For the last few years, Zonta clubs in Denmark have developed a free platform, https://goalfive.org, with teaching modules available for all secondary school teachers. In 2023, the platform grew with more training modules. As a culmination of the work, the clubs arrange several day events on 22 November in connection with the 16 Days of Activism.

The participants were teachers and students of all genders from nine high schools: Aalborg Cathedral School, Risskov High School, Viborg Cathedral School, Aarhus High School, Tilst -EUX, Haderslev Cathedral School, Aabenraa State School, The Blue Highschool and Stenhus Highschool. The events were held in four cities: Aalborg Aarhus, Aabenraa and Holbæk. The Zonta clubs organizing the events were Aarhus I, Aarhus II, Aalborg, Aabenraa, Holbæk  and the new coming Golden Z Aarhus.

The clubs then hosted a whole-day “Barriers to Gender Equality?” event in high schools. The event was a study day focusing on equality issues with six overall themes: gender, working life, teaching, education, sexual consent, and boundaries and equality in the home. The clubs spent a day engaging with students and teachers about their thoughts, discussions and input on all gender equality issues.

Before the events, the clubs created a film with participation from the minister for digitalization and gender equality, influencers and representatives from women’s and men’s organizations: https://youtu.be/70U-_lv6lrI.

The events were very impactful as students, the new generation, took ownership of the process, participated actively in the debates and working groups and prepared visual material with their viewpoints about how a future based on gender equality should be. And all genders contributed to the successful outcome.

The link to Zonta’s mission and vision was evident throughout the event, as all contributed very actively to define what is needed to “build a better world for women and girls.” Advocacy has a growing focus for clubs in Denmark, and although the events took place in only four cities, they plan to repeat the event in many more cities in the future.

The events have made Zonta’s work better known in Denmark and increased the recognition of Zonta as a critical player working on gender equality and a life free of violence for all women and girls. The minister’s contribution, among others, is proof of this in the video created.

The products generated by the students have been displayed not only in the high schools but also at the local libraries. Therefore, the clubs are convinced that the events held will significantly impact the local communities as the students themselves define the path forward.

The Zonta Club of Brisbane East Inc, Australia, hosted a breakfast event during the 16 Days of Activism under the banner, “Paint the Bayside Orange.” Partnering with state and local members of Parliament, the breakfast brings together businesses, government officials, domestic and family violence service representatives and local community members across the bayside area of Brisbane.

Now in its 8th year, the breakfast initiative has progressed from an awareness and education campaign to providing tools for attendees to take action in saying NO to gender-based violence. Guests heard from the program manager of Small Steps for Hannah about their respectful relationships program that will be introduced in schools across Queensland in 2024.

The breakfast also provides an ongoing forum where key partners share their work and identify opportunities to work together in building support and services for survivors of domestic violence.

In a strategy to encourage all 44 clubs across Queensland and Northern New South Wales to engage with the 2023 Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women campaign, District 22, Australia, appointed a campaign coordinator. Initially, all clubs each identified a key contact person so that they could share their ideas and identify opportunities for collaborative efforts.

A calendar of events was created and posted on the district website, providing clubs with year-round access to events and ideas. The benefits of having the calendar included:

• All clubs actively took part in the campaign, sharing more social media posts and gaining publicity.
• Public walks increased across the state with walks undertaken by the Zonta clubs of Bundaberg Inc, Redcliffe Inc, Toowoomba Inc and Northern Rivers Inc. The Zonta clubs in Townsville had a joint effort, as did the capital city walk, where Zonta clubs in Brisbane, bayside, coastal, and scenic rim joined together for an evening walk through the city. The Zonta Club of Beaudesert Inc partnered with the local police for an inaugural walk.
• Affiliations and partnerships continued to grow. For instance, the Zonta clubs of Caboolture Inc and BundabergInc partnered with many sponsors for various activities. The Zonta Club of Brisbane North collaborated with Queensland Performing Arts, Brisbane Domestic Violence Services and Vulcana Circus to showcase the stories of women survivors.

Ten Zonta clubs in Brisbane, Australia, worked together to paint the city orange and unite with community members to say NO to gender-based violence during the 16 Days of Activism. In partnership with the Brisbane City Council, state government departments and businesses, the clubs:

• Illuminated key buildings, cathedrals, sculptures, bridges and multi-story car parks across the city in orange.
• Hanged large banners at the Story Bridge, sports grounds, and shopping centers.
• Displayed masses of “Orange Ladies” with safety information for survivors of domestic and family violence in inner city parks, businesses, ferry terminals and libraries.
• Lit a box in the city square to urge people to envision a world where no woman or girl shall live in fear for her life.

The clubs and friends gathered in the city square before city hall and took to the streets to raise awareness of the Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women campaign. They wore orange shirts to match the orange buildings, sculptures and bridges. In the following week, Zontians took to social media to post statistical and general information about the campaign and domestic and family violence.

For the sixth year, the Zonta Club of Punta del Este-Maldonado takes part in the 2023 Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women campaign. With support from the Pilots and Authorities of the Naval Air Command of the Navy in their city, this year’s theme was “Real Men only raise their voices to defend Women.”

The club wanted to reinforce the message give to their community, not only with Zontians wearing orange shirts and speaking against violence, but by involving men from highly respected organizations around the city. This action is very important to change old mentalities and stereotypes, mostly in Latin American countries that do not respect women’s rights or justify violence against women.

The club’s campaign was published in all local media and was high applauded and supported by authorities and the community. They could not have done this campaign without the support and participation of men saying only Real Men raise their voices to defend women.