The Zonta Club of Geelong, Australia, is encouraging the community to ‘Orange the World’ in support of eliminating violence against women.

Thursday was the United Nations’ Day of Elimination of Violence Against Women, which kickstarted 16 days of activism against gender-based violence to raise awareness and mobilise people across the region and world to bring about change.

On Thursday, the Zonta Club walked in solidarity with victim-survivors of family violence from Cunningham Pier to Eastern Beach and back to raise awareness.

Club advocacy committee member Chris Denmead said the club’s members also planned to wear orange over the next two weeks, attach orange streamers to their cars and mailboxes and “spread the message”.

“Domestic and family violence is still way too prevalent everywhere in the world, not just here, and we need to keep working to reduce that,” she said.

“This sends the message that domestic violence is not acceptable no matter the situation.

“We want to see as many people wearing orange over the next 16 days, because the more people see the orange, they’re going to ask about it.

“Then we’re starting the conversation and that’s what it is about.”

Along with the Zonta Club’s activities, the City of Greater Geelong will be lighting up orange over the next few weeks.

https://geelongindy.com.au/news/26-11-2021/tackling-gender-based-violence/

A local service club is continuing its fight to eliminate violence towards women.

The Zonta Club of Chatham-Kent will be taking to the Parry Bridge on Keil Drive in Chatham later this month to show support for the millions worldwide who suffer the effects of sexual assault, spousal abuse, human trafficking, rape, female circumcision and other crimes.

The rally will be held over the noon-hour on Thursday, November 25th, which marks the International Day for the Elimination of Violence towards Women.

https://ckxsfm.com/zonta-says-no-4/

ASHTABULA — The Zonta Club of Ashtabula Area will kick off the 16 Days of Activism on Nov. 22 at the historic lift bridge on Bridge Street. 

The Lift Bridge Community Association supports this international event and local organization by lighting the lift bridge with orange lights — the color that symbolizes the Zonta International campaign of “Zonta Says NO to Violence against Women,” said Linda Coblitz of Ashtabula, a Zonta member.

This year Zonta also purchased two billboards in Ashtabula to bring even more awareness to finding ways to put an end to violence. The Zonta Says No campaign, which began 10 years ago, unites Zonta clubs and members around the world as they raise their voices to bring awareness to this issue and advocate on behalf of violence survivors and victims.

As the world continues to live with the COVID-19 pandemic and preparing for the holidays, instances of violence against women and girls are on the rise. Now, more than ever, it is essential that we work together, with our communities, partners, and future generations, to end violence. Zonta International partners with the United Nations in their UNITE campaign, which also works to bring awareness to accountability in stopping gender-based violence.

Annually and internationally these dates are part of the 16 days of Activism: Nov. 25th International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women; Nov. 29th International Women’s Human Rights Defenders; Dec. 1 World AIDS Day and Dec. 10, which ends the 16 Days of Activism is HUMAN Rights Day.

Zonta International believes in making the world a better place by empowering women and finds joy in doing this in a supportive community of like-minded professionals from diverse countries and cultures. 

The local Zonta Club of Ashtabula Area meets monthly on the second Monday of each month to discuss and plan local service projects, network and continue learning about our community and world. For more information about the local club go to its Facebook Page: Zonta Club of Ashtabula Area or check out the Zonta International website zonta.org.

https://www.starbeacon.com/news/local_news/zonta-club-of-ashtabula-to-kick-off-16-days-of-activism/article_1a523739-ff3a-57da-9836-6db1ae541612.html

As a part of the Zonta Says NO campaign, the Zonta e-Club of USA2, USA, supports women in need by donating to women’s shelters, homeless shelters or individuals in their communities. A different donation is given for each day from 25 November to 10 December. The club chose to give primarily diapers, feminine products and bras.

As an e-Club, the club members are spread across the country and can’t easily get together. Therefore, they are all committed to making a difference in their own communities. They have given donations in Kansas, Missouri, Texas, Oklahoma and even in Mexico. The club also plans to make further donations in Louisana, Massachusetts and Wyoming.

The Zonta Club of Ilocos Norte, the Philippines, and the City Government of Laoag lighted up their city hall in orange to show solidarity for the Orange the World campaign. It is also a sign of the club’s support for preventing and eliminating gender-based violence.

The Zonta Club of Ilocos Norte, the Philippines, partnered with the City Government of Laoag City on 29 November for both an in-person and virtual forum on equality of women. The forum took place at the City Auditorium. 

Three speakers took turns to hold a discussion: 

• Attorney Franklin Calumag discussed RA 11313 Safe Space Act, which defines and penalizes harassment of women in public spaces and online. 
• PCPL Amynet Gaoiran talked about RA 9208, the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act.
•  Zontian Dr. EM Gagni lectured the audience on the importance of mental health and psychosocial support.

The Zonta Says NO campaign is ongoing in District 20, Finland and Estonia, but the district feels that the campaign’s message is seen and heard stronger than ever.

The Advocacy Committee started the work early in the spring to support the clubs with a campaign book, social media materials, posters and handouts. In autumn, clubs were invited to join a training session to share ideas and get support in the campaign preparations. As the campaign approached, blogs were published, and a press release was launched nationally.

The district is thrilled to see the multitude of action and innovation taking place over their clubs and their media coverage has been bigger before. They believe this will be a great foundation to continue the work in the coming years.

The Zonta Club of Ilocos Norte, the Philippines, kicked off the 16 Days of Activism by distributing tarpaulins with the Zonta Says NO: End Violence Against Women Now slogan. The campaign poster also had the hotline numbers of the Philippine National Police and the Medical Social Welfare Office to allow access to help and services.

The tarpaulins showcase in strategic places throughout the 21 municipalities and two cities.

The Mariano Marcus State University-College of Teacher Education Golden Z Club and the Z Club of Ilocos Norte National High School, the Philippines, joined the Zonta Club of Ilocos Norte and the City Government of Laoag in the motorcade for the opening program of the 16 Days of Activism campaign against gender-based violence.

The club officers came in wearing orange wigs.