From the Philippine Information Agency:

LAOAG CITY, (PIA) – An international women’s group here has gathered a thousand signatures in support of the global campaign to end violence against women and children.

Ilocos Norte’s Zonta initiated the signature drive to raise awareness and increase action to end violence against women and girls through services and advocacy.

The group’s campaign streamers bore the message: “A thousand and more signatures; Zonta says no.”

Marsha Leoncia Aoigan said the campaign began in November 2012 focusing on the service and advocacy actions of Zonta clubs and districts worldwide to prevent and end violence against women and children in local communities.

She said the drive is carried out through the Zonta International Strategies to End Violence Against Women (ZISVAW) program in partnership with the United Nations and its agencies.

The Zonta Club of Ilocos Norte (ZCIN) was established on May 9, 1978.

At present, 49 members work hand in hand with the local governments and other Non – Government Organizations (NGOs) to advance the status of women in Ilocos Norte.

It has chapters in Baguio City, San Fernando City of La Union, Tuguegarao Foundation, Aparri and Central Tuguegarao and in Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore and Hongkong.

In her visit in the province recently, Zonta International District 17 Governor Winnie Teoh based in Hongkong called on women’s groups in the country to act now to prevent violence against women.

She said the prevalence of incidents against Filipino women is alarming.

Teoh compared the 2004 survey report collected by the Philippine Commission on Women showing 6,271 cases of violence against women as against the 2012 report with 15,969 cases of crime against women.

“Prevention is better than cure. Thus, I urge our group, concerned local NGOs and the media to help  us publicize a better awareness of this issue in the community, so as to achieve better harmony in our society,” she said in a press briefing.

She also called the conduct of more seminars and symposium in the local level focusing on the discussion on the rights of women and children. (MCA/FGL PIA- 1- Ilocos Norte)

An exhibition of shoes without a body made by the Zonta Club of Casale Monferrato has been on the road in the North of Italy.

After an event in Chieri by the Zonta club in progress (Zonta Club del Chierese), the shoes arrived in Bordighera. Here, the Zonta Club of Ventimiglia, District 30, Area 03 organized a new silent march of shoes in the main street to seek attention on feminicide.

Two banners in support of the march, a gazebo to collect and to give information and a big exposure on the press showed “ZONTA SAYS NO” action against domestic violence and every kind of violence against women. Now  the  march  will be proposed in another town along the Riviera dei Fiori by the Zonta Club of Alassio Albenga.

As part of the Zonta Says No! Campaign and to commemorate the International day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, Cambridge University Student Union (CUSU) Women’s Campaign and the St. John’s Women’s Society, in partnership with Zonta Says No! and Safehands for Mothers, arranged an event to raise awareness of FGM.

The event was started by “The Little Coochie Snorcher That Could” from Eve Ensler’s “Vagina Monologues”, performed by Ifeyinwa Frederick, followed by a poem on FGM by award-winning author Justina Kehinde Ogunṣeitan. The documentary film “The Cutting Tradition, insights into Female Genital Mutilation” was shown and after the screening there was a Q&A session led by leading expert Dr. Helen Watson.

The event was attended by approximately 30 people and raised £100.

The Zonta Club of Piraeus Greece has joined forces to the international campaign “end violence against women” of Zonta international.

From scvnews.com:

Hundreds of shoppers at Valencia Town Center got an up-close look at the problem of domestic violence through a Zonta Says NO display sponsored by Zonta Club of the SCV. The display’s centerpiece was a tower of more than 150 pairs of women’s shoes — each shoe representing a victim of domestic violence and red shoes representing a woman who died as the result of that violence.

The display also featured posters showing the incidence of violence against women and girls on a local, state and international basis. Another poster listed programs that Zonta International supports across the globe in support of women and girls. Guests at the exhibit were encouraged to write their own messages on paper shoes, which were then taped to the wall next to the posters.

“From the comments of people who visited the display, as well as those from Zonta volunteers who staffed the display, I think we made a difference,” commented Chris Miller, who chaired the local project. Many guests were amazed to learn that the local Domestic Violence Center expects to serve more than 3,000 clients this year—in a community where many residents are not aware that domestic violence is a problem.

The Zonta Says NO display in the mall was the focal point of 16 Days of Activism, from Nov. 25 to Dec. 10, declared by Zonta International on a worldwide basis. The period kicked off locally with a proclamation from the Santa Clarita City Council naming Nov. 25 to Dc. 10 as the 16 Days of Activism and encouraging local citizens to take action to become aware of and strive to eliminate violence against women and girls throughout the 16 days and throughout the year.

Barely used shoes that were used in the mall display have been donated to the local Domestic Violence Center for use by their shelter residents. Zonta also sold orange Zonta Says NO wristbands, with proceeds going to the Domestic Violence Center. Golden Oak Adult School and the Drug Free Youth in Town club at Golden Valley High School also participated by offering the wristbands to students at their schools to raise awareness of domestic violence.

http://scvnews.com/2013/12/15/zontians-say-no-to-domestic-violence-with-shoes/

Below is a wallet card that has been produced by the Bendigo City Council along with the support of the Zonta Club of Bendigo.

The card “Breaking the Silence – You’re not alone!” contains a list of resources that are available in the club’s local area.  It also asks some questions that can lead the reader through a list of experiences that can help them in their decision making as to the need to follow up for further assistance. All the local support services are listed along with their phone numbers for immediate assistance.

Zonta Club Of Olympia with family and friends came together on 4 December to enjoy a night of singing, fellowship, and taking a stand against elder abuse. We designed a place mat for Senior Services of South Sound to distribute in Thurston County and beyond.

Senior Services of South Sound will use the place mats at all 8 Nutrition sites in Mason and Thurston Counties. They will also send them out to our 500 Meals on Wheels recipients to help educate them on preventing and reporting on Elder Abuse and Neglect.

 

Due to the current financial crisis, but also for other cases in Romania was noted an increased incidence of domestic violence. Statistical data centralized by Romanian police in the first half of 2012 compared with the first half of 2011 reveals the following information:

• The number of violent incidents has increased by 0.64 (from 11494-11568);
• 31% of the offenses were committed between relatives, with violence, with 26 % more than in the reference period;
• Of the 11,596 persons ( 1.39 % ) investigated for criminal domestic violence for 19% of offenders have begun prosecuting 24% less than in the first half of 2011.
• On the other hand, the National Agency for Family Protection reported approx. 9,500 domestic violence cases per year in the last two years, of which 73 % were directed against women.

However, these statistics do not reflect the true dimensions of domestic violence, which in most cases is perpetuated from generation to generation as “normal behaviour.” Experts estimate that “more precise number “of cases of domestic violence is about six times higher than that reported. Each day, about 32 people are victims of domestic violence and most of them are women.

This was the motivation that Zonta Club Ploiesti made from the campaign “Zonta Says NO” the most important campaign this year. The club’s campaign, “Zonta Club Ploiesti Say NO – Violence ! ” began 17 May with a double event: Roundtable in the morning with “Why me?” and afternoon with the “Coffee Party”. About 100 people’s man and women, youth and with more experience learned about violence with their volunteer psychology Elena Taran. The members learned what violence means and how to prevent violence.

On 15 November, the club organized a show for the anniversary of Zonta International and for “International Day of Children’s Rights “. The show featured a leased exhibition, Zonta Club Ploiesti “Say NO – Violence”, which was made by members of the Z Club – and is currently hosted by the House of Teacher Training Prahova .

On 25 November, the club hosted a 3K march of silence of 130 young people from the Economic College “Victor Slavescu”, National College “Nichita Stanescu”, Notional College  “Alexandru Ioan Cuza”, and members the Zonta Club Ploiesti. At the march, members were joined by local crews and traffic police and gendarmerie, with the approval of Ploiesti City Hall, who is proving to be a partner in supporting human rights.

On 5 December, the club held their Prahova Volunteer Gala, where members promoted the campaign and one of their volunteers was awarded. George Constantin Radu organized a team who worked for the exhibition, as a volunteer to other associations, participated in all the activities organized by the club. Two other volunteers,  Adrian and Bogdan Ciocioc were also acknowledged.

On 6 December, the club held two roundtables at the National College “Spiru Haret” and “Nichita Stanescu” where the club discussed with students violence and its prevention methods using methods of non-formal education. The club trained 70 youth and teachers in this field.

On 10 December, International Day of Human Rights Day, the club in the Prahova NGO Forum, hosted a social section where they will held a debate about rights and focused on the rights of women and children. This gave the club the opportunity to promote Zonta Says No. The forum concluded with musical performances by the volunteers Bogdan Gazdac, Adrian and Bogdan Ciocioc.

The club finished the 16 days the activism to the gender violence, but will work to promote the human rights and to promote a better life.

On the 25 November, Zonta International Club of Lagos 1 organised an Interactive Forum:  SAY NO! TO VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN: CALL TO ACTION in collaboration with Women Arise for Change Initiative at the Freedom Park, in the heart of Lagos. This event  was a befitting climax to the Club’s ZONTA Says NO to Violence Against Women Awareness Campaign during which over 4,500 bookmarks  specially designed to enhance the visibility of Zonta Club of Lagos 1 have been distributed since February 2013.

Before the event, the Interactive Forum was widely publicized through press releases in the social media, during a popular Nigeria Info FM radio morning show on Zonta International’s 94^th Birthday, and flyers were sent by email and distributed at various events held in Lagos before 25^th November to commemorate The International Day for The Elimination of Violence Against Women …. In order to create more awareness, a ZONTA Says NO banner was hung in a strategic position at Freedom Park, which has recently become a popular venue for social, cultural and creative art events, a few days before the interactive forum and flyers were left in cafes and restaurants within the complex so that the numerous visitors attending events being held there during that weekend would know that Zonta takes the elimination of violence against women seriously.

As a result, despite the usual heavy Monday morning traffic in Lagos, a  broad spectrum of participants including members of the media, diplomatic corps, public sectors, academia, creative industries, civil society organisations and  development partners, attended the event. Prof. Wole Soyinka, Africa’s first Nobel Laureate and Chairman of the Board of Women Arise for Change Initiative, Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, Chairman National Human Rights Commission, Nigeria; Mrs. Hafsat Abiola-Costello, Founder Kudirat Initiative for Democracy KIND; Mr. Christian Widmann, Head Programmes, GIZ ; Ms. Bene Uche, Public Affairs Section, US Consulate;and high level delegations from the Lagos State Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA) and Office of the Public Defender (OPD) also graced the occasion.

At the beginning of her welcome address the President of Zonta Club of Lagos 1 Z Shade Bembatoum-Young read a poem entitled ‘No More Tears’ in order to highlight the importance of Edutainment and more specifically Poetry in breaking the silence and emphasizing the fact that victims of gender based violence are ordinary people we each come across in our daily lives, who need our understanding and support because they often suffer the additional pain of stigmatization.

Other Poems by Word-Up Poets and a 5 minute Video Clip from the movie ‘MISFIT’, directed by the award winning Daniel Emeke Oriahi and starring Ijeoma Agu, were part of the Edutainment segments of the programme . She concluded by declaring that the elimination of violence against women was every body’s business. Z. Segilola Goubadia immediate Past President of the Club, and currently a member of the International Advocacy Committee, spoke eloquently on the role of Zonta International in eliminating violence against women worldwide with special reference to ZISVAW and the Zonta Says No campaign .The key note presentation with slides tagged ‘THE BITTER TRUTH ABOUT VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN’  was made by Dr. Joe Odumakin, President Women Arise for Change Initiative, and one of the nine recipients of the 2013 International Women of Courage Award. The passionate presentation and somewhat gruesome visual images held the audience spell bound as Dr Odumakin reeled out alarming statistics on issues such as Rape, Domestic Violence Trafficking of Women and Children, Female Genital Mutilation and Child Brides. Dr. Odumakin called upon participants to work together to ensure that the necessary laws were passed and enforced to protect the rights of Women and Girls. Her presentation ended on a positive note with her leading the audience in singing ‘We Shall Overcome’.

An interactive session highlighting causes, effects and prevention of violence against women and girls in Nigeria; socio-economic and cultural factors; collaboration between NGOs and building sustainable creative industries/media/development partner/civil society partnerships, as well as crucial information about Lagos State Laws and Services from WAPA and OPD, followed by a Question and Answers/ Solutions and Strategies Segment, were skillfully moderated by a renowned female Professor of Law, Prof. Ayo Atsenuwa. Panelists included, Director ACTS Generation, Mrs. Leila St. Mathew-Daniel; Director Women Law and Development, Dr Keziah Awosika; Member Governing Council, Nigerian Conservation Foundation, Mr. Desmond Majekodunmi; Director Office of the Public Defender, Mrs. Omotola Rotimi; Assistant Director, Nigerian Television Authority, Mrs, Antoinette Falohun; Executive Secretary Girl Guides Association Nigeria, Mrs. Eno James; Mrs. Damilola Obinna of the United Nations Population Fund UNFPA; CEO Nesta Sukie Ltd, Isioma Fidel – Ewerem; Stage and Screen Actor, Ijeoma Agu, Star of ‘MISFIT’a film about violence inflicted on a women kidnapped by a gang; Mrs. Omotola Rotimi, Director, Office of The Public Defender and Mrs K.B Hopo of the Ministry of Women Affairs.     Continue reading →

The Zonta Club of Miami Lakes and the Town of Miami Lakes officially declared 25 November as the kick-off of the Zonta Says No Campaign in Miami Lakes, FL, USA. The town of Miami Lakes issued a proclamation at its 10 December council meeting, recognizing the importance of advocacy on behalf of women, locally and globally, to support efforts to prevent and end violence against women and girls.  

The Zonta Club of Miami Lakes members participated in a number of advocacy activities during the Zonta Says No Campaign and 16 Days of Advocacy from 25 November to 10 December.  The club presented its Community Service Award to Mrs. Carol Wylie at a “Women and Wine Dinner”, which included an advocacy focus on the international efforts to end violence against women. Additional club activities included a social media campaign, a Virtual Ownerless Shoes event, sharing advocacy information with other women, and donations to local women’s organizations as well as Zonta International for their efforts to combat violence against women around the world.