As Day 2 of its 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, the Zonta Club of Annapolis, USA, text messaged U.S. President Joe Biden to use his power to direct publication of the ERA:

Dear President Biden

Please use your power to direct publication of the ERA now before January. Thank you.

High above Schaffhausen, the Munot fortress lit up in orange on 25 and 26 November 25 to symbolize ending violence against women. The Zonta Club of Schaffhausen, Switzerland, is participating in two events in the varied program that will be held during the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence: A city tour on the topic “Ways out of violence” and a movie matinee.

The city tour takes interested participants to institutions that end violence and help victims: Police, public prosecutor’s office, court and child and adult protection authorities. The experts discuss their work at each location and show how women can be helped.

Two films dealing with different types of violence will be shown at the film event. One is about violence in romantic relationships, and the other is about structural violence in dealing with illegitimate children in Switzerland between the 1960s and 1980s.

The Zonta Club of Ilocos Norte, Philippines, spearheaded a city-wide walk to end violence against women and children with the local government. Ten non-government women’s organizations and the women employees of the local government, with the city vice mayor, joined the club on 25 November to kick off the 16 Days of Activism.  

The walk started at the Centennial Arena and ended at Aurora Park with a morning Zumba. Then, the club passed out awards for “Best Slogans/Poster” on violence against women and girls. Everyone wore orange shirts for unity, walking to spread awareness of the campaign to stop gender-based violence.

Day 1: ENVISIONING

The club spent three days distributing Zonta Says NO tarpaulins to all the Local Government Units (LGUs) to prepare the whole province of Ilocos Norte in a united campaign for the 16 days of Activism.

The club also distributed the tarpaulins to 21 towns and two cities, the Ilocos Norte Provincial Capitol and the Zonta Building in Laoag City, including hotline numbers of local police and social welfare offices.  

Zontian Mary Ang sponsored the printing of the tarps while the members were grouped into three teams that were deployed to the southern, northern, and eastern towns of Ilocos Norte for distribution.

Mayors, their staff and Police Personnel gladly accepted these tarpaulins.

DAY 2 – KNOWLEDGE

On Day 2, the club spread knowledge and data on gender-based violence in their community. Data gathered from the Philippine National Police Provincial Office of Ilocos Norte shows that the crime statistics for Violence Against Women (VAW) in Ilocos Norte for 2024 dwindled to less than half as compared to the numbers in 2023.

As a staunch advocate of anti-violence against women and girls, the club has continuously visited all 21 municipalities and two cities of Ilocos Norte, promoting gender equality and challenging attitudes that normalize violence and abuse. They do this by raising public and political awareness of the causes of VAWC and encouraging action on prevention.

The club’s advocacy and campaign work focuses on mainstreaming gender equality, specifically with pupils and students and in the media. They also work directly with key sectors, other women’s organizations and local government units to develop women’s skills, capacity and understanding regarding the prevention of VAWC.

The club firmly believes that they have played a significant role in reducing the incidence of VAWC through its information dissemination campaigns and support for women in conflict situations. However, the club recognizes that its work is not finished. They will continue striving for a better world for women and girls, focusing on advocacy and taking concrete actions.

The Zonta clubs of Sables d’Olonne and La Roche-sur-Yon Now-Forming, France, raised awareness about violence against women as part of the Orange Your City campaign during the 16 Days of Activism. It also served as a platform to launch the city’s Ici, demandez Angela initiative, designed to create safe spaces where individuals can discreetly seek help if they feel unsafe or harassed.  

Key figures such as the Prefect of the Vendée and representatives from the Town Hall were also present, showing their continued support for Zonta International’s mission and, of course, the presence of many residents of La Roche-sur-Yon.

The Ici, demandez Angela initiative is a public safety campaign launched in La Roche-sur-Yon. It involves training staff in participating establishments, such as bars, shops, and restaurants, to assist anyone who feels unsafe. By asking for “Angela,” individuals can discreetly seek help, with the staff providing a safe space or contacting authorities if necessary. Establishments display a sticker to indicate their involvement in the program.  

The event successfully brought attention to the issue of violence against women and reinforced the city’s commitment to safety and equality. The initiative inspired discussions about practical solutions to harassment, potentially serving as a model for other cities in the district. It also strengthened the collaboration between Zonta clubs and local authorities, demonstrating the power of partnership in creating meaningful change.