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The Zonta Club of Cebu II in the Philippines, District 17, is paying homage to women from all walks of life with “Musings on Women: A Pop Art and Photo Competition Exhibit.”

More than 100 photos were submitted to the photography contest. A total of 25 entries were chosen to be finalists for the exhibit, which features the work of local photographers and artists showcasing women in the various roles they play in society.

The opening of the art exhibit on 23 November marked the beginning of the club’s 18 days of activism against gender-based violence, which will end on 10 December.

The Zonta e-Club of West Africa, District 18, commemorated the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women with an art exhibition at Alliance Française in Accra, Ghana, in collaboration with the French Embassy in Ghana, UNFPA, Alliance Française d’Accra, and CoPASH (Coalition of People against Sexual and Gender-Based Violence, and Harmful Practices).

Members of the Zonta e-Club of West Africa took part in the art exhibition and official ceremony as part of the club’s way of recognizing the Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women campaign.

The program, which was aimed at raising awareness of the hidden forms of violence against women, was preceded by a call for projects from both male and female artists on the subject. The collection of art came in different forms and communicated the various types of abuse women and girls suffer in a moving and engaging way.

Samira Bawumia, second lady of the Republic of Ghana, Anne Sophie Avé, French Ambassador to Ghana, and the Chilean ambassador to Ghana attended the official ceremony. Also in attendance were the artists who submitted works for the exhibition: the Lycée Français d’Accra Jacques Prévert, Achimota Senior High School, and members of the local community. There was also a performance by Drama Queens, a feminist political theater organization.

Joyce Dzide-Tei, president of Zonta e-club of West Africa, commended the French Embassy and its partners for strongly advocating for gender equality. She mentioned that the club will be actively engaged in multiple events to mark the 16 Days of Activism of Activism against Gender-Based Violence and encouraged both men and women, victims and survivors, to continue to take a stand to end all forms of violence against women and girls worldwide.

The Zonta Clubs of Bern and Bern Ursa in Switzerland, District 28, joined to spread awareness of child marriage.

Members of the clubs participated in a road action called “Bound Bride” and handed out flyers containing information about child marriage and forced marriage.

They also collected approximately 500 signatures on a petition titled, “Child marriage and forced marriage offend against human rights and are unacceptable types of violence.” The clubs turned the petition into Simonetta Sommaruga, the Swiss justice minister, along with a letter containing the expectation that Switzerland realizes the Istanbul Convention and closes gaps where applicable.

The minimum age to get married in Switzerland is 18, but there is a practice called “outplacement,” in which families send girls to foreign countries to get married.

The Zonta Club of Kitchener-Waterloo in Canada, District 4, kicked off their Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women campaign at an event that included the lights lining the main street in downtown Waterloo turning orange.

Club President Jane Newman, Waterloo Mayor Dave Jaworsky and the executive director of the Sexual Assault Support Centre of Waterloo Region all gave speeches at the event, followed by local musicians performing indigenous drumming and singing.

For at least one Chatham-Kent family, fighting violence against women transcends generations.

Heidi Vidler, her daughter Sara Vidler and her grandchildren, Ravyn and Addison Doughty, marched on the Parry Bridge over the Thames River Friday as part of the Zonta Club of Chatham-Kent’s Say NO to Violence Against Women rally.

“I’ve been in the military for 28 years and this is the kind of stuff we fight against,” said Heidi Vidler. “I want my girls to know that it’s just as important for them when they grow up.”

The rally was against all types of violence and abuse against women across the world, including child brides, genital mutilation and sexual violence.

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Zonta International members raise a flag to kick off its campaign against gender-based violence Sunday at Niagara Square. (John Hickey/Buffalo News)

Sunday marked the United Nations’ International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.

At Niagara Square, the Zonta Club of Buffalo hosted a gathering to commemorate the occasion and launch its annual “16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence” leading to Human Rights Day.

The international organization, which was founded a stone’s throw away at the Statler Hotel in 1919, used the occasion to also mark its 100th anniversary next year by hosting a Centennial Flag. But the main focus was on the issue at hand.

“Advocacy is important, but it is not enough,” said Bonnie Clesse of Boston, N.Y., District 4 governor and member of Zonta Club of Hamburg-Orchard Park. “Action has to be taken to eliminate violence against women.”

Twenty underprivileged schoolgirls with the sewing machines they received from Zonta Club of Dhaka IV at Azampur Government Primary School. Photo: Prabir Das

Thirteen-year-old Bokul stopped going to school, feeling unsafe because of eve-teasing. Despite her mother’s protest, Bokul’s father and grandmother married her off forcibly.

At her in-laws’ house, Bokul found it hard to make everybody happy. She gave birth to a baby girl, making her life even more difficult. She now wants to return to school. But it is impossible!

This is the story of “Voice of Bokul,” a play performed by a troupe of underprivileged children from Protigga Foundation, at a program held at Azampur Government Primary School yesterday.

The Zonta Club of Dhaka IV, Bangladesh, organized the event as part of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence and the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.

Protigga Foundation is a partner of Zonta Club of Dhaka IV, which works for advancing the status of women.

A total of 20 underprivileged girls were given free sewing machines at the event, on completion of a three-month-long training program.

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Seven red dresses hung outside of KHTS Radio on Tuesday as part of an annual “Red Dress Project” display honoring seven Santa Clarita women who were killed by domestic abuse.

“We’re glad to participate in the Red Dress Project event,” said KHTS Radio Owner Carl Goldman.“It’s a powerful way to send a critical message to our valley.”

Throughout the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, the campaign is aimed toward bringing awareness to domestic violence in the community and is part of the annual Zonta says NO to Violence Against Women campaign.

“Yes, domestic violence is in Santa Clarita,” said Susan Hayward, a member of the Zonta Club of Santa Clarita Valley, USA. “The dresses are red because of the blood that was spilled during the time that they were abused.”

The project is put on by the city of Santa Clarita, along with the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station, the Zonta Club of Santa Clarita Valley and the domestic violence program of the Child and Family Center.

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The Zonta Clubs of Niagara Falls, St. Catharines and Fort Erie, Canada, joined at Table Rock Welcome Centre in Niagara Falls to celebrate the beginning of 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.

The event featured speakers and demonstrations, followed by a walk to the Falls—which turned orange to mark the event—and a candlelight vigil.