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.

Zonta Club Zagreb, together with the Croatian Nurse Association and DORA- the female part of the Rotary Club Zagreb, hosted a European House event dedicated to the International Day to end Violence against Women.

The club had two presentations:

1. Medical Emergency Insight in Violence against Women in Zagreb: Period 2011 – 2015 presented by  Slobodanka Keleuva, MD, Emergency Medicine Specialist.  This presentation showed that almost 1000 women experienced violence for which they needed medical care.
2. Violence in the Workplace over Nurses presented by  Josipa Bišćan. This presentation focused on workplace harassment directed at nurses and technicians

Bišćan researched the prevalence and forms of violence against nurses employed in health activities: the means of the occurrence and severity of violence; intensity that respondents recognize; and perceived where there are similarities and differences between health care institutions. Respondents (n=792) were nurses from six Croatian, which made the occasional stratified sample of 33 percent of nurses of the total number working at each medical institution. Methods used in the survey were anonymous. Results showed that the violence was largely carried out by the patient more toward nurses (82.9 percent) than against other health professionals (13 percent). Significant differences are: the scope of work that should be done for the unrealistically short time, stress from work – which is carried on the family and private life, lack of institutional support after the attacks, insufficient material remunerated for their dedication to the work, as well as the inability to use adequate knowledge and skills on the job, unsafe work environment, inadequate equipment and resources, exposure to attacks, insults, threats and complaints by colleagues.

Discussion, which followed the presentations, was very productive and the main conclusion was that Croatia needs specific national protocols in violence resolution. The club resolved to contact relevant state institutions.

On 25 November, the Zonta Clubs of Montferrier Olympe de Gouges and Montpellier Castelnau hosted a demonstration at Place de la Comédie in Montpellier, France.

The purpose of the event was to spread awareness of violence against women and girls. In 2015, 122 women died at the hands of their partner in France.

Associations that help abused women gave people information about emergency care, hotlines and helplines, shelters, mentoring and support programs. Many questions were asked and answered.

The best way to prevent violence against women and girls is to teach children gender respect and equality. T-shirts promoting this concept were offered for sale.

People gathered by live music were invited to fix yellow roses on a big cartoon Z. There were 122 flowers for the deaths of 122 women.

After speeches by politicians and Zonta members, 122 orange balloons were released in the sunny sky.

Local press and radio stations covered the event.

On 7 December, the Zonta Club of Lome joined with the Zonta Club of Lome Millenium, Togo, to say no to violence against women and girls at the College St Pierre et Paul  in Aneho, a small town located 48 kilometers southeast of the capital city Lome.

Six days before the event, the clubs hung a Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women banner at the school entrance. Students also received orange “STOP violence against women” t-shirts during the event.

Well-known guest speakers, including a gynecologist, psychologist and legal expert, informed the students of their rights and asked them to voice any different kinds of violence (e.g. sexual or physical violence, early pregnancy, genital mutilation) and the consequences on their health, such as obstetric fistula.

Students and teachers alike were receptive and asked relevant questions. After three hours of debate, they were motivated to help eliminate violence in their community.

The event was covered by national media on television and in local papers.

The Zonta Club of Hamburg-Orchard Park, New York, participated in the Hamburg Holiday Parade on 26 November to raise awareness of the Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women campaign. Wearing their orange t-shirts, members carried both their club banner and the Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women banner.

The FIR (Italian Rugby Federation)  presented Zonta Club in Italy for advocacy activities during the 16 Days of Activism as part of the Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women campaign.

The award was presented on 26 November in Padova, before the international match of Italy vs. Tonga. There were about 30,000 spectators in the crowd, and another 50,000 viewed the event on television. A large banner that said, “NO TO VIOLENCE AGAISNT WOMEN” was on display at the match.

The FIR presented the Zonta clubs a symbolic but significant gift of the ball from the 2015 Italy vs. New Zealand match, with signatures of the Italian and Tonga champions.

The award recognizes the advocacy work the Italian Zonta clubs have participated in to fight all forms of violence against women, as well as their work in building a culture of respect of human rights.

The Zonta Club of Jamestown, North Dakota, USA, partnered with nursing students from the University of Jamestown for a powerful display during the 16 Days of Activism.

The display included posters of photos of students, wearing masks for anonymity, who were holding whiteboards upon which they had written comments they have heard about sexual assault. The posters were in a local mall alongside a pull-up banner with statistics about sexual assault and information about Zonta International and its projects. There were also handouts with statistics about sexual assaults in the local area as well as the state of North Dakota.

Zonta members changed out the posters each day of the 16 Days of Activism, giving them the opportunity to talk to people about the Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women campaign.

On 25 November, members of the Zonta Club of Pampanga in the Philippines trooped to the Salakot Arch in Clarkfield, Pampanga, armed with nothing but vigor in promoting a community free of violence against women (VAW).

The iconic Salakot Arch, a symbol of Fil-Am friendship, was adorned with orange cloth. While chanting “VAW free Philippines starts with me,” Zontians and other attendees witnessed the arch turn orange as it was lit with orange lights. The lighting was immediately followed by a magnificent fireworks display.

The “Orange Your Icon (OYI)” advocacy initiative is an activity spearheaded by the Philippine Commission on Women and the Department of Tourism, which seeks to raise awareness in ending VAW “through decorating or embellishing famous and prominent tourism sites or attractions in the country with something that is colored orange.”

Club President Karen Anne Guevarra gave a brief lecture on Republic Act 9262, otherwise known as the Anti Violence Against Women and Children Act. She also gave an overview of the other laws protecting women such as the Anti-Rape, Anti-human trafficking, and anti-sexual harassment laws.

She stressed that eradicating violence against women is not solely women’s task but acknowledges that men in society equally plays a crucial role. As she put it, “Do not teach girls how to dress. Teach boys how to see.”

The club also placed signs on the fence around the Salakot Arch that say, “Violence-free community starts with me.” The signs remained throughout the 16 Days of Activism until 10 December.

Zonta clubs in Italy participated in the Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women campaign by organizing an “action of silence” at a rugby games.

At rugby games, a period of silence was observed to remind people of the need to combat gender-based violence. The Italian Area 3 of District 28 took part in this action, along with the Italian Area 3 of District 30.

The clubs received an award in recognition of the campaign. The event was reported across several media outlets, including on television.