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By donating €32,000 to the Zonta Club of Tartu, Estonia, the Finnish Clubs of District 20 made it possible for the Tartu Club to launch their club project, “Prevention of Violence against Women in Estonia”, and operate it for 15 months.
This project was managed by the Tähtvere Avatud Naistekeskus – the Tähtvere Open Centre for Women – and it was completed at the end of 2012. To wind up their work, the committee in charge published a book about the project, “Real-life Stories”.
Ms Meeli Lokk of the Zonta Club of Tartu reports: “A book of real-life stories, ‘ The Brides of Bluebeard’ was published on 8 March, 2013. In it, seven women tell their individual stories of living in a violent relationship. The publication of this book marks the end of the Yellow Rose Campaign Project of ZI District 20, Area 6, and the Zonta Club of Tartu.
This project enabled us to give counselling to women, children and mothers, to arrange a camp-meeting in the country for women and children, to publish brochures and booklets, to arrange an inter-Estonian campaign against family violence and to publish this book.
The book contains seven stories of women who got help from the Women’s Centre. They each tell their own story by starting from their childhood until they left their violent partner. What is important about their stories is the happy end. It was also important for these women to tell their stories, since, by doing so, they hope to be able to help other women facing the same situation. The book is also a myth-buster, as most of these women are highly educated and can manage their lives very well. When women, who are in the same situation, read this book, they might recognize the signs of danger and take action. The women in the book often say that had they known how to read the signs, they would have understood the situation and reacted sooner. The editor of the book is Krista Kivisalu, who also interviewed the participants.”
Race Car drivers at the Bandimere Speedway in Colorado, USA joined the Zonta Club of Lakewood Golden on a sunny Saturday in July to support the “Zonta Says No” campaign to raise awareness concerning domestic against women and girls.
With the slogan “Real Men Hit the Track, Not Women and Children”, Bandimere and the racers devoted a full day to helping local Zontians spread the word. A booth was set up with literature offering a menu of options available with local resources for all aspects of domestic violence and abuse.
Orange wristbands with the ZONTA SAYS NO logo were distributed to racers and spectators who were all very supportive and interested in the program. Drivers also displayed banners on their cars in support of the program and offered photo ops for spectators and other drivers.
Zonta Club of Lakewood Golden serves S. Jefferson County, including, Golden, Lakewood and Littleton Colorado. Our club has been active in advocating to prevent violence against women and girls since its organization in 1977. We were instrumental in helping our local legislature endorse CEDAW a few years ago as well as working with Victim Outreach Information of Golden CO promoting their ACT against Violence menu of options program.
Central Oklahoma achieved new heights in advocacy in the campaign to end violence against women and girls in their local community. Following Zonta International’s lead with the “Zonta Says No” billboard campaign, Central Oklahoma is very pleased and excited to announce the new “Zonta Says No” billboard that now adorns a key Oklahoma City street.
The Zonta Club of Hamilton 1, District 4 in Canada, joined many other women’s organizations on Thursday, 12 September 2013 at their annual Take Back the Night march.
Hundreds of women rallied, then marched. Zontians handed out Zonta Says No postcards and ribbons as they all advocated for safe streets for women.
The Zonta Club of Wellington continued its focus on the Zonta Says NO campaign at its August meeting when it hosted Sue Lytollis, from Women’s Refuge to be its guest speaker.
Sue is passionate about defending women’s rights especially the right to safety and a life free from violence. Sue reminded the club that as adults, they need to be very careful about the messages they send girls when discussing violence. Members need to encourage girls to talk with an adult if they are concerned about their safety, rather than have them be afraid to tell adults how they are feeling.
Sue not only talked about violence against women, she demonstrated some women’s self defense skills, which the members eagerly practiced! Throat releases and the punch were some of the techniques.
A great occasion which combined fun, and some practical skills!
Below: Members practice the punch self defense move.
The Zonta Club of Kansas City II, MO, USA recently presented a Zonta Says No to Violence.
In addition to offering information about Zonta International and the local club, orange Zonta Says No T-Shirts were sold to event participants.Against Women information booth at the 2013 Women’s Equality Week of Greater Kansas City Kickoff Rally.
A great way to spread the word about Zonta and the Zonta Says No campaign!
From the Magazine of Santa Clarita:
Zonta “Says NO!” This 2013 campaign is to raise awareness of violence and increase actions to end violence against women and girls around the world. During the 16 Days of Activism, November 25 to December 10, Zonta International’s goal is for over 30,000 members in more than 1,200 clubs, in 64 countries to work simultaneously to prevent violence against women and girls in their communities.
For the 16 days of Activism in the community of Santa Clarita, Zonta will display a visual “mountain of shoes” in Westfield Valencia Town Center. Each shoe will represent a local victim of domestic violence – male and female. Red shoes will represent those individuals who have died as a result of domestic violence. Each shoe will represent an individual who has suffered domestic violence abuse; this “mountain of shoes” will be secured to a frame and have an attached tag to identify the age of each. Zonta, partnering with Domestic Violence Center, will provide educational information to those who view the “mountain” about the signs, symptoms and impact of domestic violence and abuse on victims and others.
Zonta’s annual Celebrity Tribute “Awesome Elegance” will honor Marlee Laufer, Senior Vice President, Marketing and Communications for Newhall Land, a contributor of community support and involvement extraordinaire. This event will be held November 8, at the Hyatt Valencia.
For more information about the Zonta Club of Clarita’s activities and the full article, click here: The Magazine of Santa Clarita
On May 18, 2013, the Zonta Club of Prowers County had an entry in the Lamar Days Parade as our Advocacy project. Lamar Days is an annual event that celebrates the local community.
The club had two bright orange banners made that said “ZONTA SAYS NO”. Below that caption was printed “STOP THE VIOLENCE”. The banners were displayed on a four-wheeler being driven in the parade.
In August, the club plans to use the banners and have a table at our County Fair. They will distribute information on the “Zonta Says No” campaign
Zonta Club of Ibadan II in collaboration with Zonta Club of Ibadan organized a successful rally on 4 December 2012 in Ibadan, Oyo State on preventing and ending violence against women and girls. Professional women groups were invited to take part in the rally, including:
1. National Association of Women Journalists.
2. Nigerian Union of Journalists
3. International Federation of Women Lawyers.
4. Oyo State Officials Wives Association.
The clubs started with a press release about the rally on 29 November 2012. During the rally, club members went round major streets in Ibadan North and Ibadan North east.
All along the route, the members addressed men, women and girls on the need to end violence against women, using public address systems to explain the purpose of the rally.
Banners with the following inscriptions in English, translated into Yoruba, the local language, and a couple in French were displayed.
Major Media Houses and Newsprint media in Nigeria with representation in Oyo State carried the news on television, radio and newspapers. It was an effective and successful rally.
Join us in saying NO 