UNICEF reports that current progress to end female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) is not sufficient to keep up with the growing population. Unless these trends change, the number of girls who will undergo FGM/C will continue to rise. Say no to FGM/C.
In an effort to increase awareness and education about violence against women, the Zonta Club of Fort Collins has introduced a Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women speaker series.
The first event for the program, called the Zonta Says NO Speaker Series, was in October, Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The speaker for the first event was the Executive Director of Crossroads Safehouse, Pat Parker. Parker spoke to several women about the intricacies of partner violence, victims, and efforts to end violence in Fort Collins.
Following Parker’s speech, Fort Collins Mayor Wade Troxell made a proclamation for the 16 Days of Activism campaign.
Attendees of the event were asked to bring shampoo or conditioner to donate to Safehouse residents.
The second speaker was Diana Laws, a leader in NECCAT, the Northeastern Colorado Coalition Against Trafficking. Laws spoke about human trafficking, the work of the coalition, as well as relayed stark facts about perpetrators and victims.
Attendees were asked to bring an item to add to bags that will be given to the police department to hand out to victims.
During the 16 Days of Activism campaign, the Zonta Club of Fort Collins is continuing to publish facts about human trafficking and violence against women in their area, as well as promoting future series events.
On 8 December, the speaker series will host AJ Ortiz who will give a presentation titled “Human Trafficking 101 in Our Community.”
The January speaker event will host Lisa Poppaw, the executive director of ChildSafe, a nonprofit that provides therapy for victims of sexual abuse.
Half of today’s migrants are women. Zonta is partnering with UN Women to address human trafficking and foreign labor migration of women and girls in Nepal. Join us in saying no to violence against women during the 16 Days of Activism.
Click here for more information on our project in Nepal.
The Zonta Club of The New Territories in Hong Kong kicked off the 16 Days of Activism campaign by performing a song at its 35th Anniversary Charity Dinner.
Members waved orange Zonta Says NO advocacy cards during the performance in front of more than 400 guests and over 20 perspective Zonta club members.
The club also showcased their 35 years of service and advocacy with a video and photo wall. Service partners of the club joined as well.
The Zonta Club of Damme joined with many Zonta clubs around the world to bring orange to a local statue orange. The club, along with the Mayor, draped the statue of Jacob Van Maerlant on the main square in Damme, Belgium.
This was to raise awareness of the start of the 16 Days of Activism and Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women campaign. Several other public and private places were also decorated orange.
While Zonta Damme decorated the statue on the main square in an orange cape, they also asked passersby to dress in orange and speak out against violence. The reactions were posted on the Zonta Club of Damme website.
The Toronto skyline is shining orange, thanks to the Zonta e-Club of Canada 1.
On 25 November, the iconic CN Tower and 3D Toronto sign were lit orange. The Zonta e-Club of Canada 1 specifically requested the 3D Toronto sign be lit during the 16 Days of Activism campaign.
Zontians from the Zonta e-Club of Canada1 met at the “T” in Nathan Phillips Square for a glow-stick vigil.
That same night, Zontians from nearby clubs met at Niagara Falls, Ontario where the fall waters were also bathed in the signature orange color.
Club members said it was exciting to see the national monuments and landmarks lit up in orange as a clear sign of hope and support to put an end to violence against women and girls.
The Zonta Club of Burbank Area successfully collaborated with City of Burbank leaders to add their voice to the Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women and 16 Days of Activism campaign by lighting City Hall orange during the sixteen days.
Mayor Will Rogers joined Zonta club members, Z-club members and other community supporters in memorializing the campaign.
The Los Angeles Times covered the story.
Intimate partner violence is one of the most common forms of violence against women. More than one-third of women worldwide have experienced either physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence or non-partner sexual violence.
On Saturday, 25 November, the Zonta Club of Portland, USA, in District 8, turned the Morrison Bridge orange to raise awareness of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and the start of the 16 Days of Activism.
On Saturday, 25 November, the city of Rotterdam in The Netherlands colored the Erasmus bridge orange.
In the presence of Mayor Ahmed Aboutaleb and Minister Sigrid Kaag, the Zonta Club of Rotterdam in District 29—together with UN Women NL—asked for awareness to stop violence against women in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, and internationally.
Earlier in the afternoon, club members colored the city with yellow roses, as they handed out 500 roses in the main shopping area. They talked to many women, girls and men, and got great support for their action to spread the message to stop violence.
Join us in saying NO 