The Zonta Club of Paradise Point Inc, Australia, amplified the global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign through a series of highly-visible, community actions across the Gold Coast, Queensland. Working collaboratively with community partners, the club ensured that the message “Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women” was widely seen, discussed and heard in public spaces.
A key feature of the campaign was the Orange the World Walk, which brought together Zonta members, supporters and community participants to demonstrate solidarity and commitment to ending gender-based violence. Despite challenging weather conditions that reduced turnout, participants maintained a strong advocacy focus, underscoring their determination to advance the cause.
To extend the campaign’s reach, Zonta Orange Ladies were strategically placed in Gold Coast community centres, local Members of Parliament offices and hospitals. These visual installations served as conversation starters, raising awareness among staff, visitors and service users in everyday settings.
The club also partnered with the Gold Coast City Council to illuminate landmarks and public buildings in orange throughout the campaign period.
The Zonta Club of Jefferson City, MO, USA, arranged a photo with local groups to raise public awareness about ending domestic violence at the local public library. The display featured a large banner reading “Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women,” positioned across from the county jail entrance and surrounded by orange pinwheels to draw attention to the message.
The event brought together representatives from city, county, state and university law enforcement agencies, along with four nonprofit organizations dedicated to supporting survivors and preventing domestic violence. By uniting diverse stakeholders in a single, public space, the action highlighted the shared responsibility of institutions and communities in addressing gender-based violence. The photo was posted on the club’s social media, the Missouri Capitol Police Facebook page, as well as KRCG television’s page.
The Zonta Club of Isabela, Philippines, in partnership with the Golden Z Club of Northeastern College, marked Day 13 of the 16 Days of Activism by focusing on climate justice as a critical women’s rights issue. The activity emphasized how climate change disproportionately affects women and girls, increasing health risks, resource insecurity and vulnerability during disasters.
As part of the observance, the club shared an advocacy video underscoring the message that protecting the planet also means protecting people, particularly women, girls and future generations. The initiative aligned with the global Orange the World campaign, reinforcing the club’s commitment to climate justice as a pillar of gender equality and human rights.
The club also highlighted the importance of inclusive climate action that ensures women’s voices are heard in environmental decision-making and that safeguards are in place for those most at risk. The club also recognized the leadership of young advocates, extending special thanks to Mica Bernardino of the Golden Z Club of Northeastern College for her dedication to advancing climate and gender justice.
Building on this momentum, the club extended its advocacy by launching multiple educational initiatives across Isabela, reaching diverse audiences through targeted legal, mental health and youth-focused programs.
In Roxas, Isabela, the club organized a Legal Symposium on Laws Concerning Women, Mental Health and Wellness, in partnership with the local government and with the support of Board Member Dok Totep Calderon. The forum gathered around 100 participants, including school heads, administrators, guidance counselors and student leaders, to ensure institutional leaders are equipped to multiply the impact of advocacy within their communities. Expert speakers addressed cyberbullying and mental health, the Anti-Photo and Video Voyeurism Act, and the Anti-OSAEC and CSAEM Law, generating strong engagement during open discussions.
The club concluded with another major legal symposium in Cabagan, Isabela, focusing on anti-VAWC laws. Held at the Cabagan Convention Center, the event brought together local government officials, judicial leaders, prosecutors and public attorneys in a unified effort to strengthen legal protection for women and children. Sessions covered key legislation, including the Anti-VAWC Law, anti-rape statutes and cybercrime-related protections, reinforcing the importance of coordinated legal action.
Left to right: Deedee Boysen, Mary Benoit, Bridget Masters, Sheila Davis, Marion King, Marcy O’Toole, Judy Allen
Zonta District 12 Past Governors demonstrated their Zonta Says NO spirit on 5 December during their annual Holiday Luncheon at Rolling Hills Country Club in Golden, Colorado. All District 12 clubs were encouraged to take part in a Zonta Says NO event, and the Past Governors were more than happy to participate in the effort to end gender-based violence.
The Zonta Club II of Colombo, Sri Lanka, convened a landmark program titled “Let’s Talk: Emotional Abuse and Women” to address one of the country’s most widespread yet least discussed forms of violence against women. Emotional abuse, often invisible, erodes dignity, confidence and well-being, making early recognition and response critical.
The initiative brought together professionals who frequently serve as first points of contact for women experiencing abuse, including corporate and bank HR counselors, university and school counselors, motivational speakers, law enforcement officers and members of the clergy. The first segment focused on training these front-line responders to identify, respond to and support women affected by emotional abuse. Family lawyer Shaharana Mowlana led the session, offering practical insights into how emotional abuse manifests in homes, schools and workplaces, and its profound impact on women’s lives.
The program also featured a panel discussion examining emotional and psychological violence from legal, psychological, media and lived-experience perspectives. Moderated by Rasini Bandara, the panel included a leading lawyer, a clinical psychologist, a senior manager for wellness, diversity and inclusion, and a survivor with public visibility. The discussion highlighted gaps in legal protection, mental health support and ethical media practices, while emphasizing trauma-sensitive approaches and collective responsibility in preventing emotional violence.
Beyond education and dialogue, the initiative significantly amplified Zonta’s visibility. Recorded program content reached 17,790 views on Facebook and 42,900 on Instagram. The campaign also received coverage in Lankawoman (online and print) and was featured in national publications, including Daily News and Sunday Ceylon Today, extending the conversation to a broader audience.
During the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, the Zonta Club of Basel, Switzerland, launched impactful initiatives addressing violence against women with disabilities, aligning with Switzerland’s 2025 theme.
A WenDo self-defense course was offered to 16 women and girls with cognitive and physical disabilities, providing practical skills in self-protection and confidence-building. Participants reported feeling more self-assured and secure, with many noting that the experience was both empowering and enjoyable.
The club also organized an inclusive art exhibition titled “Designed with Inclusion, Painted with Emotion,” showcasing artworks created by women with disabilities. Displayed in public spaces throughout the city, the paintings emerged from a workshop where participants expressed experiences of violence, imposed limitations and resilience. One participant shared that, for the first time, she felt truly heard.
To further raise awareness, the club hosted a street event highlighting the everyday challenges faced by people with disabilities and distributed 5,000 informational flyers titled “The Spiral of Violence.” The materials, which included emergency contact numbers, were placed in libraries, hospitals, doctors’ offices, cafés and restaurants to reach women in need.
In support of the global Orange the World campaign, the Basel Theater pyramids were illuminated in orange, creating a powerful visual statement of solidarity. The campaign was amplified through daily posts on Instagram and LinkedIn, generating strong engagement and encouraging public dialogue on inclusion, safety and violence prevention.
Members of the Zonta Club of Kankakee, USA, held a public book club discussion of “A Good Wife: Escaping the Life I Never Chose” by Dr. Samra Zafar. Hosted at a local woman-owned bookstore, the event created a welcoming space for meaningful dialogue on child marriage, culture, domestic violence, hope and resilience.
The club left copies of the book at the bookstore to be raffled and will also raffle additional copies to club members.
The Zonta Club of New Rochelle, USA, members participated in and promoted the Zonta Say NO Virtual Summit held on 10 December. The club used the Summit as a vehicle to advance conversations on gender equity and male allyship. Club members widely shared information about the Summit across their personal and professional networks, inviting friends, neighbors and colleagues to attend and engage with one or more sessions.
Despite being a small club of just 12 members, the Zonta Club of Albury–Wodonga Inc., Australia, made a significant impact during the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence. Over the campaign period, members participated in events on 10 of the 16 days, while their orange displays and advocacy symbols remained visible throughout the entire observance.
The campaign began with large-scale “orange bombing,” with members decorating four large trees in Albury and 20 smaller trees across the Murray River in Wodonga, creating striking symbols of solidarity. Throughout the 16 days, “orange ladies” appeared across business districts and community events, reinforcing the campaign’s visibility. The club also successfully requested that the Wodonga Council illuminate the Water Tower on the main street in orange for the first five days of the campaign.
Members engaged in education and collaboration, including participation in a webinar on coercive control hosted by the Zonta e-Club NSW/ACT and led by investigative journalist Jess Hill. The club partnered with Wodonga TAFE to host a Walk and Talk and marketplace event attended by approximately 100 people, and supported a community vigil honoring the 68 women and 24 children killed by known perpetrators, marked by the placement of a native flower beneath local flagpoles.
Additional advocacy efforts included attending a talk by tennis player Jelena Dokic on surviving abuse, partnering with local Rotary clubs to organize a Walk Against Digital Violence in Albury, and joining a rural walk in Yackandandah with schoolchildren, community groups and even ponies. Members also supported a neighborhood center-hosted luncheon featuring a Zonta-led barbecue, a merchandise stall and mentoring for a local event management student.
On the final day, members dismantled the tree displays and gathered for a celebratory shared meal, reflecting on their collective efforts and the meaningful impact achieved through collaboration, visibility and community engagement.
The Zonta Club of Glens Falls, USA, purchased two billboards in their community to raise awareness and action against trafficking of women and girls locally and regionally.