16DaysofActivism

Zonta Club of Dhaka III gives voice to Z club and youth members

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During the 16 Days of Activism, the Z club and youth team of Zonta Club Dhaka III, Bangladesh, organized a debate on the elimination of child marriage and the Zonta Says NO campaign. Each participant received a certificate and a token of appreciation for their outstanding presentations.

The event was attended by notable guests, including Fahmida Kareem, Past Governor of Zonta District 25, Nusrat Huq, Past President of Zonta Club III, Nasrin Khan Anni, Z Club and Youth District Chair for District 25, Rubina Qadir Hussain, Club President, Sabrina Siddique, Vice President and members of the Z Club and Youth Team of Zonta Club of Dhaka III.

In the news: Zonta’s webinar on gender based violence

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The Zonta Club of Nassau recently hosted a webinar to address gender-based violence in The Bahamas shortly after the tragic rape and murder of 12-year-old Adriel Moxey and 72-year-old Vernencha Butler which took place days apart in the capital New Providence.
The country was left in a state of shock, anger and sorrow, wondering when there will be greater protections for the nation’s women and children. President of the Zonta Club of Nassau Michelle Forbes explained the importance
of bringing awareness to violence against women and children. “We will be learning more about violence, how to have healthy relationships, how to be better persons and how we can overcome trials together. Zonta International launched the “No to Violence” Campaign in 2012 and what we are doing now is raising more awareness through advocacy and education.” Former Police Officer and now CEO of Elle Clarke Media Group, Lynelle Clark spoke to victims by sharing her story of sexual assault. “After forgiving yourself and the assailants, speak your truth. I didn’t have anyone that could relate to me when I was raped. I was a police officer, a detective, I investigated rape and now I found myself on the other side of that table. Now I was being interviewed, now I was the victim, no one was able to talk to me because no one had walked through the complexity of my circumstance.” She continued, “I promised God that when I was healed from this, I would use my voice to share my story because I wanted to become for others what I did not have for myself. Your story isn’t just for you. You can move from trauma to victory. Reclaim your identity.”
The Webinar also featured several panelists including, Antoinette Brown the author of “Raped… A Survivor’s Compelling Story”, woman police constable Patrel Hutcheson, administrator and advisor at the Bahamas Crisis Centre
Cleopatra Christie, counselor at the University of the Bahamas Arnold Martin, and assistant professor of psychology at the University of the Bahamas Dr. Detra Bethell.

http://jonesbahamas.com/zontas-webinar-on-gender-based-violence/

Zonta Clubs of France host screening for 16 Days of Activism

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On 25 November, the Zonta Clubs of France held a presentation of the film Primadonna, which explores restorative marriages in 1950s and 1960s Sicily.

*This story was translated into English by Google Translate.

Zonta Club of Jyväskylä lights the city orange

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The Zonta Club of Jyväskylä, Finland, partnered with local organizations to promote advocacy during the Zonta Says NO campaign. Key city landmarks, including Hospital Nova and Congress Centre Paviljonki, were illuminated in orange. On 25 November, the club hosted an event at the Nero steps, featuring a speech by the president of UN Women Jyväskylä, a performance by the Kipinät choir and refreshments. Attendees dressed in orange and lit the steps with candles to raise awareness for gender equality.

Zonta Club of Dhaka II hosts program on gender-based violence and discrimination

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The Zonta Club Dhaka II, Bangladesh, organized an advocacy program at the Baridhara Diplomatic Club, featuring psychologist Dr. Mehtab Khanom, who addressed violence against women and gender equality for Z club and youth members. Past District Governor Rn Zainul Abedin also spoke on gender equality. District 25 Governor Dr. Zareen Delawar shared insights from her medical practice, discussing her work with abuse survivors and emphasizing the importance of promoting gender equality among youth.

Zonta Club of Minneapolis St Paul Area utilizes social media for the 16 Days of Activism

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The Zonta Club of Minneapolis St Paul Area, USA, highlighted its commitment to advocacy during the 16 Days of Activism by sharing a range of infographics, compelling articles and news stories across its social media platforms. The club also actively promoted the Zonta Says NO Summit, emphasizing the importance of collective action to end violence against women.

Zonta Club of Liestal advocates for change

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The Zonta Club of Liestal, Switzerland, marked the 16 Days of Activism with impactful activities to raise awareness about violence against women. Members hosted a screening of the film Bella Mia in collaboration with regional victim support, who shared insights into their vital daily work.

The club also maintained a strong online presence, posting daily on Facebook and Instagram to amplify the campaign’s message and engage the community.

Zonta Club of Cebu I donates hygiene kits to women and holds health program

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The Zonta Club of Cebu I, Philippines, in partnership with the Lapu-Lapu City Jail Female Dormitory, conducted a Reproductive Health and HIV Awareness program, reaching 90 incarcerated women. The initiative provided vital education on reproductive health and HIV prevention, empowering participants with the knowledge to safeguard their well-being and rights despite their challenging circumstances.

To complement the session, hygiene kits were distributed, addressing the scarcity of essential sanitary products in correctional facilities. This practical support reinforced the importance of personal health and hygiene, often overlooked in such settings.

Through this program, the club underscored its commitment to empowering marginalized women, breaking cycles of neglect, and reminding participants of their dignity and worth.

Zonta Club of Kathmandu highlights child marriage issues with collaborative event

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On 25 November, the Zonta Club of Kathmandu, Nepal, in collaboration with UNICEF, UNFPA and NCELL Foundation, organized a high-impact event at the Himalaya Hotel in Lalitpur to mark the opening of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.

The event brought together around 110 participants, including representatives from government, UN agencies, civil society, bilateral networks, corporate sectors, banks and Zontians. Speakers included Dipak Dhakal, Under Secretary at the Ministry of Women, Children and Senior Citizens; Jee Hyun Rah, UNICEF Deputy Representative to Nepal; Bishakha Lakshmi Khadka of NCELL; and Zonta Club of Kathmandu President Bina Rana. They emphasized the urgent need for a unified approach to address child marriage, which remains a significant barrier to gender equality in Nepal.

A panel discussion explored the role of women-led organizations and the private sector in addressing child marriage, fostering a productive dialogue on multi-sector solutions. The event also launched Shir Mai Phurke Ribbon, a music video produced by UNFPA and UNICEF to raise awareness of the consequences of child marriage among young people.

Additionally, the club unveiled an informative booklet on legal provisions related to child marriage, domestic violence and women’s rights. Compiled by a team of 17 women advocates and produced with support from NCELL Foundation and UNICEF, 1,500 copies of the booklet in both Nepali and English were distributed at the event.

The event raised significant awareness on child marriage, a pervasive issue in Nepal where 21% of women aged 15–19 are married, compared to only 5% of men in the same age group (Nepal DHS 2022). Zonta’s initiative highlighted the need for collaboration between government bodies, private entities, and civil society to prevent child marriage and its impact on young girls.

Zonta Clubs of Basel and Liestal’s 16 Days of Activism: Dare to take the step towards a life free of violence

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During the 16 Days of Activism, Basel and Liestal, Switzerland, launched impactful initiatives to combat violence against women. The Basel Theater pyramids were illuminated in orange with key messages, while seven animated short videos based on real testimonies, were screened across eleven locations, including cinemas, community centers and the University of Basel.

To reach women in need, 5,000 flyers titled “Dare to Take the Step Towards a Life Free of Violence” were distributed in over 30 locations, including libraries, hospitals and doctors’ offices. A powerful interview with a domestic violence survivor was published in two local magazines, reaching 200,000 readers.

The campaign’s social media efforts on Instagram, LinkedIn and Facebook featured daily posts, generating thousands of engagements and sparking critical conversations. One member noted, “If only one person has decided to give this topic a space in their thoughts and feelings thanks to the campaign, critical thinking has been initiated, which leads to moving out of violence, it has already been worth it.”