Zonta Club of Warwick Inc Says NO during the 16 Days of Activism

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During the 16 Days of Activism, the Zonta Club of Warwick Inc, Australia, promoted gender-based violence awareness by placing large orange ladies in 15 businesses in Warwick and one in Killarney. The businesses included banks, the council library, recreation centers, churches and retail facilities. These orange ladies were stocked with brochures that provided information on domestic violence support, Safe Haven Domestic Violence (DV) cards and flyers for Protea Place, a women’s support center. In addition, small orange ladies were distributed to cafes, hairdressers, chemists and retail facilities, which primarily served as business card holders containing Safe Haven DV cards.

The local community responded positively to the ladies, with many customers showing interest in them. This initiative allowed the club to raise awareness of gender violence and promote Zonta’s actions. Their Facebook page featured two daily posts for the 16 Days: one contained information directed by District 22, and the other included photos of club members linked to various businesses’ Facebook pages. The club received a lot of feedback from these posts, highlighting the usefulness of social media as a tool for advocacy.

The Southern Downs Regional Council supported the club by illuminating the clock on Warwick Town Hall in orange and sharing its information on their website and the two Facebook posts about the event.

The club attended events in Toowoomba, such as the stand-up roadside vigil and the flag ceremony. They received a warm welcome from club members from both Zonta clubs in Toowoomba, which helped spread the word that their club is active in our campaign against gender-based violence.

Zonta Club of Tuguegarao cares about violence against women and girls

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As part of its 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign, the Zonta Club of Tuguegarao, Philippines, partnered with the Philippine National Police Lal-lo Station and the Z-clubs of Lal-lo National High School and LGU Lal-lo to conduct a Violence Against Women and Girls symposium at four high schools: LNHS Cabayabasan Annex, Logac National High School, Magapit National High School and Lal-lo National High School.

The club wishes to thank these schools for their cooperation and warm welcome to the group. The club will continue to conduct symposiums after the campaign because they want to reach more students, including non-government organizations (NGOs) and women’s groups like the Lal-lo Rural Improvements Clubs Federation Inc.

“It is indeed a happy heart for the club to witness the community’s participation in helping mitigate violence against women and girls,” said Club President Olive Pascual.

“The Municipality of Lal-lo will always be here supporting the beautiful endeavors of the Zonta Club of Tuguegarao as we help to do advocacy actions to combat violence in any form continuously,” added Mayor Florante “Anteng” Pascual.

Alhyra Joy Fortozo, president of the Z Club of LNHS, also said, “This is a great platform to empower women and girls as we aim to move towards a world free of violence and fear.”

Zonta Club of Albury-Wodonga Inc unites to end violence against women

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The Zonta Club of Albury-Wodonga Inc, Australia, partnered with local police family violence units to bring awareness, assistance and advocacy to their communities.

The club placed 16 1-meter-tall wooden orange ladies, who made their presence felt by making a colorful contribution and a QR code connection to helpful emergency numbers. They launched the 16 Days of Activism by holding a movie night to assist in funds for their gender-based violence project, and on 26 November, they supplied sausages and onions to the police, who were the cooks for a crowd of around 150 people over the allotted time.

The club’s goals were to:

  • Stage an impactful 16 Days of Activism against family violence across Albury Wodonga.
  • Attract participation by more than just service providers. 
  • Increase media coverage.
  • Build awareness of the seriousness and prevalence of violence in our community and what we can do about it.
  • Provide men and women with an opportunity to take away new knowledge that will benefit their personal lives, their communities and organizations.
  • Enable women to access information on existing services, resources and assistance.

The club attracted good media coverage through radio, newspaper and television, and other services joined them to complete the activity with a Walk Against Violence. They repeated this in a rural town and learned that the useful little survival packs they supplied to the police for distribution to women on that first escape night should also include men.

In rural areas, the local police find it safer and better to remove the perpetrator from the family home because resources for one are more attainable than perhaps a mother and her children. So, the club promptly supplied packs that included a small towel, a shaver and aftershave lotion.

Not only did the club’s activities build a better world for women and girls, but they also attracted a new member.

Zonta Club of Sydney Wests summarizes 2023 16 Days of Activism activities

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The Zonta Club of Sydney West Inc, Australia, addressed each of the 16 Days of Activism during the 2023 Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women campaign on Facebook. Each social media post was a statement relevant to the campaigns. 

Read further ahead for some of the club’s statement posts.

Day Three:

“LORNA and the Zonta Club of Sydney West Inc. embrace day three of the 16 Days of Activism.

The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is a global campaign which runs every year from 25 November to 10 December. Communities around the world join the call to prevent and eliminate violence against women and girls.

You can TAKE ACTION TODAY! TALK to People!

  • Many of our friends and colleagues are NOT AWARE of the frightening statistics of Violence against Women in Australia;
  • 1 in 7 women and 1 in 25 men have been injured by an intimate partner;
  • On average, one woman a week is killed by an intimate partner;
  • Unfortunately, we can find many more statistics to discuss from reliable sources. 

Look them up! Tell the stories! Follow us for the 16 days – we can make a difference!

Send us your ideas!”

Day 14:

“KIMBERLY and the Zonta Club of Sydney West embrace day 14 of 16 Days of Activism.

Are we sure that we have eliminated these violent acts across Australia, or do they linger here, too?

‘Women cannot deny their male partner sex.’

In intimate relationships, women’s choices over their bodies are dominated and controlled by their male partners and the belief that women’s bodies should always be available to men. These norms contribute to intimate partner rape and other forms of abuse, the most common form of violence against women and girls. Tunisia.

‘Sexual harassment is normal’.

Dominant patterns around male sexual entitlement over women’s bodies contribute to sexual harassment and other forms of sexual violence. In Colombia, a young woman stated,” I believe that everything arises from the fact that men see us as sexual objects and as the persons they need to fulfill their sexual needs.

In Latin America, research revealed that 75% of young people state their male friends believe harassment is normal.

‘Each year on this planet, 15 million girls are married before the age of 18.’ Most of these girls are deprived of their fundamental human rights to health, education, safety, and bodily integrity. (Acknowledgement to Oxfam.)”

Day 16:

“RUBY and the Zonta Club of Sydney West embrace day 16 of 16 Days of Activism.

                                            ‘A CONVERSATION’

Zonta International is a leading global organization of individuals working together to build a better world for women and girls.

                             That sounds fantastic! What a MISSION!

Zonta International envisions a world in which women’s rights are recognized as human rights and every woman is able to achieve her full potential.

                               ‘Such an exciting vision for the future!’

In such a world, women have access to all resources and are represented in decision-making positions on an equal basis with men. In such a world, no woman lives in fear of violence.

                            ‘I would love to take some action, but how do I help?’

Stand with women and girls worldwide! Join us at the Zonta Club of Sydney West or your nearest club. It’s easy – and friendly!”

Zonta Club of Pocatello revamps the 16 Days in 16 ways

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Over the last five years, the Zonta Club of Pocatello, USA, has been on a dedicated mission, reaching 16 locations to provide essential period and personal hygiene items for needy women. This year, their focus shifted to broader outreach and raising awareness about the challenges faced by women in their community and beyond. They aimed to address each of the 16 ways suggested by Zonta International, delivering to nine locations and introducing innovative initiatives for the remaining seven days.

The club’s initiatives extended beyond deliveries, incorporating strategies to illuminate various issues. Collaborating with a local organization, they shared messages of hope and presented local and statewide domestic violence statistics to provoke reflection and inspire collective action. Their landscapes became canvases adorned with Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women signs, symbolizing their commitment to standing against gender-based violence.

The club disseminated information about Zonta’s international service projects and Fast Action Friday opportunities to enhance public awareness. A highlight was their unique reverse book club, where participants sought inspiration from literature focused on Zonta’s missions – combating domestic violence, addressing gender-based violence, eradicating child marriage and championing climate justice.

A significant milestone was the proclamation signing ceremony with the mayor, designating 7 December as “Zonta Says NO To Violence Against Women Day.” This official recognition underscores the club’s commitment to effecting change at higher levels of governance.

Overall, the club’s projects engaged more than 30 participants. This result demonstrates the tangible impact of their efforts and highlights the power of collective action in fostering positive change.

Zonta Club of Punta del Este-Maldonado says NO to Violence Against Women

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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.

Zonta Club of Kauai’s 16 Days of Activism

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The Zonta Club of Kauai’s, USA, 2023 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign was held on 29 November at the Kauai Society of Artists gallery at Kukui Grove Center.

Approximately 25 guests and Zonta members were present to bring awareness to the Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women campaign. The club partnered with the Kauai Society of Artists, YWMCA Kauai, AAUW Hawaii and Kukui Grove Center.

Zonta Club of Corry Area says NO during the 16 Days of Activism

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The Zonta Club of Corry Area, USA, recently observed the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence and Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women campaigns from 25 November to 10 December.

During the club’s recent car and cash raggle drawing fundraiser, they posed with a Zonta Says NO banner that hangs across a main street during the fall months to bring awareness to the cause.

Zonta Club of Tuguegarao “riZe” to say NO

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Amidst the bright hues of dawn, banners unfurled with fiery determination as advocates of violence against women, girls and children gathered. Draped in orange as a symbol of activism, the Zonta Club of Tuguegarao, Philippines, forged a formidable tapestry, a united front against the darkness of bruises and marks of maltreatment.

On the day dedicated to advocating against Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG), the club, under the leadership of Club President Maria Olivia B. Pascual, and the Local Government Unit of Lal-lo headed by Florante C. Pascual, CPA, together with the Philippine National Police Lal-lo Station, Academe and the Z-club of Lal-lo National High School united in solidarity, conducted a symposium of Saying No to Violence Against Women and girls to the students of Cabayabasan National High School, Logac National High School, Magapit National High School and Lal-lo National High School.

“Know your rights! Speak up. The local government, the Zonta Club of Tuguegarao, the Z-club of Lal-lo National High School and our PNP Lal-lo are here to help victims of violence and abuse behind closed doors.” said Olivia as she encouraged students to help eradicate the scourge of abuse which will help foster hope for a safer community for every woman and girls.

Through symposiums, seminars, and online campaigns, the club aims to echo loud voices saying NO to violence against women and girls, demanding justice and empowerment to every Juana of the society.

The club and the Z Club of Lal-lo National High School painted the town orange. They conducted a Zumba in Orange event to signify standing strong together against violence. By embracing every Zumba step, participants can undertake celebrated strength and unity and hope to raise awareness and end violence against women.

Through this movement, the club encourages everyone to help violence victims, and through feeling the rhythm, participants moved and grooved together, reflecting a kaleidoscope of courage and solidarity. Zumba in Orange is a testament to the club’s collective journey from darkness to the bright hues of empowerment and support.

Everyone danced, laughed, and reclaimed their joy, reaffirming that unity conquers all, letting the rhythm of resilience echo far and wide as they stand firm against violence against women and girls wearing the orange banner of activism.

The club extends its heartfelt appreciation to the local government unit of Lal-lo through the leadership of Mayor Florante C. Pascual and all the government agencies and local school leaders for their support in building a better world for women and girls.

Zonta e-Club of the United Kingdom marches  to say NO with Savera UK

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At the beginning of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, a few members from the Zonta e-Club of the United Kingdom joined Savera UK, a local organization, to march through the streets of Liverpool to raise awareness of violence against women. They were also joined by the Zonta Club of London.

The clubs marched with a Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women banner and handed out flyers on the way. Their story was also shared on the local news. It was an inspirational day with speakers who shared their own stories of survival.

The club raised awareness of the issue and gave others the courage to share their stories.