SEE YOU AT THE SUMMIT
10 DECEMBER 2025

On Wednesday, 10 December, join Zonta International for three engaging and inspiring sessions throughout the day. The Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women 2025 Summit’s focus is on the critical role of male allies in preventing and addressing gender-based violence (GBV). The Summit will highlight how men can leverage their influence to challenge harmful social norms, advocate for cultural change, and create safer communities, and how women can engage men as allies in their efforts to end violence against women and girls. Across three sessions, participants will hear from global experts, showcasing innovative approaches to allyship, including partnerships with local organizations, creative storytelling, and youth engagement.

Three-tiered pricing: US$25 for general admission; US$20 for members; US$10 for students.

All proceeds, less fees, go to the Zonta Foundation for Women International Service Fund to support global initiatives to address gender-based violence. Members who participate will have this donation count toward their Every Member Every November Zonta Foundation for Women giving total.

Recordings of all sessions will be available for everyone who purchases a ticket.

08:00 – 09:30 AM | Session 1: Victor Rivas Rivers- National Network to End Domestic Violence

Actor and activist Victor Rivers, best known for roles in Blood In/Blood Out, The Mask of Zorro, and The Distinguished Gentleman, has used his platform to advocate against domestic violence. A survivor of severe childhood abuse, Victor broke his silence in 1999 to speak publicly about his experiences and the importance of community intervention. Today, as the National Spokesperson for the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV), he works to raise awareness that domestic violence is not solely a women’s issue—it is everyone’s issue. Through storytelling, advocacy, and public engagement, Victor inspires others to break the cycle of violence and support survivors. His leadership with NNEDV highlights the power of using one’s voice to create social change and emphasizes that ending domestic violence requires collective responsibility and action.

12:00 – 1:00 PM | Session 2: Men Against the Tide film and discussion with filmmaker Priyali Sur

Join us in viewing the documentary Men Against the Tide. This film explores the compelling journeys of seven men from both rural and urban India who are courageously challenging entrenched patriarchal norms and actively advocating for women’s rights. They come from diverse backgrounds but share a bold conviction: gender equity is not just for women to claim—it’s a cause for all. Produced under the banner of the United States Agency for International Development’s (USAID) “Women and Girls Lead Global” campaign in collaboration with the Ford Foundation and ITVS, the film spotlights their activism, personal risk and the ripple effect of male allies standing up for change. In the talk-back session, filmmaker Priyali Sur will join viewers to discuss how these men’s stories were discovered and crafted, the challenges and breakthroughs of male engagement in gender justice, and how the film aims to inspire similar action worldwide.

An experienced and award-winning multimedia journalist and documentary filmmaker; Priyali has extensive experience reporting on social justice, gender and refugee issues across South Asia, Africa, Europe and the Middle East. She was a former news anchor and reporter for CNN-IBN in India and her work has been published in CNN, NPR, PBS, and The Guardian. As an international development expert, she has consulted with international organizations such as the World Bank Group and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and she is the founder of The Azadi Project. She has built and implemented leadership training, job skills and mental health support programs for refugee and marginalized women from some of the most conflict-affected countries.

4:00 – 5:00 PM | Session 3: Ending GBV with Male Allyship

Join us for a panel discussion with leaders from respected organizations who will speak to the importance of engaging men and boys as allies to end gender-based violence. We will be joined by four panelists for this session:

Dr. Margaret Greene – Executive Director of GreeneWorks
Vesna Jaric – Global Head of UN Women’s HeforShe Campaign
Joe Vess – Senior Programs Fellow for Equimundo
Bob Vines – Violence Prevention Coordinator at the University of Wyoming and partner with Futures Without Violence.

This discussion aims to inspire action, foster collaboration, and amplify practical strategies that accelerate progress toward a world free from gender-based violence.