the Zonta Club of Melbourne’s website, three women die daily as a result of domestic violence and 75% are killed when trying to leave or end the relationship.
The 16 Days of Activism campaign is a worldwide effort, and even tourist areas such as the Eiffel Tower and Niagara Falls have been lit up in orange in the past.
So why choose this specific time of year to promote 16 Days of Activism?
November 25 is recognized as International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, and December 10 is recognized as Human Rights Day.
“We’ve had several successes in laws being passed with regard to making it easier for women to get out of abusive relationships,” Larson said. “We’ve educated all the police departments to be aware of domestic violence, and especially strangulation.”
In addition to these victories, Larson said it’s now possible that if a strangulation can be documented, the woman doesn’t have to testify against her abuser.
The Zonta Club of Melbourne supports domestic violence shelters and has been involved with programs that help women leave their abuser.
The 16 Days of Activism campaign is just one of many year-round efforts in which the Zonta Club of Melbourne aims to educate the public.
Proceeds raised by the luminaries supports domestic violence shelters, Zonta Club scholarships, and its many projects that promote the end to violence against women.
For more information about how to get involved or to keep an eye on further campaigns, visit www.zontaspacecoast.org.
The City of Greater Geelong will demonstrate its commitment to a world where everyone is respected by supporting the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, an international campaign beginning on 25 November 2023, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.
The initiative runs for 16 days until Sunday 10 December 2023 – Human Rights Day.
The City will demonstrate its support for the campaign in collaboration with Respect 2040, by promoting events and initiatives by other Geelong organisations engaging in the 16 Days of Activism campaign, including:
The launch of the 16 Days at Johnstone Park led by The Zonta Club of Geelong on Saturday 25 November 2023 with guest speakers, including the Mayor of the City of Greater Geelong, and a choir.
A walk in my shoes display in the Geelong Regional Library with Zonta Club and orange ladies in all libraries.
A Lived Experience Exhibition: Our stories for change – at the Project Space (Gallery) at Deakin Waterfront Campus by the Centre for Sexual Assault and Family Violence in collaboration with partners.
The City will also join local partners to light City landmarks orange, with the colour orange symbolising a brighter future free of violence. Landmarks will include:
The City’s Catenary Lights – Little Malop Central, between Moorabool Street and Union Street in central Geelong
Eastern Beach Palm tree up-lights on the intersection of Bellerine Street and Eastern Beach Road
The strip light along Fairnie Park
The City’s SMART Nodes at:
Deakin Waterfront
Barwon Water
University Hospital
Kardinia Park
The Gordon
Yarn tree bombing decorating trees in orange around the City by Zonta Club Geelong
Nov. 24—For another year, an Austin service club that advocates for women and young girls, will be taking a stand against violence during its Zonta Says No to Violence Against Women.
The 16-day initiative, starting Saturday and going through Dec. 10, is an initiative whose platform stands against violence to women.
“This time of year violence rises so much because of the holiday,” Austin Zonta Club President Cheryl Retterath said. “People are stressed for money — different things cause a lot of violence. We want to stop that violence.”
According to pamphlets distributed across Austin by Zonta, 30% or about one in three women, have experienced either physical and/or sexual violence from partners.
In 2012 the international Zonta organization began its 16-day period devoted to this advocacy, which this year includes the theme of Orange the World, something Zonta will be pushing for more of in the coming years.
During the campaign, people are urged to display orange lights during the time period showing support for the effort.
In Austin, signs have been placed at major intersections, orange flags fly at the downtown Peace Plaza and the flyers have been placed in businesses around town.
The message is the same throughout.
“Basically be kind,” Retterath said. “Everybody is going through problems at times, going through COVID and everything else. If everybody showed a little bit of kindness the world would be a better place.”
However, Zonta Says No to Violence Against Women, is just one of the things the club does to honor and support women and girls. Over the years, the Austin chapter, formed in 1951, has taken part in a number of projects and has grown and strengthened each year.
The group raises funds to donate locally to programs like More than Pink, a group devoted to young girls in Austin. Zonta donates pink backpacks with personal items that girls may not otherwise receive.
They also donate locally to groups like Rachel’s Hope.
KATHMANDU, NOVEMBER 26 Zonta Club Kathmandu organized an awareness program in association with the women’s wing of Armed Police Force and Ncell as part of 16 Days Activism on Gender-Based Violence program by Zonta Club Kathmandu, today.
The event, attended by Chief Guest AIG Chandra Prakash Gautam, witnessed participation of women from all 32 wards of Kathmandu, along with APF ladies and Zonta club members. A skit was showcased which raised the different issues faced by women. There was also sharing of legal rights pertaining to women in Nepal. Yashmine Bhattarai, Ncell, shared information on information security within an organization and outside to raised awareness about cyber security, according to the statement issued by the Zonta Club Kathmandu.
As part of the 16 days activism on gender-based violence, Zonta Club of Kathmandu is also showcasing four different videos pertaining to child marriage, domestic violence, office harassment and sexual abuse on public transportation in 31 screens of QFX cinemas in 13 locations. The members of the youth wing of Zonta – Z and Golden Z club from Sanskriti International School, NAMI College and Silver Mountain School of Hotel Management, are sharing their voice to raise awareness about gender-based violence in the different social media platforms of Zonta Club of Kathmandu, the statement added.
Photo Courtesy: Zonta Club Kathmandu
“Our campaign will not be limited to 16 days only,” said Zonta Club of Kathmandu president Ava Shah. “Our campaign that began today will continue for 16 days, 16 weeks, 16 months and move ahead until the violence against women and children is gone.” Senior Advocate Suneeta Regmi Pokhrel spoke on women’s rights saying the campaign should be all year round to spread the world about laws and regulations that protect women’s rights.
Ncell’s Yasmine Bhattarai highlighted cybercrimes on women and risks that come when using the social medial and internet and identity thefts through cyberspace, keeping personal phones secure and passwords safe.
Photo Courtesy: Zonta Club Kathmandu
Meanwhile, APF AIG Chandra Prakash Gautam expressed commitment to work to safeguard women’s rights and to end violence on women and children.
Zonta International, a leading global organization founded in New York in 1919 envisions a world in which women’s rights are recognized as human rights and every woman is able to achieve her full potential. In a world where women have access to all resources, they are represented in decision making positions on an equal basis with men and no women live in fear of violence. This is being achieved through 1,200 Zonta Clubs in 63 countries across the globe by more than 29,000 Zontians committed to the professionalism, fellowship and service of Zonta’s visionary founders, Zonta Club Kathmandu said.
Photo Courtesy: Zonta Club Kathmandu
Zonta Club Kathmandu was chartered under Zonta International and established in 2012. It is a legally registered NGO in Kathmandu, represented by 64 members from diverse backgrounds. “We come to work voluntarily on the advancement of the status of women with the objective to improve the economic, education, health, and issues related to youth and violence against women at the national and local level through service and advocacy,” it said.
Observing the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, the globally recognized service organization Zonta International began its annual “16 Days of Activism” campaign against gender-based violence on Saturday. All six Zonta Clubs in Bangladesh observed the day.
The campaign will include a number of events and activities aimed at eliminating violence against women and girls in society and advancing women’s rights – beginning on November 25 and running through December 10, International Human Rights Day. Read: Zonta Clubs of Bangladesh commemorate UN day
Members of all Zonta clubs in Dhaka gathered and held a rally on Saturday at Justice Shahabuddin Ahmed Park in Gulshan to advocate for women’s rights, eliminating child marriage, and raising awareness for gender-equal climate action.
Wearing the thematic orange t-shirts with the Zonta logo and carrying banners and placards in English and Bangla, Zonta Club members held a procession in the park and shared their viewpoints and agenda.
It was followed by a discussion programme held at the Gulshan Ladies Community Club which was addressed by Nilufer Zafarullah, Chair of the Zonta District 25 Area 2 Advocacy Committee; Dr Zareen Delawar Hussain, District 25 Governor-Elect; Farahnaz Qaiyum, Area Director of D-25, Area-2; Zaheda Samdani, Vice Area Director of D-25, Area-2; and Dilruba Ahmed, District 25 Rules and Resolutions Committee Chair.
Talking about the initiatives, Nilufer Zafarullah said, “Zonta District 25 is made up of four neighboring countries: Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, and Nepal. Area 2 of this unit is made up of Bangladesh and Nepal, and the same activities are being held in Nepal.” Describing the mission, vision and activities of the club, District 25 Governor-Elect Dr Zareen Delawar Hussain said, “As of now, Zonta International is globally operating with more than one thousand club units which build a supportive community of more than 0.2 million like-minded professional women around the world. In Bangladesh, we have five clubs in Dhaka and one in Chattogram.”
“Two months ago, we observed the 104th founding anniversary of the Zonta International. Our goal is to raise our united voices to prevent violence against women in our society, to eradicate child marriage and the dowry system, and to empower our children and women with education,” she added.
“In this journey of togetherness, we also want our boys and men to join us and raise a unified voice towards violence against women. We need to establish a society where our girls and women can feel safe which is required for their progress; and we will run our advocacy and awareness programmes in these 16 days including media interviews, campaigns and visits to different educational institutions and more,” Dr Zareen Delawar Hussain told UNB.
The discussion was also accompanied by a candle-lighting ceremony with all the dignitaries as symbolic of the hope and determination of Zonta Club members in their mission.
The Zonta Club of Waimakariri, New Zealand, collaborated with the South Island White Ribbon Riders and their local council to bring awareness to the Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women campaign in their local town of Rangiora. They painted doors with the message, “Stop Abuse Behind Closed Doors.”
The visual message was impactful and powerful, bringing many lunchtime visitors to the site to discuss the campaign and its prevalence.
Join us in saying NO 
