Zonta Club of Whitsundays Inc launches Orange Lady Campaign for 16 Days of Activism

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During the United Nations’ annual 16 Days of Activism against gender-based violence, the Zonta Club of Whitsundays Inc, Australia, spearheads the local campaign by placing bright orange figures, known as “Orange Ladies,” throughout the community.

The Orange Lady, a global symbol of Zonta’s Says NO to Violence Against Women campaign, represents the hope for a future free of violence against women and girls. The initiative aims to raise awareness and inspire action in the fight against gender-based violence.

Zonta Club of Harrisburg-Hersey says NO to lenient PFA consequences

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The Zonta Club of Harrisburg-Hershey, USA, part of District 3, hosted an assembly in partnership with Domestic Violence Services of Cumberland & Perry Counties on 12 November at the Pennsylvania State Capitol.

The event focused on advocating for stricter penalties, including increased costs and extended time served, for violations of Protection from Abuse (PFA) orders. Six speakers addressed the issue, sharing insights and actionable strategies to strengthen protections for survivors of domestic violence.

To view the presentations and learn more about this critical topic, visit: https://www.youtube.com/@ZontaClubofHarrisburg-Hershey.

Zonta Clubs in Bulgaria partner with ballet to raise awareness against violence

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The “The Nutcracker” premiere production by the Stara Zagora State Opera Ballet served as a stunning backdrop for the campaign Rada Says NO to Violence, spearheaded by Zonta clubs in Bulgaria. The ballet’s director, Silvia Tomova, provided powerful and heartfelt support for the initiative, which seeks to raise awareness and prevent violence against women and girls.   

The campaign centers around Rada, a symbolic orange doll made of recyclable materials. It features a QR code and the hashtag #IAmRada. The QR code provides access to resources for preventing and addressing violence, aiming to empower women to take the first step in seeking help and speaking out.   

The campaign, supported by the National Legal Aid Bureau, the Bulgarian Fund for Women and co-financed by the European Union, unites Zonta clubs across Bulgaria to create a large-scale movement advocating for women’s safety and rights.   

“I am Rada. Today, I live a new life,” reads the campaign’s inspiring message. “This story is not just mine—it is the story of every woman who has found the strength to face violence and move on. You can too!”   

Zonta Rockhampton Inc hosts Zonta Says NO breakfast 

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Zonta Rockhampton Inc, Australia, launched its 2024 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign with its second Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women breakfast, attracting over 100 attendees—more than double the attendance of the previous year.

The event featured three influential speakers addressing domestic and family violence:

  • Sherele Moody, founder of Australian Femicide Watch and the Red Heart Campaign, shared a powerful presentation featuring profiles of Australian women who lost their lives to violence.
  • Inspector Ben Wiltshire from Capricornia Queensland Police highlighted law enforcement’s critical and growing role in responding to domestic violence incidents.
  • Louise Hayes, founder of CQ Health Families, discussed her organization’s work supporting families in the Rockhampton region and promoting respectful relationships through the Love Bites school program.

Attendees praised the valuable insights shared and pledged to discuss the issues with family and friends to foster awareness and action against violence in the community.

Zonta Club of Atlántico Sur’s 16 Days of Activism

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On 25 November, the Zonta Club of Atlántico Sur, Uruguay, will begin the 16 Days of Activism campaign with an expansion of last year’s successful Orange Benches initiative across the area. The campaign, focused on the message “Say NO to violence against women and girls,” will feature regular updates on social media and the organization’s website.

As part of the campaign, the district will proudly present From Caterpillar to Butterfly, a thought-provoking play about gender violence, in the city of Pan de Azúcar. The performance aims to raise awareness and spark dialogue on the issue, with strong support and coverage from local media.

District 31 hosts musical event to promote anti-violence advocacy

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Zonta Clubs of Taipei I and Taipei II co-sponsored the joint monthly meeting Folk Song Youth Reappearance, drawing 108 participants, including members from 13 Zonta clubs across Taiwan. The event combined nostalgic music with a powerful message, advocating kindness and warmth as alternatives to violence and fear.

Through the universal language of music, the event echoed Zonta’s international anti-violence initiative, emphasizing respect, equality and harmony. Campus folk songs—a cultural form rich in humanistic spirit—were used to convey the concept of “replacing violence with love and fear with hope.”

This unique event brought participants back to days of innocence through music and reinforced Zonta’s core mission of empowering women and promoting world peace. It showcased how cultural expressions can inspire change and strengthen the call for a violence-free society.

District 31 celebrates Zonta’s 105th birthday with wellness run 

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On 8-9 November, Zonta District 31 marked the organization’s 105th anniversary with a wellness run aimed at promoting Zonta Says NO and advocating for gender equality. 

The event, supported by core members and a partnership with a Taiwanese pharmaceutical company, attracted over 4,000 participants, symbolizing a commitment to both health and social responsibility. Participants from across Taiwan, including clubs in Kaohsiung, Taichung, Tainan, Taipei, Taoyuan, Hualien and Penghu, joined the run, showcasing Zonta’s spirit of unity and inclusivity. 

A key event initiative was the Every Member Every November fundraising campaign, which raised US$33,180. The celebration emphasized Zonta’s mission to empower women and girls, inspiring positive change to build a better world for all. 

Zonta e-Club of Matera hosts Shades of Narcissism

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The Zonta e-Club of Matera, Italy, is set to host an event titled Shades of Narcissism, aiming to shed light on the hidden forms of violence that often go unnoticed. The event will encourage deep reflection on these covert issues while promoting prevention and healing for this widespread social concern.

The program will feature psychologists, field experts and journalists who will share insights and strategies to address the impact of narcissism in relationships and society.

District 31 Zontians celebrate Zonta 105 birthday by saying NO to gender-based violence

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On 8 November, Zontians from District 31, Mongolia and Taiwan, celebrated Zonta’s 105 birthday in a chartered yacht ride while advocating gender equality and saying NO to violence against women and girls.

Forty Zontians from seven clubs, including four past District 31 governors, joined the ride in Kaohsiung Harbor, southern Taiwan. The event was sponsored by Jastina Chen, a Zonta Club of Kaohsiung Yu-Hsiuan member, who was district secretary from 2018 to 2020. Past governor May Wen from the Zonta Club of Kaohsiung Yu-Hsiuan and several other club members helped organize the celebration.

During the one-and-a-half-hour harbor tour, senior Zontians also shared their experiences in serving Zonta while urging younger ones to contribute innovative ideas in recruiting new members and spreading Zonta spirit.

The Zontians from different parts of Taiwan also took the opportunity to visit the historic site of the British Consulate at Takow, a complex built in 1865, to learn the culture and architectural style more than a century ago in Kaohsiung.

Zonta Club of Cebu I hosts workshop on child abuse and online sexual exploitation

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In response to the alarming rise in cases of child abuse and online sexual exploitation (OSEC), the Zonta Club of Cebu I, Philippines, held a vital workshop titled “How to Spot and Deal with Child Abuse and OSEC” on 16, 18 and 21 October. This workshop brought together 120 participants, including school guidance counselors, teachers, student leaders and selected members of the UV Golden Z Club from Cebu City, Lapu-Lapu City and Talisay City.

Acknowledging the critical role that education professionals play in identifying and supporting victims, the workshop emphasized the importance of school-based interventions in addressing violence against women and children, as well as gender-based violence. Marilou Gallarde, RSW, President of the Philippine Association of Social Workers, Inc. (PASWI) Cebu Chapter, facilitated the sessions, offering essential insights into the complex nature of these issues and practical strategies for intervention.

This initiative was part of the club’s Women Empowerment (WE) Hub Project and received funding support from WRAAP. The workshop not only provided attendees with valuable knowledge but also reinforced the commitment of Cebu’s community sectors to combat abuse and promote safer, more supportive environments for children.