Venango County Commissioners Chip Abramovic, Ken Bryan and Sam Breene signed a proclamation on 18 November, declaring 8 December 2025, as “Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women Day” in Venango County, PA, USA. The designation encourages all residents to prevent gender-based violence by educating the community on its harm, advocating for survivors of gender-based violence and acting in service on their behalf.
Zonta Club of Oil City–Franklin Club President Rebekah Deal and Vice President Bonnie Summers were present for the signing.
Many Midland storefronts display orange lady dolls as part of the Zonta Club of Midland’s campaign to end gender-based violence.
The orange dolls, named Julie, are to raise awareness for Zonta International’s service project, Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women.
The project was adopted from the United Nations 16 Days of Activism campaign to unite towards a common cause of ending gender-based violence.
One in three women will experience gender-based violence in her lifetime, and it is one of Zonta’s missions that no woman shall live in fear of violence. During the 16 Days of Activism, from Nov. 25 through Dec. 10, organizations and Zonta Clubs throughout the world raise awareness about this issue and challenge people to stand up and say NO to violence against women.
This year’s theme is “UNiTE to End Digital Violence against All Women and Girls.” The campaign aims to raise awareness about the escalating problem of digital violence, which includes online harassment, abuse, and exploitation. Orange is the color of the campaign, and the dolls represent the women in our community who have fallen victim to violence.
The orange dolls are named in honor of Julie, who was a 23-year-old female who was riding her bike to a friend’s house in Belgium when she was attacked. She attempted to fight off the attacker, but she was much smaller. He strangled her and threw her into the canal, where her body was found three days later. Her attacker was a serial rapist released on parole who slipped through the cracks of the justice system.
Julie’s family is prompting changes in Belgium’s judicial system in her memory, so this does not happen to other women. Julie’s aunt is a member of the Zonta Club of Midland and advocates for women to protect themselves and men to stand up and pledge to say no to violence against women.
Julie’s death is not in vain as her family and friends are continuing her legacy in advocating for ending gender-based violence. You can follow Julie’s story on Instagram @julie.vanespenslife.
You can help Zonta take a stand and say NO to violence against women by taking a selfie with the dolls, posting on Facebook your selfie and how you will stand up to violence against women, and tagging Zonta Club of Midland.
Zonta Club of Midland is a service organization working to advance the status of women and girls in Midland and is part of Zonta International, a leading global organization of individuals working together to build a better world for women and girls. Additional information can be found at ZontaClubOfMidland.org.
A special contest to honor the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women is back. Zonta International’s Savona chapter has decided to organize the second edition of this very special initiative.
“Zonta says NO” is even more evocative this year thanks to the collaboration with AICC (Italian Association of Ceramic Cities) – an association that brings together municipalities with an established ceramic tradition recognized by the MISE (Ministry of Economic Development) and the Baia della ceramica (with the municipalities of Savona, Albissola Marina, Albisola Superiore and Celle Ligure), coordinated by Indaco grafica & eventi.
A contest will be organized with the merchants of the city of Torretta, involving many participants, to raise awareness of an important issue and liven up their shop windows. The contest will feature themed shop windows set up by participating businesses, displaying the “red ceramic shoes” part of a project launched in 2017 with the initiative’s partners (AICC and Baia della Ceramica).
From November 17th to 28th, it will be possible to admire many of the city’s shop windows set up on the themes that will be the subject of the contest. On the afternoon of November 28th (at 2:30 pm) in the Sala Rossa of the Municipality of Savona, photographs of the shop windows will be brought to life and, thanks to a selected jury, the three most evocative shop windows will be recognized.
All citizens are invited to visit the shop windows in the city and also to participate on November 28th for the closing of this event, which is certainly deeply felt by all the protagonists of this edition.
“This initiative aims to represent a very sensitive topic that, on this occasion, unites commerce, the art of ceramics, and the Zonta Club Savona in a large journey through themed installations to not forget… and reflect,” says Elisa Zanelli, president of the Savona chapter of Zonta International.
This story was translated into English using Google Translate.
The Zonta Club of Hsinchu, Taiwan, marked another year of community impact on 8 November by sponsoring charitable organizations and leading advocacy efforts at the 34th Flea Market in Hsinchu Science Park.
In addition to donating to the Modern Women’s Foundation, the club invited community members to participate in the “Zonta Says NO to Violence” campaign, which received enthusiastic support. Club President Ada Lin emphasized that the campaign transcends age, gender and location, noting that this year’s efforts united participants across three generations—youth, adults and seniors—as well as men who joined in solidarity. She said this broadened engagement helped spark meaningful community-wide dialogue on ending gender-based violence.
Lin highlighted that the club not only increased its number of charity booths but also encouraged residents to support long-standing nonprofit organizations by purchasing donated items. The beneficiaries included the Modern Women’s Foundation, the Taiwan Association for Happy Breathing Children – Hsinchu Branch, and disadvantaged women.
During the event, volunteers from the Modern Women’s Foundation raised 8,000 NT dollars through their charity sale. President Lin and club members contributed an additional 20,000 NT dollars to support the foundation’s ongoing advocacy for women’s and children’s rights.
The club has participated in the Science Park’s second-hand flea market for many years, reinforcing environmental sustainability while supporting vulnerable populations. This year’s event strengthened community interaction, elevated the club’s visibility and successfully mobilized the public to take part in the “Zonta Says NO to Violence” campaign, one of the key highlights of the market.
The Zonta Club of Hualien II, Taiwan, proudly marked its first anniversary after a year filled with growth, dedication and meaningful impact. Founded by Charter President Daisy Chen, the club has quickly grown from the ground up to become a vibrant and active Zonta presence in eastern Taiwan.
Over the past year, the club has overcome numerous challenges and continued to thrive. Through unwavering teamwork and shared purpose, it has attracted 51 committed members, establishing itself as one of the most dynamic new clubs in the region.
To celebrate this important milestone, members traveled to Busan, South Korea, where they gathered in sisterhood to reflect on their journey and achievements. Even while abroad, the club remained faithful to Zonta’s mission, launching creative advocacy activities to raise awareness of violence against women, in alignment with the “Zonta Says NO” campaign.
Earlier this year, the club also organized the region’s first anti-violence charity golf tournament, successfully increasing public awareness and elevating Zonta’s visibility in Taiwan. At the same time, its signature “Zonta Girls Shining Stars” scholarship program has taken root in the local community, empowering underprivileged girls to pursue their dreams with confidence. The initiative has received enthusiastic feedback from educators, families and community leaders alike.
The club remains committed to empowering women and girls through service, advocacy, and sustained educational support. As the club moves forward, it continues to shine brightly—locally and internationally—alongside the rising stars of its Zonta girls.
On 15 May, the Z and Golden Z Club members of the Zonta Club of Kathmandu, Nepal, held a dynamic talk program and workshop at S.M.S.H., focusing on gender equality and envisioning a better world by 2030.
The event, which drew 60 student participants, featured four speakers who led engaging discussions on the importance of gender equality in building a just and inclusive society.
The club is proud of the strong turnout and the students’ participation in this meaningful and impactful workshop.
Zonta District 17 Area 5 gathered at the historical Intramuros of Manila, Philippines, and held various advocacy activities with guest speakers Senator Leila de Lima and Vice Mayor Yul Servo Nieto.
During the 16 Days of Activism Campaign to say NO to violence against women and girls, the Zonta Club of Dallas, USA, actively advocated at the Preston Royal Library. Club members greeted patrons in the library foyer, distributing informational materials about their causes. They handed out orange Zonta Says NO bracelets and custom-wrapped Hershey bars featuring the club’s information and a QR code linking to domestic violence facts.
The club also provided marketing materials about local agencies supporting women and victims of domestic violence, such as the Dallas Area Rape Crisis Center. Members took the opportunity to raise awareness about the club, sharing information about its activities and using the campaign as a friend-raising opportunity.
Most club members participated in the initiative, which successfully resulted in recruiting two new members. The club expressed gratitude to the library for hosting their efforts throughout the 16 Days and was thrilled to learn that additional library branches in the area are interested in partnering next year.
Zonta Club of Metropolitan Dunedin will take part in an international campaign, “16 Days of Activism”, with a focus on saying no to violence.
A statement from the club said the campaign, led by Zonta International, aimed to encourage discussion on gender-based violence against women and girls, and would work towards equality and eliminating violence.
All Zonta Clubs across the globe will take part in the campaign, set to run from November 23-December 10, with each club planning its own programme.
New Zealand’s status as the worst developed country in the OECD for family violence was shameful, with women most often affected.
On average, police attended a family violence episode every four minutes, and 67% of family violence episodes remained unreported, the statement said.
Zonta Club of Metropolitan Dunedin advocacy chair Lyn Farry said the club’s local campaign would emphasise the issue of coercive control, where an abuser controlled a partner using manipulation and intimidation.
This could include putting someone down, telling them what to wear, what to think, say and do, social media harassment, or pressuring for sexual favours.
The club has planned several initiatives to highlight the campaign, including a presence at the Otago Farmers’ Market this Saturday, November 23, and a stand at the Meridian Mall in November, from 11am-2pm.
Members will distribute leaflets and posters highlighting the issue.
Mrs Farry said, by staging this programme, Zonta hoped to deliver a credible and powerful message to the community that violence in all forms against women and girls must end.
The campaign was focused on education, not fundraising, but if donations were received they would be given to Foster Hope.
The Zonta Club’s 16 Days of Activism is back, check out ‘Zoey’ at participating businesses
Local businesses will help the Zonta Club spread awareness about domestic violence during its 16 Days of Activism campaign by placing this cardboard cutout in their storefront.Zonta Club of Melbourne/For Hometown News
BREVARD COUNTY — Zontians around the world will be joining an effort to raise awareness for envisioning a world without violence in the coming days.
Around Brevard County, participating businesses will help spread the word by hosting “Zoey,” a cardboard cutout that offers information about the Zonta Club of Melbourne’s involvement in the endeavor to end violence.
Participating businesses so far include Courtyard be Marriott West, Meehan’s, Yellow Dog Café, Adsado at Grand Manor, The Burger Place, Coiffures International Salon, West Melbourne Library, and El Chico.
The 16 Days of Activism for “Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women” kicks off on Nov. 25, which is International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, and runs through to Dec. 10, which is known as Human Rights Day.
In recent years, the local Zonta chapter has invited businesses to light their storefronts with an orange light, but this year, are doing something different.
“Nov. 25 is also known as ‘Orange Day’ by the United Nations, and the color was purposefully chosen, which is why you see us with a lot of orange on,” said Cathy Greene, Zonta Club of Melbourne president. “It’s a bright color that attracts attention. The campaign is about bringing (domestic violence) to the forefront. It’s silent, people don’t talk about it a whole lot.”
According to Zonta International’s website, intimate partner violence against women is one of the most common forms of violence. At least 34% of female homicide victims in 2017 were killed by a former or current intimate partner.
Cyber violence is yet another form of abuse women and girls face on a daily basis, too. Zonta International has gathered research that found women aged 18-24 are at a heightened risk of cyber violence, and 73% of women are abused online.
“Our goal is to raise awareness that (violence against women) exists,” said Doris Larson, Zonta Club of Melbourne member. “We started maybe 10 years ago trying to make people aware that human trafficking is in Brevard County. Everyone said we were crazy, but we finally convinced everybody that there is, and the police are on the watch. It takes time to raise awareness.”
Besides raising awareness, the local Zonta chapter advocates for women who have faced such violence in their lives.
Some of the club’s victories includes helping to pass several laws regarding getting women out of abusive relationships. If strangulation can be documented, for example, a woman doesn’t have to testify against her abuser.
Educational efforts have ranged from reaching out to the police force to high schools. Yet, the Zonta Club of Melbourne’s biggest fundraiser – the Chocolate Festival – is perhaps best known for how they speak out against violence and at the same time, shed light on fair-trade chocolate products.
The Zonta Club of Melbourne supports domestic violence shelters and is involved with several other nonprofits that help women in these difficult situations.
If you own a business that would like to participate in hosting “Zoey” the cardboard cutout, you can contact Doris Larson at 321- 505-9579.
Join us in saying NO 