The Zonta Club of Savannah, USA, observed National Human Trafficking Awareness Day on 11 January by conducting the Red Sand Project in Forsyth Park, a focal area of the city.

Zontians and the general public participated in filling sidewalk cracks in various areas surrounding the park with red sand and placing signs calling on all to stop human trafficking and giving the national hotline number for reporting possible human trafficking activity.

The red sand in the cracks represented a metaphor for being aware of human trafficking and not allowing its victims to “fall through the cracks” of society.  During the course of the day, hundreds of people walked over or drove by the sand-filled cracks.

The Zonta Club of Toledo, Canada, made an effort to “orange the world” during the 16 Days of Activism to raise awareness about the global epidemic of violence against women.

As part of the Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women campaign, they took and posted photos of  of area leaders, educators, and citizen advocates decked out in orange to their Facebook page. Each photo is accompanied by a quote that starts, “I wear orange because …”

Lucas County Commissioner Tina Skeldon Wozniak

Maumee Mayor Richard Carr

Lucas County Juvenile Court Judge Connie Zemmelman

Among those wearing orange for this awareness campaign are city and county elected officials, including Lucas County Commissioner Tina Skeldon Wozniak, Toledo Mayor Paula Hicks-Hudson and Maumee Mayor Richard Carr, and Lucas County Juvenile Court Judge Connie Zemmelman, who states, “I wear orange because I see far too many girls who accept violence as a normal, even expected, part of everyday life.  We need to teach all young girls that their bodies are the one thing they have 100% control over.”

Lucas County Sheriff John Tharp (pictured, left), one of several law enforcement officials to weigh in, states, “It’s a world-wide epidemic: 1 out of 4 women faces domestic violence in her life, and 4 million each year. Human trafficking is at its highest peak.” He adds, “We are working hard to combat this crime and support victims in our community.”

John Jezak (pictured, right), City of Maumee Administrator/ Safety Director, speaks of tragedy that touched him personally when he states, “I wear orange in memory of a friend who lost her life to an abusive boyfriend.”

Dr. Sharon L. Gaber (pictured, left), University of Toledo President, explains, “I wear orange to speak against exploitation of women and children and to give voice to those silenced by abuse at homes and workplaces.” Deidre Lashley of the Bethany House shelter for victims of domestic violence, notes “Abusers exhibit violent behavior over and over and over. Helping women avoid and escape is critical.”

Some participants highlight the need for more and better laws.

Todd Curtis, Perrysburg Township Police, says “Please be aware of new legislation like Monica’s Law — help make sure it passes and is enforced.” This proposed law, Ohio House Bill 362, would increase the penalty against strangulation to a third-degree felony since an attempt to strangle is often a precursor to domestic violence murder.

One of Ohio’s strongest advocates for protecting women and girls from human trafficking, State Representative Teresa Fedor (pictured, left), joined in the Zonta Says NO campaign with the following statement: “As all these organizations and individuals  come together to build a coalition, we form ONE powerful voice … that leads the way once again, as Northwest Ohio takes an active stand against gender-based violence. We think globally and act locally. So let’s help ‘Orange the World’ here in our home town.”

On 25 November, the Zonta Club of Montevideo, Uruguay, attended the march “Women in Black” during the 16 Days of Activism.

Women in Black is a global movement that has a favor to have wide spread and impact.

The Zonta Club of Gaylord Area partnered with the Women’s Resource Center of Northern Michigan in asking local high school athletes to “Say No to Violence Against Women” during the 16 Days of Activism.

These men at St. Mary Cathedral School listened to the club’s call to action and took the white ribbon pledge, “I promise to never commit, condone or remain silent about violence against women.” They also talked about their unique opportunity and responsibilities as athletes and role models.

The Zonta Club of Darmstadt, Germany, held a presentation in Darmstadt’s mall, Luisencenter, for the Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women campaign.

Artist Karina Wellmer-Schnell used images to help visualize two emotions: the feeling of being deeply hurt as a woman and what it means to go hand in hand without fear.

The club also informed people with statistics about violence against women in 2015 in Europe. This event informed the public about violence, visualized it and gave information for help against domestic violence.

Club members were joined by social workers of the institution called Frauenhaus Darmstadt. The Frauenhaus gives abused women a secure place to live, to get out of domestic violence.

The Zonta Club of Upper Hudson Valley, New York, purchased Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women wristbands for all members, plus 35 additional to be distributed to caring women.

The club asked its members to wear them during the 16 Days of Activism and longer, if desired. The wristbands encouraged many conversations. We photographed club members with their wristbands at their December meeting.

Thanks to a successful year of fundraising, the club was able to purchase many holiday gifts for the residents of domestic violence shelters in both Columbia and Greene counties. Shelter staff were given a budget and they did the shopping for all residents.

The Zonta Club of Punta del Este-Maldonado, Uruguay, organized a free drawing competition with the theme “Violence in Society” for the Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women. The activity took place at four special schools devoted to children with different capabilities.

A Zonta 2017 calendar was created with children’s drawings to show off the most important Zonta dates and also those related to health and human rights, each month showing the artistic pieces of drawing made by the children themselves.

The club has found this to be a great way to make people conscious about violence against women and child abuse.

The Zonta Club of Hamm/Unna, Germany, worked with local businesses to turn buildings in their community orange for the 16 Days of Activism.

Club members were also out wearing orange and displaying Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women banners to bring awareness to the campaign.

The two Zonta clubs of Dunedin, Metropolitan Dunedin and Dunedin-Otago, joined forces to make a strong visual impact at the local farmers market and at a shopping centre on 26 November.

Club members handed out bookmarks and gingerbread men while collecting funds for the Sophie Elliot Foundation. The bookmarks and gingerbread men were designed by members and the orange doll in the photo below was made by the husband of a member.

The Zonta Club of Beziers mobilized by calling on deputy Elie Aboud, Member of the National Assembly of France for 6th Constituency of Hérault, to discuss the French state budget allocated to fight against violence.

In 2016, the budget allocated to the Ministry of Women’s Rights within the framework of the program “Equality between women and men” is € 27 million or 0.0066 percent of the general budget, when the estimated cost of violence against women is 2.5 billion a year. Per capita 0.33 euros, while in Spain, by way of comparison, it is 0.54 euros per capita. (Report of 15 September 2016 of the High Council for Equality between Men and Women)

Where is money for women’s rights ? The Zonta Club of Beziers thus complements its efforts over the past several years in favor of women by helping with literacy, access to care, equality between women and men, combating gender-based violence, intra-family violence, and the creation of an emergency relief fund for victims of domestic violence in the Beziers region.