The Zonta Club of Mt Barker, Australia, partners with the local domestic violence unit of South Australia Police (SAPOL), a mental health worker from Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAHMS) and the Eastern Fleurieu School’s campuses to deliver the Expect Respect program to 6th year students, ages 11-12.

The program teaches the children about respectful relationships, domestic violence and bullying. The program is a key tool to help break the cycle of domestic violence that can run in families by teaching the children how recognize the various forms of domestic violence and also how to recognize other issues that may occur, such as depression and bullying, and where to seek help. This year, 80 students took part in the program.

Each year, with assistance from their art teacher, the students produce a piece of artwork that delivers their own message of what they have learned throughout the program. This year’s theme was about the eye and what it sees, what it chooses not to see and what it decides to take action on. The students drew a picture of an eye and then added a caption or saying from their learning that meant something to them.

The school chose pieces of artwork to be made into a calendar and printed. Each student who participated received a copy of the calendar and the club sold copies to raise funds for next year’s program. The calendar was launched on White Ribbon Day at an assembly held at the school. The school’s principal believes in the program so much that he became a White Ribbon ambassador in 2016.

Through this collaboration, ninth year students from the school volunteered their time as part of their Rite Journey program to make White Ribbon Badges for White Ribbon Day.  The club has expanded this partnership to include other age groups. The ninth year students were given a brief introduction the White Ribbon Day, and there were discussions while they were making the ribbons.

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.