Day 15: A day of outreach and service

As part of Zonta International’s mission to advance the status of women, the Zonta Club of Isabela, Philippines, held an outreach activity at the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology in Cauayan City. The initiative launched a livelihood project focused on food processing, providing financial assistance as startup capital for incarcerated women.

This program aligns with Zonta’s global advocacy to eliminate violence against women and promote economic empowerment. It equips women in detention with skills for self-sufficiency and better opportunities post-incarceration, addressing challenges like poverty and lack of education.

Through skills training, financial support and advocacy, the project fosters rehabilitation and reintegration, offering a pathway to a brighter future. Together, the club continues to say NO to violence and YES to opportunities for women in need.

Day 16: A day of advocacy and allyship

The club concluded its 16 Days of Activism campaign in Quezon, Isabela, with a day of advocacy and allyship, focusing on eradicating violence against women and empowering the community to champion gender equality.

The event featured discussions on critical gender-based laws:

• Cybercrime Laws presented by Zontian Atty. Clarisse Favor, covering R.A. 11930 (Anti-OSAEC and CSAEM Act), R.A. 9995 (Anti-Photo and Video Voyeurism Act), and cyber libel provisions under R.A. 10175.
• Support for Victim-Survivors by Zontian Teresita Calabazaron, former head of the Women and Children Center in Isabela, focusing on sheltering and aiding survivors.

Community members, local leaders and advocates explored strategies to combat online gender-based violence and protect minors. Discussions emphasized the collective responsibility to monitor online activities and provide support to survivors.

The campaign strengthened allyship, empowering men and boys to actively support gender equality and ensuring all voices contributed to the dialogue.

Through advocacy, education, and collaboration, the Zonta Says NO campaign reinforced Zonta International’s mission to eliminate violence against women and build a world rooted in equality and dignity.

On 6 December, members of the Zonta Club of Joliet Area, USA, alongside community church leaders and staff from Guardian Angel Community Services, braved the cold to march through downtown Joliet, raising awareness and calling for an end to violence against women.

The march culminated at the site of the former Will County Courthouse, where attendees, joined by drummers, gathered for a rally. Joliet City Council members Jan Quillman and Cesar Guerrero delivered powerful speeches, urging men to become advocates against domestic violence and support efforts to eradicate it in all communities.

The event concluded with participants collectively reading the Zonta Says No Pledge, reaffirming their commitment to the cause and uniting in the fight to end violence.

Walking for Awareness
Members of Z Clubs from St. Paul’s Convent School and Hong Kong International School, alongside the Golden Z Club of the University of Hong Kong, joined Zonta Club of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, members for a walk on Victoria Peak. The event, “United We Walk – ‘Zonta Says No’ Peak Challenge,” aimed to raise awareness for the Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women, uniting participants in a powerful demonstration of solidarity.

Digital Poster Competition
In the same event, the Z Club of St. Paul’s Convent School won the digital poster competition. Their impactful poster is displayed in 14 prominent locations within the school and shared via Instagram and WhatsApp, reaching an estimated audience of 2,000 students, staff and visitors, amplifying the campaign’s message.

On 5 December, the Zonta Club of Dhaka III, Bangladesh, organized an advocacy program at Abinte Kabir Foundation, a school for underprivileged girls, to raise awareness about early child marriage and gender-based violence. The event brought together students, teachers and community leaders, including the Co-Founder of the foundation, Past Governor and Area Director of District 25, Advocacy Chair and club members.

Highlighting education as a key to combating gender-based violence, the program emphasized the critical role of awareness in eliminating early child marriage. As part of the initiative, the club also donated a sanitary napkin dispenser to improve menstrual hygiene access. This practical step aims to reduce school absenteeism, destigmatize menstruation and support girls in pursuing uninterrupted education.

By addressing these pressing issues, the club continues to foster a safer, more equitable community, empowering girls and women to thrive.