Deborah Wallace with students and a teacher from Abbotsleigh

Throughout 2013, the members of the Zonta Club of Hornsby Ku-ring- gai Inc. have focused on the Zonta Says No campaign.

In February, members organized a very successful film afternoon that attracted more than 60 guests.

In May, the group, Vocal Infusions, consisting of singing students of members, Elizabeth Dracakis, performed a medley of songs to another packed room.

In August the manager of Delvena, a Women’s Refuge, spoke about the work she does with women who suffer domestic violence.

In September, they awarded Woman of Achievement to Nasiba Akram for her work in helping refugees from war torn Afghanistan find a haven in Australia.

On Friday, 22 November, the club held the most significant of their fundraisers with a “Zonta Says No” breakfast. Over 80 guests were inspired and deeply moved by the speaker, Detective Superintendent, Deborah Wallace APM, NSW Police. Everyone present listened intently to Deborah’s early history in the Police force, her work with men, her incredible achievements and her amazing and heartfelt support of the family of Anita Coby. The 30 students from Abbotsleigh (where there is a Z club) , Roseville College, and Mt St Benedict lingered after her talk to speak to Deborah as did the Mayor of Ku-ring-gai council and her fellow councilors as everyone wanted to speak further to such an awesome achiever in the world of men. The club was also pleased to welcome Melanie Anne Holland, a representative from Samaritan House to whom all funds raised will go.

The breakfast was a fabulous climax to a year of achievement for the club. Congratulations to all members for contributing time and energy to make this a reality.

Melanie-Anne Holland from Samaritan House, Deborah Wallace and President Anne Richardson

The Zonta Auckland North Shore Club from District 16 used the images on Zonta Says NO website but made them into one jpeg. They then posted this image (above) on Facebook, which was then boosted to a wider audience. The club also posted a booklet they developed (D16 booklet).

The club also visited two locations (2 Shopping Centers) on the 24th and encouraged people to write their name on paper dolls that they attached to a mannequin to pledge their support for the campaign.

Zonta Club of Kauai, Hawaii supports Zonta Says NO by passing out orange ribbons and brochures at a Zonta Says NO booth at Pink Sunday- YWCA Kaua’i Women’s Expo. 

Area 4 Clubs in District 17 gathered 16,000 signatures  for their “A Thousand and More Signatures” campaign to raise awareness and increase activism to end violence against women.

The Zonta Club of Rockhampton, District 22 Australia, launched the Domestic and Family Violence Safety Card at the Zonta Says NO Information Booth at the Rockhampton Heritage Markets on 24 November as part of the Zonta Says NO Campaign. The cards were produced by the Women’s Health Centre in Rockhampton and sponsored by the Rockhampton Zonta Club.

A joint effort at the information booth by members of the Zonta Club and representatives of Women’s Health focused on promoting the safety of individuals and families, believing that it is a person’s right to be safe from violence and abuse.

A large number of brochures, cards and posters were made available detailing a lot of information regarding the problem. The very popular Heritage Markets boast a passing traffic of 6,500, so the opportunity to spread the word was significant.

The Zonta Club of Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario wanted to mark the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence campaign in a way that would resonate with the community. Sixteen members of the Club are hoping to make a difference by speaking out on an aspect of violence against women and children that is particularly meaningful to them.

Make a sound that will be heard around the world: Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women and Girls

 
Zonta clubs Tampere I and II from the town of Tampere, Finland organized on 25 November, the seminar “Say NO to the violence against women and girls”. Psychotherapist Marketta Suontakanen-Kamaja, Candidate of Social Sciences Eija Eronen and Police Officer Anna-Kaisa Heinämäki told what they have learned about violence against women through their jobs and research.

For the panel discussion they were joined by MP, Zontian Sofia Vikman, Specialist of Safety, Zontian Tarja Ojala and Project Manager Satu Hintikka. Television journalist, Zontian Helena Itkonen hosted the panel. The panelists thanked Zonta International for the great campaign Zonta Says NO. Zero tolerance is the only way to stop the violence, they pointed and encouraged us everyone to step in if we experience violence or see it or even suspect someone has experienced it.

The seminar also demanded that the society must secure enough shelters and other services for the victims of violence.

Above photo: Panelists from the left: MP Sofia Vikman, Specialist of Safety Tarja Ojala, Psychoterapist Marketta Suontakanen-Kamaja, Journalist Helena Itkonen, Police Officer Anna-Kaisa Heinämäki, Project Manager Satu Hintikka and Candidate of Social Sciences Eija Eronen. Photo: Tuija Heikkilä.

It’s official – the 16 Days of Activism have begun! While the International Directors were at Zonta Headquarters for the recent meeting of the Board of Directors, they shared their thoughts on Zonta Says NO. Check out this video to see what they had to say, and feel free to share it on your social networks.