The Zonta Club of Dhaka IV, Bangladesh, held its 9th general meeting and Eid reunion on 16 April.
The meeting was led by Club President Naheed Shaheen. Members engaged in meaningful discussions focused on empowering women and girls and strategizing future advocacy actions.
Following the meeting, members celebrated friendship and fellowship over lunch, strengthening their shared commitment to making a difference. The club looks forward to continuing its journey of empowerment.
For the first time in Philippine history, indigenous women from Mindanao courageously came together to break the silence on child marriage during a groundbreaking public forum. This event marked a pivotal moment in amplifying the voices of women and communities long affected by this harmful practice.
The forum highlighted the December 2023 law prohibiting marriage and cohabitation for individuals aged 17 and below. However, discussions revealed that child marriage continues to persist, not only in rural and Muslim communities but also in subtle practices, such as fundraising events that commodify girls, often leading them to marriages with men twice or thrice their age.
In partnership with Lalang Hu Mga Laga and the Zonta Club of Metro Greenhills, Philippines, the forum featured firsthand accounts from Mindanaoan women, whose testimonies shed light on the realities and struggles of child brides. Representatives from various sectors offered reflections and reactions, fostering a deep and meaningful dialogue.
Child marriage was strongly condemned for depriving children of their education, freedom and opportunity to dream. The discussions culminated in a compelling call to action, urging systemic change through education. This included educating not just girls, but also boys, parents, and entire communities, to reshape mindsets, practices, and cultures.
The club gives thanks to Zonta e-Club of the Philippines III for partnering for online livestreaming of the forum via Zoom. Donors for roll out projects of Lalang Hu Mga Laga to include Zonta Club of Greater Rizal II, Manila I and Marikina.
What began as a platform to share struggles transformed into a celebration of courage, unity and hope. This forum stands as a testament to the resilience and power of women working together to pave the way for a future free from the shackles of child marriage.
On 9 December, the International Justice Mission (IJM) Manila and Zonta International District 17 Area 1, led by Director Rowena Plan, formalized a groundbreaking partnership to fight Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children (OSAEC). Spearheaded by the Zonta Club of Metro Greenhills, Philippines, after six years of collaboration with IJM, this initiative empowers all 16 Area 1 clubs to become advocates against OSAEC.
OSAEC, a growing crime in the Philippines driven by poverty and digital access, has victimized one in six Filipino children. In March 2025, Zontians will receive IJM-led training and engage in advocacy efforts. The Zonta e-Club of the Philippines III has also initiated local dialogues, including one with Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto, to expand support networks. This alliance aims to increase reporting, support survivors and pursue justice—marking a united stand to protect children and end online exploitation.
The Zonta Club of Laguna, Philippines, recently led two impactful events aimed at raising awareness, funds and solidarity in the fight against violence against women and children (VAWC). Through a community walk and a charity run, the club emphasized the power of collective action and creative advocacy to advance gender equality and social justice.
Held at the Biñan Track Oval and Football Field, the Zonta Club of Laguna, Philippines, hosted the Orange the World Run, a community-centered Fun Run for a Cause that raised $2,153 to support anti-VAWC initiatives.
Open to participants of all fitness levels, the event featured multiple race categories and welcomed runners dressed in orange to show solidarity in the global fight against gender-based violence. In addition to the race, the event offered interactive activities, educational booths and sponsor-supported initiatives that created a vibrant and engaging atmosphere.
This initiative proved the power of combining health promotion and social advocacy, drawing strong community participation and support. Proceeds from the event will directly support the club’s community-based programs focused on VAWC prevention, survivor support and educational campaigns.
More than just a fundraiser, the Orange the World Run stood as a powerful testament to what a united community can achieve when it runs together for a cause that truly matters—helping raise awareness about gender-based violence while promoting healthy lifestyle choices.
The club also hosted the Solidarity Walk Against Violence Against Women and Children, bringing together a diverse group of participants—including members of the club, students from the Z and Golden Z Clubs of St. Michael’s College of Laguna and participants from the Orange the World Run.
Wearing orange—the global color of hope and change—participants marched together while chanting and holding banners with anti-VAWC messages, amplifying awareness and engaging the community. The presence of student advocates emphasized strong youth involvement, while intergenerational participation highlighted widespread community support.
The walk also featured group activities that fostered connection and conversation, reinforcing solidarity among attendees. The event was an educational platform linking experienced advocates with emerging youth leaders. The club showcased the power of partnerships between schools and civic organizations in addressing violence against women and children.
The Zonta Club of Laguna, Philippines, recently organized an inspiring Anti-Violence Against Women and Children (VAWC) Slogan Writing Contest at the Biñan Track Oval and Football Field. This event served as a platform for creative expression, aiming to raise awareness and advocate for the prevention of gender-based violence.
Participants were encouraged to craft powerful and memorable slogans that emphasized key messages such as promoting awareness of VAWC prevention, inspiring community action, encouraging the reporting of incidents, supporting survivors and highlighting the role of the community in ending violence. The contest welcomed individuals from diverse backgrounds, each bringing their creativity and passion to the advocacy.
To ensure fairness and impact, the contest followed structured guidelines, focusing on concise and meaningful messaging in both Filipino and English. A panel of judges evaluated the entries based on creativity, clarity and effectiveness in conveying the message. The most compelling slogans were recognized and awarded, with winning entries displayed publicly to maximize awareness.
The contest not only generated meaningful discussions but also demonstrated how creative initiatives can serve as effective tools for advocacy. By tapping into the power of words, the ckyv successfully fostered awareness and action against VAWC, reinforcing the importance of community involvement in addressing this crucial social issue.
“Protektahan ang Kamusmusan” is an innovative educational initiative developed by Ms. Chary Mercado and hosted at St. Michael’s College of Laguna in Biñan City. This project uses a comic series to address the critical issue of protecting children from sexual predators, making essential lessons on personal safety more engaging and accessible.
The comic series serves as an age-appropriate tool for educating children, parents and educators about child protection. Through carefully crafted narratives and illustrations, it presents sensitive topics in a way that children can understand and relate to while offering practical safety strategies and prevention measures. It delivers educational content through visual storytelling, providing resource materials for parents and educators, and offering interactive discussion guides to facilitate conversations about personal safety. The series also includes practical safety tips and prevention strategies, ensuring that both children and adults are equipped with the knowledge needed to recognize and prevent potential dangers.
This initiative reflects St. Michael’s College of Laguna’s commitment to child protection and safety education. Using creative and engaging methods, it empowers children with awareness while giving parents and educators effective tools to discuss and address these critical safety concerns.
“San Pedro Says NO” is a powerful community-driven solidarity campaign based in San Pedro City, Laguna, uniting mothers, pregnant women, and breastfeeding mothers in a collective stand against Violence Against Women and Children (VAWC).
This grassroots initiative brings together women from all walks of life, particularly focusing on mothers and expectant mothers, to raise awareness about domestic violence and child abuse while building a supportive network within the community. The campaign emphasizes the unique perspective and role of mothers in protecting both themselves and their children from violence and abuse.
The campaign includes community awareness programs led by and for mothers, support networks for pregnant and breastfeeding women, educational sessions on women’s and children’s rights, resource sharing for domestic violence prevention and intervention and advocacy activities that promote safe and nurturing family environments.
The campaign exemplifies San Pedro City’s commitment to creating a violence-free community by empowering mothers as key advocates and change-makers in the fight against domestic violence and child abuse. Through this initiative, the city strengthens its stance on protecting its most vulnerable citizens while fostering a culture of mutual support and protection.
The “Kick Off: Zonta Says No” ceremony, held in the historic district of Intramuros, Manila, marked the powerful beginning of the 16 Days of Activism campaign for District 17 Area 5. This significant event brought together representatives from all 20 clubs within Area 5, demonstrating their unified commitment to ending violence against women and children.
The ceremony served as a rallying point for Zonta members across Area 5, launching a coordinated series of advocacy activities and awareness campaigns. Set against the backdrop of Intramuros’ historic walls, the event symbolized the strong foundation of Zonta’s mission while looking forward to creating positive change in communities.
This kickoff event exemplified the strength of collective action within Zonta International’s District 17 Area 5, setting the tone for an impactful 16-day awareness-raising campaign and community engagement in the fight against gender-based violence.
The Zonta Club of Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines, in partnership with the Rotary Club of Nueva Vizcaya South, led by President Romano M. Martillana, hosted a forum on online sexual abuse and exploitation of children (OSAEC), online sexual abuse and exploitation materials (OSAEM), and the law on early marriage, as part of Bambang National High School’s Women’s Month celebration.
The forum aligned with the school’s theme, “Guidance Symposium for the ARAL OF FERSON Project 4.0,” proposed by School Guidance Counselor III Jannette V. Calata, RGC, RPm. The event aimed to raise awareness and strengthen legal understanding among students regarding these urgent issues.
Club President, Attorney May-Ann M. Beting-Pilpil, opened the session by introducing Zonta’s mission and providing an overview of OSAEC, OSAEM and early marriage laws. She stressed the importance of awareness and legal knowledge in protecting children and young people from online exploitation and forced marriage.
Prosecutor Wendell Bautista of the Rotary Club of Nueva Vizcaya South deepened the discussion with an in-depth legal analysis, highlighting severe penalties for offenders and the legal safeguards in place for victims.
The forum clarified key points of the law for participants. Under the Anti-Child Pornography Act (RA 9775) and the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act (RA 9208, as amended), OSAEC includes crimes such as live-streamed abuse, grooming, and trafficking of minors. OSAEM pertains to digital materials depicting child sexual abuse, strictly prohibited under the Cybercrime Prevention Act (RA 10175) and the Anti-Child Pornography Act.
Additionally, the Prohibition of Child Marriage Law (RA 11596) criminalizes the arrangement, facilitation, or solemnization of marriages involving minors under 18 years old, protecting children—particularly girls—from early pregnancies, interrupted education, and limited future opportunities.
Prosecutor Bautista underscored the legal consequences for violators and the rights available to victims, emphasizing the need for vigilance and community action to prevent such crimes.
The forum was part of the club’s MEN’s Initiative to End Violence Against Women (MIND VAW) campaign, which actively engages men and boys in eliminating gender-based violence. The students’ enthusiastic participation reflected their eagerness to understand their rights and responsibilities.
On 8 March, International Women’s Day, Zonta Club of Punta del Este-Maldonado, Uruguay, in partnership with the local government of Maldonado, hosted a meeting to exchange ideas on the situation of violence against women in the country.
The event featured prominent speakers, including Dr. Beatriz Argimón, the first woman elected Vice President of Uruguay; journalist Mónica Bottero, former Director of the National Women’s Institute; Departmental Police Director Nancy Amaral; and Zonta member Dr. Elba Pereyra, all recognized experts in gender violence. Each speaker declared, “Zonta says no to violence against women,” and called for a societal shift to reject the cultural norms that continue to justify violence. They also emphasized the urgent need to demand the enforcement of laws that prevent violence, protect victims and punish perpetrators of gender-based violence.
The speakers outlined the devastating impact violence has on women and families and stressed that such violence is unacceptable. They further explained the country’s legal framework and the protective measures judges can implement to safeguard victims’ lives.
The event drew a large audience, and one male attendee remarked that he was deeply moved by the discussion, acknowledging that he had been unaware of many of the issues raised and would take time to reflect on what he had learned.
Local media outlets covered the event, helping to raise visibility for Zonta and its advocacy efforts within the community.
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