In the news: Zonta Club of Kyneton raises awareness of gender-based violence

Source: Midland Express

Did you know the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence originated from a petition circulated during the 1991 United Nations World Conference on Human Rights? This petition called on the conference committee to address women’s human rights and recognise gender-based violence as a human rights issue. 

Three decades on, the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is a widely recognised global campaign that encourages action to prevent and end violence against women and girls. 

The 16 Days of Activism begins on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (November 25) and ends on International Human Rights Day (December 10). The dates for the campaign were chosen to link violence against women and human rights. 

During this time, organisations and individuals from around the world raise awareness that women’s rights are human rights, and that violence against women is a fundamental violation of those human rights. 

This year, the Zonta Club of Kyneton continues working with several other community organisations, through Macedon Ranges, to raise awareness of gender-based violence, challenge discriminatory attitudes and encourage community-based support for those living with violence. 

During the 16 Days campaign, the club has static displays at the Kyneton Community Window (Mollison Street) and Macedon Ranges Libraries. The Kyneton Town Hall will be illuminated orange each night for 16 Days (the colour for 16 Days). 

The club will join others in the shire for the MRSC Walk Against Family Violence at 11am on Thursday November 30 in Woodend. 
Community members are invited to join Zonta at a special pop-up event to close the campaign at the Social Foundry Café in Kyneton on December 9 at 10am. Go along and learn more about Zonta and 16 days of Days of Activism against Gender- Based Violence, while sharing a cuppa and cake with the passionate club members. 

If you would like to know more about the Zonta Club of Kyneton and the service and advocacy work it does locally for women and girls, contact the club via secretary@zontakyneton.org.au or through its socials.

Source: https://midlandexpress.com.au/community/2023/11/21/16-days-of-activism-against-gender-based-violence/

In the news: Zonta Club of Grand Island says NO to violence against women

Zonta Club of Grand Island President Ricki Harper, left, with club Vice President Heidi Travagline, pose near a banner proclaiming “Zonta Says No to Violence Against Women.” Zonta members decorated the Town Commons with orange ribbons; the color orange is used to represent a brighter future, free from violence against women and girls.
Source: Niagara Frontier Publications

On Monday, Nov. 13, members of the Zonta Club of Grand Island once again decorated the Town Commons with orange ribbons; the color orange is used to represent a brighter future, free from violence against women and girls.
At Monday’s Town Board meeting, a proclamation will be issued on behalf of Zonta’s “16 Days of Activism.”
Also, the “Zonta Says No” banner will be displayed on the Grand Island Welcome sign on the Town Commons.

History
The “16 Days of Activism” runs from Nov. 25 through Dec. 10. In 2008, The United Nations designated Nov. 25 as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and Girls.
On Dec. 10, 1948, the UN General Assembly created a groundbreaking global pledge, “The Universal Declaration of Human Rights.” It enshrines the inalienable rights that everyone is entitled to as a human being – regardless of race, color, religion, gender, language, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.

‘Zonta Says No’ to Violence
Violence against women and girls is one of the most pervasive human rights violations and a global threat, according to Zonta International. It knows no national or cultural barriers; it takes place at home, in the workplace and in open spaces; it affects millions of women and girls in peacetime and conflict. It includes psychological, physical and sexual violence. 
Zonta envisions a world where no woman lives in fear of violence. Through the “Zonta Says No to Violence Against Women” campaign, Zonta members and allies stand together, uniting their voices to advocate for all those who have suffered gender-based violence.

Source: https://www.wnypapers.com/news/article/current/2023/11/17/157852/zonta-says-no-to-violence-against-women

In the news: Zonta Club of Bradford presented with a proclamation from mayor

Source: The Bradford Era
Zonta Club of Bradford was presented with a proclamation from Mayor Tom Riel at Tuesday’s Bradford City Council meeting.

Receiving the proclamation were (from left) club members Holly Puglio, president, and Ginny Crouse. Nov. 25 begins Zonta’s 16 Days of Advocacy shedding a light on violence against women.

From Nov. 25 to Dec. 10 orange lights at area merchants, local residences and public buildings show support of the We Say No to Violence Against Women campaign.

Visit the Zonta Club’s Facebook page for more information about how to get involved.

Source: https://www.bradfordera.com/news/zonta-clubs-16-days-of-advocacy-coming-soon/article_3230921a-83eb-11ee-8416-ab727e61f415.html

Zonta clubs in Sweden host webinar with UN Women Sweden on Orange Day

Today, the Zonta clubs in Sweden hosted a joint webinar with UN Women Sweden on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. The aim of the webinar was to create awareness that violence against women is still common in Sweden and has even gotten worse during the COVID-19 pandemic with victims being locked in with their perpetrators.

Four prominent speakers shared their knowledge and experience of working with these issues within Swedish organizations and politics, including Juno Blom, Party Secretary for Liberalerna and Member of Parliament, Jonas Trolle, Head of Center Against Pro-Violence Extremism, Maria Björsson, Business Developer at Unizon Girl and Women Shelters, and Omar Makram, Expert and Project Manager at the GAPF Association.

The webinar provided participants with useful tools and knowledge about where to turn to get help to enable them to commit to acting against gender-based violence. Since the webinar was free, the clubs urged participants to instead donate to Zonta International’s project to end child marriage.

Zonta Club of Ipswich in Australia says ‘no’ to violence threat

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From 25 November until 10  December, the Zonta Club of Ipswich, Australia and its community sponsors, will place 16 orange ladies at locations around Ipswich.The Zonta Club of Ipswich president, Karen Newton, said the activity acknowledged the international campaign of 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence and the Zonta Says NO campaign.

In addition to supporting its international projects, the Zonta Club of Ipswich has financially supported organisations such as the Ipswich Women’s Centre Against Domestic Violence and Hannah’s House.

To show your support for this campaign, the Zonta Club of Ipswich is inviting you to post your photograph with at least one orange lady on the club’s Facebook page or by using the hashtag #orangeladies. You may also wish to write a message of support on one of the orange ladies near you.

Click here (http://www.qt.com.au/news/zonta-campaign-says-no-to-violence-threat/2094103/) to read the full story.