Members of the Zonta Club of Kitchener – Waterloo spoke to their news station, CTV Kitchener about their video campaign and that both men and women are needed to take action as part of their activities for the Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women campaign.

Watch the video clip here: http://kitchener.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=508324

Members of the Zonta Club of Ipswich Inc arranged to have this “Orange Lady” stand in the front windows of a salon, swimming pool, and community center to bring attention to the issue of violence against women.

The Zonta Club of Toledo I sponsored several silhouettes, remembering victims of domestic violence, that are used throughout their community for demonstrations, etc.

At a club meeting, they presented information about the 16 Days of Activism and the Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women campaign projects, and brought the silhouettes, remembered them, and then gathered together to present a united front against violence.

The Northwest Ohio Silent Witness Project is housed and maintained by the Women’s Center of Bowling Green State University.

On 5 December, representatives of District 30, Area 05 of Zonta International met with the President of the National Assembly of the Republic of Bulgaria on the occasion of the “16 Days of Activism Against Violence Against Women” campaign. Ms. Tsetska Tsatcheva was presented with the Declaration from the Geneva Forum and the recommendations for action on the Beijing+20 Platform. The representatives discussed the opportunities for Zonta clubs to start the process of signing and ratification of the Istanbul Convention, as well as further participation on a national level in discussing the problems of women.

The President of the National Assembly of Bulgaria received the orange ribbon, symbolizing the “Zonta says NO to Violence Against Women” campaign from the Area 05 Director D-r Venelina Mileva. The Chairman of the Parliament promised she would wear the ribbon until 10 December while presiding the parliamentary sessions.

Ms. Tsatcheva already received the text of the Istanbul Convention and has started the process of discussions and negotiations, in order for Bulgaria, a Council of Europe member country, to ratify it.

The District 30, Area 05 representatives included: Director D-r Venelina Mileva,Vladimira Tracheva, Advocacy Committe Chair D 30,  Maria Stefanova past ZI Director 2012-2014, Diana Ivanova, President ZC Burgas, Miglena Avramova, President ZC Varna, Ivanka Mihaylova, President ZC Stara Zagora.

Background of Topic:

What is the Voices Against Violence Project?
During the 2014-2016 Biennium, Zonta International is partnering with UN Women to support Voices against Violence: a non-formal education curriculum for the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts on ending violence against women and girls.

With 10 million Girl Guides and Girl Scouts from 145 countries across the world, the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) is the largest voluntary movement dedicated to girls and young women in the world and can be found in many of the 67 countries where Zonta International has clubs. The Zonta International project will run in the following 12 countries: Japan, Korea, Philippines, Democratic Republic of Congo, Burkina Faso, Rwanda, Nigeria, Malawi, Zambia, Canada, USA, and Brazil.

Ideas for the Day:

• Meet with club members to read through the Voices Against Violence Guidelines for Zonta District and Club Participation. Create an action plan!
• Donate to the ZISVAW Fund.

Hashtag: #ZontaSaysNO #16Days  #Lead4Girls

Images to Share:
Find the below image here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/unwomen/10188384396/in/set-72157636391875033

Background of Topic:

Women leaders in communities, businesses and governments contribute to more stable and just societies, economic growth, quality of life for families and communities, and the achievement of internationally-agreed goals for sustainable development. (World Economic Forum, 2012).

Despite increased acknowledgement of the added benefits of women in leadership, according to UN Global Impact, there continues to be a disproportion between women and men in decision-making roles in both the public and private sectors due to the perpetuation of gender stereotypes.

Ideas for the Day:

• Send letters to female leaders in your community urging them to take a stand against violence against women and girls.
• Enlist women leaders to share messages about ending violence against women and girls via social media using the hashtags #ZontaSaysNO and #16Days
• Call on women leaders in your community to raise awareness of violence against women and girls and the need for immediate action.
• Learn about Quentin Bryce, International Honorary Member of Zonta International and head of Australian Government’s new domestic violence task.
• Invite women parliamentarians and community leaders to issue video messages wearing orange, stating their support for efforts to end violence against women and girls
• Write an opinion piece and send to your local newspaper reinforcing the need to prioritize the issue.

Hashtag: #ZontaSaysNO #16Days

Images and Videos to Share:

• Quentin Bryce, International Honorary Member of Zonta International and head of the Australian Government’s new domestic violence task, shares her thoughts about combatting domestic violence.
• Beijing+20 and Women in Decision-Making: Time to Shatter the Glass Ceiling https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-r-joRhNBo

Background of Topic:

“Throughout the world, one in three women will experience violence, such as beating, rape, or assault, in their lifetime.”  This figure was first reported by UNIFEM (now UN Women) a decade ago [in 2003]. Its validity has since been reinforced/confirmed. Sexually violent acts can take place in different circumstances and settings, including rape (within marriage and relationships, by strangers and during armed conflict), unwanted sexual advances or sexual harassment, sexual abuse of children, and forced married or cohabitation.

Ideas for the Day:

• Share the image below

Hashtag: #ZontaSaysNo #16Days

Images to Share:

• Find this infographic here: http://beijing20.unwomen.org/en/infographic/evaw
  
  

Background of Topic:

The Z Club and Golden Z Club program is one of Zonta International’s longest-running programs. Z clubs and Golden Z clubs help high school, college and university students develop leadership skills, promote career exploration and encourage members to participate in community, school and international service projects.

Young people are a driving force for change and they use their knowledge power and passion to challenge negative attitudes, gender stereotypes and behavior that can lead to violence against women and girls.

Organization Tie-In:

See how the UNiTE to End Violence against Women campaign engages the youth every 25^th of the month for Orange Day.

Ideas for the Day:

• Share messages on the Golden Z club and Z club Facebook pages regarding gender discrimination on campus and in your school.
• Work with youth activists and student groups to organize an event, fundraiser, concert, or walk/run to raise awareness of the issue. Get a reporter to cover your school event.
• Turn your campus orange to support the Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women Campaign. Distribute information about the campaign and facts about violence against women and girls.
• Write letters to your school newspaper editors to raise awareness of the issue.
• Use orange chalk to #orangeurhood on campus, and encourage all students to get involved.

Hashtag: #ZontaSaysNO #orangeurhood #16Days

Images and Videos to Share:

• Watch for a video on the Zonta Says NO Facebook page of the Z Club and Golden Z Club members from around the world sharing their experience with gender inequality and violence on their campus.

Background of Topic:

Street harassment, or sexual harassment in public spaces, occurs when people are targeted or discriminated against based on their identity, which includes gender, race, socio-economic status, and sexual orientation, according to Stop Street Harassment.

Street harassment is a human rights issue because it limits women’s ability to be in public as often or as comfortably as most men. Read the United Nations’ stance on the issue.

In March 2013, for the first time, the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women included several clauses about sexual harassment in public spaces in its Agreed Conclusions, showing a shift in how this issue is viewed and its level of importance.

Ideas for the Day:

• Become active in your local government. See if your city has taken measures to curb street harassment such as improving lighting and training more police officers.
• Mark your calendar. International Anti-Street Harassment Week, a program of Stop Street Harassment, is 12-18 April. Learn how you can participate.
• Join NGO Hollaback! in their movement to end street harassment around the world by following these crucial steps.
• Take some time to read through the “Know Your Rights” guide written by Hollaback! and the Thomas Reuters Foundation to learn the legal definitions and information on all forms of street harassment across 22 countries.
• Is street harassment prevalent in your community? Share your thoughts on the Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women Facebook page.

Hashtag: #ZontaSaysNo #16 Days #Hollaback! #StopStreetHarassment

Images and Videos to Share:

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