During the 16 Days of Activism, the Zonta Club of Eskilstuna, Sweden, decorated a Christmas tree with a Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women message that has been placed at Retuna, the town’s large and popular recycling mall. The tree will remain on display until after Christmas. Its message will be seen by nearly all visitors entering the mall.

The club successfully published an article on violence against elderly women in the local newspaper on November 25th. One of the club members was also interviewed on local radio about this issue.

The Zonta Club of Colombo I, Sri Lanka, set up a stall at a popular pre-Christmas bazaar and pop-up sale. The stall featured banners and posters addressing gender-based violence to raise awareness about the need to end violence against women and girls.

All members dressed in orange and wore orange ribbons, distributing ribbons to other stallholders and attendees at the event. The club also sold baked goods and cards to raise funds for future programs, using the slogan “Your Purchase! Her Empowerment.”

Ten members participated in the event, and they passed out 125 ribbons to attendees throughout the day in support of the issue.

The club also held a gender-based awareness program at the Ma’s factory in Minuwangoda for staff.

The resource person Saama Rajakaruna addressed issues related to”

• Enhancing the understanding of concepts related to gender and
• Explored issues related to sexual and gender-based violence and the need for appropriate action by all at home, the community and the workplace.

On 25 November, the Zonta Club of Dhaka IV, Bangladesh, kicked off the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence with great zeal and enthusiasm to say NO to violence against women and girls.

The club marched through the densely populated area of Mirpur, holding banners and placards with powerful messages. They also placed stickers urging an end to violence and raising awareness about gender-based violence on the backs of rickshaws, public toilets, public buses and other visible locations.

While the campaign will last only 16 days, the club’s unwavering commitment to this cause will inspire hope and action every day of the year.

On 25 November 25, Zonta Club of Dhaka III, Bangladesh, kicked off the 16 Days of Activism with a rally and a discussion focused on cybersecurity awareness and gender-based violence.

The rally was essential in drawing attention to the pervasive issue of gender-based violence. With a special emphasis on cybersecurity, the club highlighted modern forms of violence, such as online harassment and bullying, which mainly affect women and young girls. These efforts align with Zonta’s mission to advocate for women’s rights and eliminate violence while enhancing visibility to amplify its influence and reach.

Attendees and beneficiaries expressed, “We now have the knowledge and tools to confront online harassment.”

The club also held another event on 29 November at Insignia Resort and Hotel in Tongi, Dhaka, featuring several esteemed guests, including District 25 Governor Dr. Zareen Delawar and various district leaders from other Zonta Clubs. The primary focus of the event will be to raise awareness about gender-based violence, a critical issue in Bangladesh. The club also aims to reduce this violence through advocacy and community awareness programs, including rallies, seminars, webinars, edutainment and visual displays at key locations in Dhaka.

The event will highlight the reality-based story of “Resilience and Hope,” showcasing the struggles of women in Bangladesh facing societal barriers due to gender inequality. It emphasizes not only personal empowerment but also the future of their children.

A key part of the event will be the inspiring story of a victim of child marriage and cybercrime. The audience will be encouraged to pledge to support Tamanna with medical care, childcare, training, and rehabilitation. The motto of all participating clubs is “Leaving No One Behind.”

Tamanna was married at the age of 15 and endured brutal abuse from her alcoholic and gambling husband. She faced physical abuse from her in-laws, who were upset that her father, a day laborer, could not meet the dowry demand. After escaping her first marriage, she was unfortunately victimized a second time by a scammer whom she married, only to be abandoned three months later while pregnant. She currently feels hopeless, unable to envision a future for herself and her unborn child.

This event aspires to inspire change and empower women, showcasing their resilience and hope.

On November 28, the Zonta Club of Kankaanpää, Finland, participated in the mummification of the Kaisa statue at the Kankaanpää market. This hat-making event was initiated 27 years ago by principal and artist Liisa Juhantalo. The Zonta Club has been involved in the event for 21 years, promoting the message of the Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women campaign.

During the event, a song composed and arranged by music college instructors Eeva and Kaisa Kulhua was performed by the students of the music-oriented class.

In the evening, a parents’ meeting was held at the Kankaanpää hall, featuring Jenni Stubbe from the Sua for Sua Somessa team. Following a remote lecture, a panel discussion on digital harassment took place. The panelists included Tiia Rosnell from MLL, high school principal Mari Fabig, high school student Aliina Pirttikangas, and middle school student Liisa Keskinen. The parents’ evening was also available on the city’s YouTube channel.