16DaysofActivism

Zonta Club of New Rochelle celebrates the 16 days of activism

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Zonta Club of New Rochelle supported Zonta International’s Zonta Says No to Violence Against Women with 16 Days of Activism.

The club used its social media account to post local, national, and international statistics on the ways in which climate change, conflict, human trafficking, child marriage, laws against women’s rights, and intimate partner abuse contribute to violence against women worldwide.

Dressed in orange, club members concluded the final weekend with an awareness walk from City Hall to the high school.

Zonta Club of Laguna launches Cyber Crime Awareness Campaign

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Eighty five people attended the event hosted by Zonta Club of Laguna, Philippines via zoom.

The speaker from the National Bureau of Investigation gave a very powerful and highly informative presentation regarding cybercrime awareness – to make people be more vigilant so they dont become a victim.

The action is important because by understanding the evolving threats in our interconnected world, we can take proactive measures to protect ourselves and preserve our digital identities. Learning how to avoid and prevent cybercrime empowers us to take action and contribute to creating a safer online environment for all.

The goals were achieved through careful planning and execution. The impact of raising awareness on cyber crime is significant for the mission of Zonta. By educating individuals about the threats and providing knowledge on prevention and action, Zonta helps protect people and their digital identities in our interconnected world.

This event is important to the local community because it empowers community members to safeguard themselves against evolving cyber threats. By learning how to avoid and prevent cyber crime, individuals become more resilient and better equipped to navigate the digital landscape, ensuring the safety of their personal and financial information. Additionally, it fosters a sense of collective responsibility in the community to work together in the fight against cyber crime.

Zonta Club of Noosa organizes a walk against domestic violence

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Sunday morning by the river is the place to be for locals and tourists in Noosa – a perfect opportunity to spread awareness of the risks, impact and dangers of gender-based violence as part of Zonta International’s 16 Days of Activism campaign against gender-based violence.

Held annually by the Zonta Club of Noosa, this year’s event attracted State and local Council representatives, Zonta members and supporters and local media, with more men attending this year than ever. Zonta Noosa President, Robyn O’Neill said, “to end violence against women we need to challenge attitudes that perpetuate, rationalise and normalise that violence and deny women’s rights to safety. Shifting behaviours is hard and slow but gender equality means all of us and working with all genders is the only way to see true change. We need the men to stand beside the women all the way. While men can be victims as well, they are overwhelmingly the perpetrators of gender based violence.“

After a week chairing public hearings held by the Youth Justice Reform Select Committee, Noosa MP Sandy Bolton told the group what she had heard taught her much more than a discussion was needed. “What we’ve seen in households across Queensland – it starts right there. It’s all interconnected. The children who are coming out of those households – it is deeply disturbing that we haven’t broken the cycle and we have so much more to do.

“What we have found is there’s a lack of communication to the assistance available and also the early interventions that happen right in our schools. Just about every witness I’ve heard this week has said it takes a community, it takes a society. It’s not just up to government or one person, it takes all of us.

“I ask you to spread the word that there is help and within the homes to reach out. If you don’t know who to reach out to call council, call myself, call somebody and we will connect you. And I encourage you to follow Zonta on Facebook.“

In the news: Safe room opens at police station with help of Zonta Club of Pine Rivers

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A newly created victim statement room is now operational at Petrie Police Station. The room provides a safe place for domestic and sexual abuse victims, as well as other vulnerable people, to speak with police and provide statements.

The Zonta Club of Pine Rivers worked with the station’s Officer-in-Charge to furnish the newly designated space.

Club President Bronwyn Evans says her members raised money to buy furniture, including a sofa and coffee table, to make the room more comfortable for those using it.

“We also provided soft furnishings to bring warmth to the room and make the experience less intimidating,” Bronwyn explains.
“We have also purchased toys and books for any children who accompany the person using the room.”

Police station ‘safe rooms’ were one of the recommendations of the Independent Commission of Inquiry into Queensland Police Service responses to domestic and family Violence.

Senior Constable Keith Morris from the QPS Moreton District Vulnerable Persons Unit inspected the room at Petrie Police Station during an informal earlier this month.

“The Zonta Club of Pine Rivers has created a room which feels comfortable and secure, using calming colours and furnishings,” he says.

“Attending a police station to report serious offences can be an uncomfortable experience and this space will be excellent to assist police when speaking with victims of domestic violence and other traumatic offences.

“The creation of this room supports police acting in a trauma-informed way to get the best possible outcomes for victims.”
Zonta Clubs throughout Queensland are working with local police stations to furnish and equip the safe rooms that have been designated.

It is part of Zonta District 22’s ‘Soft Rooms’ project.

“Zonta International’s mission is to build a better world for women and girls. It envisions a world in which no woman lives in fear of violence,” Bronwyn says.

“We hope this project helps local victims know there is a safe place available to report, and escape, violence.”

Source: https://www.moretondaily.com.au/news/safe-room-opens-at-petrie-police-station

In the news: Zonta Club of Wyoming Big Horns, USA puts the finishing touches on SCSO soft interview room

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SHERIDAN — Over the weekend, the Zonta Club of Wyoming Bighorns put the finishing touches on a new soft interview room at the Sheridan County Sheriff’s Office.

The room was a collaboration between the club and the Sheridan County Sheriff’s Office, while Texas based nonprofit Project Beloved provided the paint, furniture artwork and decor. On Dec. 10, the club members painted the room and completed the installation of the furniture, blankets, decor and photographic artwork.

The process of interviewing victims and perpetrators of domestic violence or sex crimes can be difficult to navigate, Sheriff Levi Dominguez previously told The Sheridan Press, and it’s important to ensure the victim feels comfortable and safe speaking about their experience. 

While Sheridan Police Department has a soft interview room, the sheriff’s office did not.

Soft interview rooms are private rooms where detectives can speak to victims in a more comfortable environment than a standard, sterile interrogation room, and soft interview rooms often trade cold metal tables, blank walls and uncomfortable chairs for couches, paintings and toys for minor victims.

“Evidence based practices call for a trauma-informed approach to reports of rape and sexual assault and a soft interview room is considered an integral component of (trauma informed care),” the Project Beloved website said. “Creating a space that is comfortable rather than stark allows the participant to feel physically and emotionally safe and can have a significant impact on the interview process.”

Project Beloved “strives to educate, advocate and collaborate to change the conversation about sexual assault and empower survivors to find their voices,” according to the organization’s website. Zonta Club member Cassie Sundberg said the SCSO soft interview room is Project Beloved’s 82nd room in the country and second in Wyoming. 

The Zonta Club of Wyoming Bighorns became an official chartered club of Zonta District 12 and Zonta International Oct. 15. The group meets monthly on the second Thursday of the month. The Zonta Club is dedicated to advocating “for equality, education and an end to child marriage and gender-based violence,” according to its website.

In addition to setting up the soft interview room, the Zonta Club of Wyoming Big Horns recently partnered with Project Beloved to prepare bags of clothes, toiletries and other amenities — known as “Beloved Bundles” — to be distributed to victims of sexual assault after forensic examinations are performed. 

Source: https://www.thesheridanpress.com/news/local/zonta-club-puts-finishing-touches-on-scso-soft-interview-room/article_623e3b98-9916-11ee-b240-03d09531e74d.html

Zonta Club of Fredericksburg, Texas partners with Grace Center for 16 Days Campaign

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The Zonta Club of Fredericksburg, TX (ZCF) is taking part in 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence—an international campaign that aims to inspire activism and end violence against women and girls around the world.

Local activities include a banner over Main Street, a display at the Girl Scout Cabin on the corner of Crocket and Austin, a service project to benefit domestic violence victims, and a celebration at the Schatze Haus Resale Boutique—which benefits the Grace Center—on Wednesday, 29 November from 3:00 – 6:00 p.m.

The Grace Center of Fredericksburg provides shelter, offers guidance, and schedules free and confidential services to empower those who have been impacted by domestic violence and seek to escape their abuser.

“Zonta envisions a world where no woman lives in fear of violence. Through the Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women campaign, our members and allies stand together, uniting our voices to advocate for all those who have suffered gender-based violence,” says Zonta International President Ute Scholz.

“Zonta is needed now, more than ever, to continue its work to end violence and build a better world for women and girls.” The 16 Days of Activism campaign begins 25 November, International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, and ends 10 December, International Human Rights Day.

Zonta International encourages its clubs to participate in advocacy efforts that focus on prevention, protection, and prosecution.

ZCF activities include:

• A “ZONTA SAYS NO” banner over Main Street at CrockeX Street and the Girl Scout Cabin display show off orange (the color for domestic violence awareness) and #16DaysofActivism information. The corner display also provides QR Codes for more information about the campaign and Zonta efforts.

• A service project to make 50 hygiene bags for The Grace Center. These bags are filled with a variety of basic toiletries to be offered to women entering The Grace Center aker fleeing a violent domestic event.

The 29 November reception at the Schatze Haus Resale Boutique brings attention to its great work to support the Grace Center.

Join us to learn more about domestic violence in our community and how these organizations work together to fight it.

ZCF president Elizabeth Wunderlich said, “the Grace Center gives hope by offering local domestic violence victims a place to seek shelter from their abuser.”

She added, “Supporting the Schatze Haus and the Grace Center is in perfect alignment with our Zonta mission and 16 Days of Activism. We encourage the community to join us on Wednesday to learn more about what this amazing organization is doing for our residents affected by violent trauma at the hands of a domestic partner.”

President Liz Wunderlich was able to get the word out on the local radio station with a Trish Dwyer-Morgan of KNAF interview about ZISVAW on Wednesday, 22 November.

Kaohsiung American School: Zonta Says NO To Violence Against Women Promotion Video

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To advocate for the “Zonta says NO to violence against women” campaign, Kaohsiung American School Zonta Club hosted a week of on-campus awareness campaign.

An email was sent to the entire KAS high school to inform them of this event, including the cause and aim.

Throughout the week, Zonta Club executives and members filmed video clips of students, teachers, and staffs.

The most creative and powerful ones were chosen and made into a promotion video that we then posted on our Instagram account.

By doing so, we hope to spread awareness of violence against women by letting everyone feel personally engaged to this campaign.

Zonta Club of Makati and Environs joins Zonta Says NO Campaign

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Every November, we raise awareness for our advocacies through 16 Days of Activism.

This year, Zonta Club of Makati and Environs (ZCME), in partnership with the Makati Social Welfare Department, presented “16 Days of Activism: BABAE AKO, HINDI BABAE LANG” (I AM A WOMAN, I am NOT JUST a WOMAN) on 30 November at 1 pm at the University of Makati Auditorium.

The event commenced with a short film presentation depicting different types of Violence Against Women titled “EBAI…Babae Ka Hindi Babae Lang,” an advocacy film for women empowerment and a fight to end Violence Against Women and Children (VAWC) written & directed by: Harvie C. Aquino, a joint Project of HCA Production and LGU Lingayen headed by Mayor Leopoldo Bataoil (GAD Chairperson) and Vice Mayor Judy De Leon Vargas-Quiocho (GAD Vice Chairperson).

The auditorium was filled with close to 300 participants, including Grade 11 and Grade 12 students from the University of Makati, women representatives from 33 barangays of Makati, and the Kababaihan’s organization from Taguig City.

Following the film, a riveting panel discussion took place. These panelists were thoughtfully selected to represent the key individuals and agencies that the public can turn to for assistance:

• Judge Elisa R. Sarmiento-Flores, Presiding Judge of the Regional Trial Court, Branch 71, Pasig City

• Judge Joe Ricuerdo P. Flores, Presiding Judge of RTC Branch 6, Tanauan City, Batangas

• Atty. Jefferson Gonzales, Senior Lawyer, Makati Public Attorney’s Office

• Ms. Jowie Advincula, RPm, RPsy, CSAP, Clinical Psychologist from the Ospital ng Makati (OSMAK)

• PCPT Jenibeth Artista, Officer-In-Charge, Women and Children Protection Desk

• Ms. Dulce G. Manansala, RSW, Social Welfare Officer II from the Makati Social Welfare Department

The thought-provoking film sparked a panel discussion that lasted over 1.5 hours. Numerous follow-up questions and consultations continued after the discussion, covering topics such as awareness, root causes, support systems, laws & policies, education & prevention, engaging men & boys in preventing VAWC (Violence Against Women and Children), and the media’s role in shaping perception and transforming these channels as a vehicle for change.

The main takeaways were loud and clear:

• Female Empowerment – “Babae Ako, Hindi Babae Lang” (I AM A WOMAN, I am NOT JUST a WOMAN)

• “Walang Over, Walang Under, Dapat Partner” (Women and Men can and must be equal partners)

• “Bawal Bastos Laws” (NO to Violence against Women and Children and VAWC laws simply mean NO to DISRESPECT)

There are key individuals, agencies, and departments one can run to for help. This event played a vital role in creating awareness, fostering dialogue, and inspiring positive change.

ZCME and its partners continue to make a significant impact by addressing these critical issues and encouraging a collective effort towards a safer, more just and equal society.

Zonta Club Herzogenaurach, Germany says NO to violence against women through facts, arts and information

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In August we started to photograph local VIPs on our orange bank and collected their statements against violence against women.

Posters were made of them and shared on social media. We decorated a shop window with posters of the statistics and information about were to find help.

On the promenade of our little river we hang out these facts and statements too. In addition, we hung up paintings of a local artist who works with traumatized women.

The event was announced in radio and the newspaper. A tv spot is being made afterwards.

On 25 November we handed out oranges in paper bags with the emergency phone numbers including information about the situation in Europe and worldwide. People had their photos taken with signs “Stop violence against women.“

Zonta Club of Hong Kong’s six Z CLUBS advocated to Say NO to Violence Against Women

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Zonta Club of Hong Kong’s six Z Clubs advocated to ‘Say No to Violence Against Women’ by creating and submitting digital posters that showcased a visual representation of the ‘Zonta Says No to Violence Against Women’ 16 days of Advocacy Campaign.

Some of the Z Clubs posted physical posters around their school, e-mailed them to fellow students and uploaded them to their respective educational platforms and Instagram accounts where students were encouraged to like and to share the post – all helping to inspire and spread the message.

The Z Club of St. Paul’s Convent School won the Zonta Club of Hong Kong’s ‘Zonta Says No Digital Poster Competition’. In this poster, the cruelty of the issue of domestic violence against women is highlighted through a monochromatic design.

Emphasis is placed on the severity of domestic violence as well as the urgency to spread awareness about this problem and protect women’s rights. The digital poster was promoted to the whole school via the school’s educational platform and is expected to reach at least 750 students and teachers.

The physical poster will be pinned next to the school’s main staircase where most all students and teachers will pass every day and will act as a frequent reminder to violence against women.

Together with our future leaders of tomorrow, say NO to violence against women!