Olean Mayor Bill Aiello issued a special proclamation for Zonta Club declaring “No to Domestic Violence” at this past week’s Common Council meeting. The proclamation states that Zonta “envisions a world where no woman lives in fear of violence” and in an effort to build a better world for women it advocates for those who have suffered gender-based violence through its local clubs. From left are Marcia Nandillon, the mayor, Diane Balaban and Greatchen Coppola. The Zonta Club has encircled trees on North Union Street and Lincoln Park with orange ribbons to honor the victims of domestic violence and to raise awareness to this cause.
The Zonta Club of Verden is once again taking part in numerous activities to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and Girls on November 25th.
In order to send a common signal with the network against violence against women, the Zonta Club of Verden organized an “Orange Walk” for the second time, during which, items such as orange scarves or fairy lights are worn.
The “Orange Walk” began on Friday, November 24th, 2023 at 4:30 p.m. at the corner of Herrlichkeit and Große Str. and ended at Lugenstein with participation in a vigil organized by ver.di and the DGB. This year there was also a femicide in Verden.
The traditional charity film screening took place at Cine City on Saturday, November 25th, 2023 at 3 p.m. We showed the film “The Conductor”. As in 2022, various signals were set in orange. Zonta says NO banners are hung at numerous public institutions, police stations, schools, churches, law firms, shops and museums in the district. Wooden chairs or benches were painted in orange with a note on emergency numbers, shop windows and interiors were decorated with orange colored shoes on orange colored blankets and informational material.
They took part in the actions and showed the orange signals during the UN’s “16 days of Activism,” which ends on December 10, International Human Rights Day.
For the 11th Annual Zonta Says NO to Violence campaign, the Christchurch 3 clubs and the Waimakairi Club formed a hard working committee.
The annual inaugural event opened by the Zonta Club Christchurch South, was a wonderful success. It was held in our post earthquake Art Gallery. The guest speakers were diverse and had compelling messages in line with the importance of the key message.
At the end of the evening, our District 16 Governor threw the switch that lite the whole building orange. One of our successes is a large electronic 24/7 sign on the corner of an arterial route around the city. This will be supported by the “Orange mystery tour” on the 6th December.
The clubs will combine for “orange mocktails” and orange cupcakes to then tour the “Orange lights”. As previously highlighted, the Dragon Boating features the orange theme and the Say NO to violence message. Their tremendous efforts are happily offset by a lot of laughs and shared hospitality at the end of each rigorous training session.
The importance of the message for all age groups has been well supported by a number of libraries with displays right at the entry. in other words, you can’t miss the message! Under the new initiative of Governor Phillippa Jacobs-Lory, the Chair has linked with and supported the South Island Clubs for the first time. Next year we look forward to strengthening these links and seeking a stronger message during these 16 days of activism.
Zonta Club of Port Lincoln hosted a dinner last Saturday on day one of the United Nation Women’s 16 Days of Activism against gender-based violence.
A three-course meal was enjoyed by guests who added an orange flair to their attire for the night, in honour of the United Nations’ chosen colour to raise awareness and take action to end violence against women and girls.
Yarredi Services organised the guest speaker for the night, Rabia Aftab of Zahra Services.
Zonta Club of Port Lincoln president Kaaren Coleman introduced the evening with a poignant reminder of Bishop Desmond Tutu’s observation.
“There comes a point where we need to stop just pulling people out of the river, we need to go upstream and find out why they’re falling in,” she recited.
Ms Aftab was joined by Zahra chief executive officer Kelly-Ann Tansley for support and spoke about her move to Australia from Pakistan.
At the time she was in a marriage experiencing domestic violence.
Ms Aftab said her experience leaving her marriage in a new country that did not recognise her Pakistani university qualifications meant she faced many challenges, especially with South Australian systems as she tried to establish her independence.
Ms Tansley reminded the audience that in the past week, it was alleged four women in South Australia had died due to domestic and family violence.
She urged residents to back a call to parliament for a Royal Commission into family violence.
A letter template can be found at zahrafoundation.org.au/advocacy – this letter, along with resident’s full name and full address can be emailed to the Premier if they wish to support the call.
The evening had a range of representatives from different service providers present, including Family Violence Legal Service Aboriginal Corporation, West Coast Youth and Community Services and Yarredi Services.
The Port Lincoln foreshore lights will be lit in orange for the full 16 days, as organised by Zonta.
Residents can keep an eye out for the ‘orange ladies’ – timber cutouts painted orange that will be scattered around town for the 16 days.
Orange finger buns will also be available at the Beach Bakery for a limited time.
The hashtags to raise awareness for the cause are #generationequality #spreadtheword and #orangetheworld.
The 16 Days of Activism ends on Sunday, December 10 – Human Rights Day.
For the 2023 Zonta Says NO Campaign, Zonta Club of Montevideo has chosen this year to run a campaign on the networks, placing an allusive poster every day to raise awareness and make visible the importance of ending violence against women and girls.
The campaign started November 25 and will continue until December 10.
Residents would have noticed a splash of colour around Lake Macquarie at the moment.
But, behind the vibrant façade, is a strong message the Zonta Club of Hunter Newcastle hopes will attract plenty of attention.
Members recently set up a very interesting yarn bombing display at the Rotunda, in Warners Bay, to acknowledge 16 Days of Activism from 25 November to 10 December.
It also ties in with the organisation’s biggest annual advocacy campaign Zonta Says No to Violence Against Women.
Lake Macquarie City mayor Kay Fraser was on hand to officially kick-start the initiative, which included a “Spirit of the Lagoon” dance from Belmont High School students and several guest speakers.
“Council and Zonta worked closely for several months to achieve the striking tree wrapping,” she said.
“However, it’s all about gaining the community’s attention to the plight of domestic violence (DV).
“It is powerful yet sad to need to have such an event.”
Zonta vice-president Jill Maclachlan admitted the exhibit had already drawn much interest throughout the community. “This is a first for the club,” she said.
“Members have been knitting and crocheting strips of yarn for some time.
“The exhibition’s a wonderful way to expose the tragic topic of domestic violence to locals and visitors alike. “Many trees are decorated with orange flowers or hearts.
“Mainly because that colour symbolises a bright and optimistic future free from violence against women and girls. “If only it were that easy.
“The display also creates great visibility for our club in the region as well as promoting the work of Zonta.
“We have a mask exhibit at the Belmont and Charlestown libraries, too, for the 16 Days of Activism.
“They represent the range of emotions women experience during DV.”
JANESVILLE – The Zonta Club of Janesville is participating in an international campaign, 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, to inspire action and end violence against women and girls.
The Zonta’s “I say NO to Gender-Based Violence” awareness campaign began Saturday, Nov. 25 and will continue until Sunday, Dec. 10.
In honor of the campaign, the pedestrian bridge at ARISE Town Square was lit orange from Nov. 25 to Nov. 30.
There’s also a silhouette outside of the Janesville Woman’s Club featuring messages about Gender-Based Violence.
“Violence has no place in our community. It needs to be eradicated,” Zonta Club president Cathy Myers said in a release. “We’re hoping to drive home that point through these activities.”
Club members will also engage in a social media campaign about the prevalence and impact of gender-based violence.
“Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women” is championed by Zonta Clubs worldwide. The Zonta Club of Santa Clarita Valley joins the annual awareness and educational campaign which takes place during the United Nations 16 days of Activism from Nov. 25 through Dec. 10.
In 2016, the Zonta Club of Santa Clarita Valley, in collaboration with the Domestic Violence Center, City of Santa Clarita and the local Sheriff’s Department, formed Zonta’s “SCV Red Dress Project” to raise awareness of domestic violence within the community by displaying red dresses and a red vest that represent individuals who have lost their lives through domestic violence. The display symbolizes the reality of domestic violence and the impact it has in our community. Standing together with Zonta and highlighting the SCV Red Dress Project campaign is the Assistance League Resale store located at 26045 Bouquet Canyon Road, Santa Clarita. From Nov. 25 – Dec. 10, customers will see red dresses hanging throughout the store and informational brochures will be available at the registers.
“Having meaningful conversations with community members, and forging partnerships with other local organizations raises awareness about the impact of domestic violence in our community,” said Nicole Miller, Zonta Club of SCV president. “With the club’s focus on ending gender-based violence, these connections send a strong message to the community that we stand together in saying no to violence against women!”
Globally, Zonta International’s ongoing efforts to end violence against women and girls are carried out through the Zonta’s International Service Program and Zonta’s partnerships with the United Nations. Zonta International established the “Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women” campaign in Nov. 2012.
Currently, thirty-five percent of women worldwide have experienced either physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence or non-partner sexual violence. “Zonta envisions a world where no woman lives in fear of violence. Through the ‘Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women’ campaign, our members and allies stand together, uniting our voices to advocate for all those who have suffered gender-based violence,” said Ute Scholz, Zonta International president. “Zonta is needed now, more than ever, to continue its work to end violence and build a better world for women and girls.” To learn more about the worldwide campaign, please visit www.zontasaysno.com.
Zonta International (www.zonta.org) is a leading global organization of individuals working together to build a better world for women and girls. More than 27,000 members in 62 countries work together to make gender equality a worldwide reality for women and girls.
To learn more about Zonta Club of Santa Clarita Valley, go to www.scvzonta.org.
Dozens of people took part in a demonstration at the Parry Street Bridge in Chatham to show support for women who have been the victims of violence, Nov 25, 2021. (Photo by Kirk Dickinson/99.1 News) Source: CKXS
A pair of local groups have partnered to stand in solidarity and raise awareness about the violence and abuse women face around the world.
The Chatham-Kent Coordinating Committee to End Violence Against Women will be holding a flag-raising ceremony at the Civic Centre in Chatham on Wednesday at 11:45 a.m. to recognize November as Woman Abuse Prevention Month.
“We’re hoping that people understand that [violence against women] is not some sort of new or recent phenomenon,” said Karen Hunter, executive director of the Chatham-Kent Women’s Center and co-chair of the committee. “It’s time to start talking about it. It’s time to start recognizing that this is a really serious issue in our community as well.”
Following the flag raising at 12:15 p.m., committee members will join the Zonta Club of Chatham-Kent for the “Say No on the Bridge” rally on the Third Street Bridge. The aim of the demonstration is to inspire action against violence against women.
“Many times women are being attacked, sexually assaulted or brutalized in their own homes. We want people to recognize that this type of violence against women, against girls, against children, should not be tolerated anywhere, it has no place in our society,” said Hunter. “All of us have that responsibility to do something about it and we all need to take a stand and say that this needs to end.”
The rally is open to the public and those who attend are encouraged to bring signs with the slogan “Zonta Says No to Violence against Women” or any slogan that encompasses the idea.
Attendees will also have the opportunity to engage in open discussions, learn about support resources, and actively participate in the movement to end violence against women.
Gabbi Winters at Port Lincoln Gourmet Box Co with one of the visiting orange ladies, which are raising awareness for the elimination of violence against women and girls. PHOTO: CHARLOTTE MARTIN 376400_01 Source: Port Lincoln Times
International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women was marked on Saturday, November 25.
Orange is the United Nations’ chosen colour to raise awareness and take action to end violence against women and girls.
The Zonta Club of Port Lincoln has scattered orange timber cut outs dubbed the “orange ladies” around the city to help raise awareness over the 16 days of activism, to help eliminate domestic violence.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics Personal Safety Survey for 2021-22 found one in four women and one in 14 men had experienced violence from an intimate partner since the age of 15.
The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare said there was a wide range of definitions currently used for concepts relating to family, domestic and sexual violence, with no single definition in Australia.
The term encompasses a wide range of behaviours and harms that can occur in both family and non-family settings.
For people that may be at risk, South Australian Police has the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme, which provides an avenue to get information about a partner or former partner, to help make decisions about safety and the future of a relationship.
A request for information can be made by either the person who is feeling unsafe in their relationship or a person concerned about the welfare of someone they know.
The scheme is an early intervention and prevention initiative, not an emergency response service – Phone Triple Zero (000) in an emergency or 131 444 for non-urgent police assistance.
Women or children experiencing domestic violence in Port Lincoln and surrounds can access Yarredi Services, an organisation that aims to support and empower clients in these positions. Chief executive officer Mishelle Di Pinto said Yarredi Services provided a 24-hour crisis response for women and children experiencing domestic and or family violence that require emergency assistance.
“Early intervention and prevention strategies can include applying to the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme or reaching out to a service for specialist support to prepare to safely leave a DV situation,” she said.
“In the last week four women have allegedly lost their lives to domestic violence, if you require support or assistance please reach out to your local service.”
Visit yarredi.org.au or phone 8683 0311.
Family Violence Legal Service Aboriginal Corporation has an office in Port Lincoln and principal legal officer Julie Detchon said the organisation provided legal and non-legal services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who are victim/survivors of family violence and/or sexual assault in South Australia.
“We also assist non-indigenous people who have Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in their care,” she said.
“Our service is free and confidential, and is delivered in a culturally safe and trauma informed way.
“We run early intervention and community legal education programs across the region to help people understand more about issues relating to family violence and their options to get help.
She said the next event – and the last one for the year – is a Sista2Sista day on Wednesday, November 29 in Whyalla for First Nations’ women on Eyre Peninsula.
“People can get in contact with us by using the form on our website – fvlsac.org.au – by phone or coming to our office at 89 Liverpool Street, Port Lincoln.”
1800RESPECT is a service that supports everyone impacted by domestic, family and sexual violence, including men. They can provide options to access specialist trauma counselling or other support services for men and boys dealing with violence. To access that service phone 1800 737 732.
Join us in saying NO 