Nearly one in three, or 30 per cent, of women worldwide have experienced either physical and/ or sexual intimate partner violence or non-partner sexual violence. As part of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence — an international campaign that aims to inspire action and end violence against women and girls around the world— the Zonta Club of Amherst Area, local officials and members of the local community joined Amherst Mayor Robert Small for the Zonta Says NO Proclamation and Zonta International flag raising ceremony on Nov. 25.

Each year during the global 16 Days of Activism campaign, which runs from Nov. 25 to Dec. 10, Zonta International encourages its members to take part in advocacy efforts that focus on prevention, protection and prosecution.

At the local level, Zonta clubs across the world have organized activities and events as part of the 2025 Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women campaign.

One of the fastest growing forms of abuse is digital violence against women and girls. In support of the 16 Days of Activism to End Gender-based Violence, the Zonta Club of Amherst Area calls for an end to violence against women and girls — online and off.

“This year, the Zonta Club of Amherst Area joins Zonta clubs across Canada and around the world in supporting the United Nations “UNITE” campaign theme — UNITE to End Digital Violence Against All Women and Girls. Our club stands united with advocates worldwide in calling for decisive and coordinated action to make digital spaces safe and inclusive for all”, said Lisa Emery, president, Zonta Club of Amherst Area.

Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women began in November 2012. To learn more and join the campaign, visit http://www.zontasaysno.com. Zonta International’s ongoing efforts to end violence against women and girls at the international level are carried out through the Zonta’s International service program and through Zonta’s partnerships with the United Nations and its agencies.

https://www.pressreader.com/canada/the-casket/20251126/281522232376147

For the next 16 days, you may notice a different type of yard signs in various places throughout the Corry area.

Those signs say “Zonta Says No to Violence Against Women.” The signs 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 throughout the year to support Zonta’s mission of “building a better world for women and girls.” Zonta International is a leading global organization of individuals working together to build a better world for women and girls.

The main goal of Zonta’s advocacy is eliminating gender-based violence against women. That advocacy includes observing 16 Days of Activism, which focuses on psychological, physical and sexual violence; and harmful practices such as rape, child marriage and human trafficking. 

The campaign’s goal is to get more people to speak up and act rather than look the other way. 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 prevent gender-based violence during 16 Days of Activism.

“Our club has set a goal to raise awareness of and take action to prevent gender-based violence during the 16 Days of Activism,” Cooper said. “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.”

You 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 106th anniversary. For Zonta’s 100th anniversary in 2019, the Corry Zonta club purchased a banner with the theme “Zonta Says No to Violence Against Women.” For a few weeks each fall, 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 and programs and through partnerships with the United Nations and its agencies.

Zonta International President Salla Tuominen said Zonta envisions a world where no woman must live in fear of violence.

“We are ambitious yet grounded in the realities of the world we inhabit. We are at the pivotal moment where gender-based violence remains a stark and painful reality, and child marriage statistics have taken steps backward due to the unstable post-pandemic world,” Tuominen said. “But we will not back down as we continue our work and intensify our efforts to combat gender-based violence. Our voices and actions through the Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women campaign will build not just a better world for women and girls, but a better world for all.”

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.

In the past, the Corry Zonta club had a program specialist at Safe Journey speak about Purple One, a bystander intervention program where victims can seek help from trained individuals. 

The Corry Zonta club also volunteers to help with Shower the Shelter, when members ask the community to donate essential items, as well as monetary donations, to Safe Journey for victims of domestic abuse.

“I am proud of the women in our local club who selflessly give and advocate so others can have a better life,” Cooper said. 

“We help the victims of domestic violence and their children at Safe Journey by providing gifts for the holidays as well as funding for a Thanksgiving dinner and support for their date violence services. The need is great in our local community and we are here to help in any way we can.”

Safe Journey also has a Teen Dating Violence awareness program that Zonta of Corry supports.

The Corry club is a member of District 4, Area 5. District 4 includes 30 clubs with 620 members from western 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.

Jane Newman, of Ontario, is the District 4 governor. She said this campaign brings 64 countries, 1,123 clubs and 26,00 members from 32 districts 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. 

In addition to Cooper, officers of the Corry club are Shirley Heitzenrater, first vice president; Marie Zamiska, second vice president; Reva Lowry, treasurer; Maryann Mook, secretary; and board members Barb Chase and Vickie Stull. 

https://www.thecorryjournal.com/news/article_ce3fe28a-5ff4-46ab-b4d0-798806312458.html

For four years now, FC Bayern has been lighting up its Allianz Arena in orange on 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. Today, the German record champions are once again supporting the global initiative ‘ZONTA Says NO’, which campaigns against discrimination and violence against women and girls, with this visible sign. The stadium will be lit up in orange from 17:00 to 20:00 CET.

Hoda Tawfik, ZONTA area director for Bavaria and Thuringia: “The ‘ZONTA says NO’ campaign is delighted with FC Bayern’s long-standing commitment and support, including the Allianz Arena being lit up in orange again this year to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. ZONTA International and the Munich ZONTA Clubs want to continue raising awareness and drawing attention to the support available to women. Visible signs of this are the orange benches throughout Munich and the orange lighting of many buildings and institutions, such as Munich Airport, various ministries and, of course, the Allianz Arena.”

ZONTA International, the global, non-partisan non-governmental organisation, has been working for over 100 years to fundamentally improve the status of women. ZONTA has over 28,000 members worldwide and around 1,100 clubs in over 63 countries. With its international campaign ‘ZONTA Says NO’, the organisation has been promoting the United Nations’ 16 Days of Activism from 25 November to 10 December under the motto ‘Orange The World’ since 2013, which will kick off with buildings and landmarks around the globe being illuminated in the symbolic colour.

https://allianz-arena.com/en/news/2025/11/allianz-arena-in-orange-a-visible-sign-against-violence-towards-women

UTICA, N.Y. — The City of Utica is set to light up in orange to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.

The Zonta Club of Utica is extending the observance with its 16 Days of Activism campaign, titled “Zonta Says No to Violence Against Women.”

The City will illuminate the large UTICA sign at the Oriskany Street parking garage and the lights across Varick Street in orange.

Zonta officials said the Oneida County Office Building, the Wynn Hospital parking garage, the Adirondack Bank Building on Genesee Street, the Bank of Utica clock tower, and the Utica Electric sign on Oriskany Boulevard will also be lit in orange.

The United Nations launched this international day in 2008, choosing orange as the campaign’s signature color to symbolize a bright and optimistic future free from violence against women.

The City of Utica is set to light up in orange to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.

https://www.wktv.com/news/education/utica-lights-up-orange-for-international-day-for-the-elimination-of-violence-against-women/article_5ba5131b-4bb1-43d7-8c76-81f854d42099.html

By Terese Ledy

Published: Nov. 24, 2025 at 2:57 PM CST

MARQUETTE, Mich. (WLUC) – Zonta Clubs worldwide are hosting a virtual campaign to combat violence against women.

Zonta International has over a thousand clubs worldwide, intending to empower women through service and advocacy. To help achieve this, they will be doing 16 days of activism starting on Tuesday.

Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women will involve a social media push encouraging you to post your own photo. This helps raise awareness of gender-based violence.

“By raising awareness, it really creates that opportunity to take action, and that action is what’s going to cause change and hopefully give people a sense of security and just a voice,” said Lorena Donnellan, the Zonta Club of Marquette vice president.

Donnellan says you can help by wearing orange throughout the campaign, posting to social media or stopping by the Zonta Club booths to learn more.

“The idea of these days is to highlight that freedom from violence is a universal human right,” Donnellan said.

The campaign is bookended by days significant to the mission. The campaign starts on Nov. 25, which is International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, and it ends on Dec. 10, which is Human Rights Day.

Copyright 2025 WLUC. All rights reserved.

https://www.uppermichiganssource.com/2025/11/24/zonta-international-host-campaign-stop-violence-against-women/

The Zonta Club Kathmandu, Nepal, in partnership with Chandragiri Municipality and the Nepal Police Cyber Bureau, organized a cybersecurity awareness program on 25 November at Chandragiri Municipality to mark the first day of the global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign. The event focused on addressing the rising threat of digital violence targeting women and girls in Nepal.

More than 150 participants—including students, teachers, community members, and local leaders—took part in discussions highlighting emerging cybercrime trends, increasing online safety risks for women and youth, support services and community-based solutions for victims, and the legal frameworks and ongoing national awareness initiatives aimed at strengthening cyber protection.

Speaking at the program, Club President Bina Rana emphasized the importance of collaboration in combating online abuse.

“When we work together and collaborate like this, we can make a greater and more meaningful impact,” said Bina.

Bina urged communities, authorities, and civil society partners to remain vigilant, support survivors, and advocate for stronger preventive measures to ensure a safer digital environment for all.

The club extends its sincere appreciation to Everest Bank, Golchha Group, and NMB Bank for their valued support in making this program possible.

The Zonta Club of Salo, Finland, has organized the “Zonta Says NO” events again this year, in collaboration with the Salo libraries. From 25 November 25 to 10 December, during the Orange Days, all libraries in the Salo area will have a designated table or shelf featuring literature on violence against women and girls, as well as information on prevention measures. Additionally, these locations will provide contact information and resources for individuals who have experienced violence.

Zontians in the Christchurch region, New Zealand, set up displays at local public libraries for the 16 Days of Activism, as part of the Zonta Says No to Violence Against Women campaign. These displays provide a strong and visible message to the many and diverse visitors to the libraries.

The Zonta Club of Dallas, USA, is once again partnering with the Dallas Library at the Fretz Park Branch for all 16 days of their “Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women” campaign. Members will engage with patrons, distribute Zonta merchandise, and share important facts and figures about domestic violence in the Metroplex, Texas, and the United States. Raising awareness is the first step toward elimination.

Patrons are invited to “Sign the Pledge” and add a “Foot” to the wall, where they can write a word or two of hope or encouragement regarding domestic violence. Both the club and the library aim to “fill the wall” with these messages. Additionally, a glass case displays spray-painted orange shoes of various kinds as part of the “Put Yourself in HER Shoes” installation, designed to catch the eye of passersby and spark interest and questions.

By the end of the 16 days, the club hopes to engage with more than 1,000 individuals. All club members will work multiple shifts throughout this period.

To raise public awareness about the serious issue of violence against women, Zonta Halle Pajottenland, Belgium, is bringing its campaign prominently into the public space. Across the region, orange scarves are appearing on statues and in local businesses, each accompanied by a flyer that clearly calls for an end to violence against women and provides the contact details for helpline 1712.

Helpline 1712 offers free and anonymous support via phone, chat, and email to anyone with questions or concerns related to violence. Professional counsellors are available to provide information, guidance, and assistance.

The campaign is also gaining visibility through local bakeries. Participating bakeries are distributing their bread in special “Zonta Says NO” bread bags — an additional reminder that violence against women is never acceptable.