Zonta Club of Burbank Area rallies community to end gender-based violence in all its form

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Along with painting their city orange for the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, the Zonta Club of Burbank Area, USA, engaged in various activities to raise awareness and encourage action to end gender-based violence in all its forms.

The campaign began with a Proclamation from the City of Burbank, presented by Mayor Jess Talamantes. Then the lights at City Hall, Burbank Water and Power and Nickelodeon were turned orange in a brilliant display of government and corporate support.

Zontian Marva Murphy set up a presentation at the Central Library expressing the story of Zonta’s advocacy to end gender violence. Girl Scouts painted orange cut-outs of women and placed them in area businesses promoting Zonta and the campaign. Club President Kelli Potts led club members with a table display at the Burbank Farmer’s Market, and the campaign wrapped up with a self-defense workshop for the public at Inspire Martial Arts and Fitness.

“The Zonta Club of Burbank is thankful and grateful for the support it has received from the City of Burbank and its agencies to bring attention to the campaign to end violence against women,” said Lieutenant Governor Gloria Salas.

Zonta Club of Cincinnatti kicks off Zonta Says NO through various club actions

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For this year’s Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women campaign, the Zonta Club of Cincinnati, USA, partnered with Women Helping Women (WHW), the local YMCA and the Cincinnati and Hamilton County Public Libraries (CHPL) in planning various activities.

Kickoff

On 25 November, the club kicked off the Zonta Says NO campaign at the Cincinnati Contemporary Arts Center, where Club President Melinda Hepfner was the emcee. In attendance was the city’s Vice Mayor, Jan-Michele Kearney and Denise Driehaus, the Hamiton County Commissioner and founder of the Hamiton County Commission on Women and Girls.

Later in the evening, many iconic buildings in the city, such as Bengal’s Paycor Stadium, the courthouses and the Duke Energy Convention Center, were illuminated in orange. 

Bookmarking the event

The club partnered with seven public libraries to distribute Zonta Says NO bookmarks with the hotline numbers for WHW and the YMCA of Greater Cincinnati. With the staff, club members will host speakers from WHW and the YMCA starting on 1 January 2023.

The club hopes that with their united voice speaking out against gender-based violence, they will become louder in bringing awareness to the issue and building a better world for women and girls.

Zonta Club of Cleveland promotes women’s reproductive rights for the 16 Days of Activism

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On 30 November, the Zonta Club of Cleveland, USA, along with several other community organizations, partnered with the City Club of Cleveland to bring social justice forum entitled “The Changing Landscape of Reproductive Rights.”

After the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization completely altered the legal landscape for access to abortion, the future of legal protections for abortion has become increasingly uncertain.

The forum featured Fatima Goss Graves, the president and CEO of the National Women’s Law Center, and Helen Forbes Fields, the president and CEO of YWCA of Greater Cleveland, to discuss this evolving issue and the legal strategies developed and deployed to address growing concerns.

“One in four women in this country have access to abortion care, and we shouldn’t pretend like that is not a fact. I trust them to make the decisions they need to make for themselves and their families,” said Fatima.

Click here to watch a video or podcast on the forum.

Zonta Club of Fredericksburg brings awareness of violence against women to their town

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To bring awareness of violence against women to their town, the Zonta Club of Fredericksburg, USA, placed a Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women banner on their Main Street in the heart of the downtown shopping area. During the holidays, tens of thousands of visitor flock to the site.

The club also made a huge Zonta Says NO display on the grounds of the Old Pioneer Library. The display includes a QR code that took audiences to the club’s website explaining the 16 Days of Activism.

Zonta Club of Dhaka III holds successful 16 Days of Activism campaign

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During the 16 Days of Activism, the Zonta Club of Dhaka III, Bangladesh, participated in various programs to say NO to violence against women and children. This year, the club strived to help underprivileged children, empower women in remote areas who lost their homes and help rape victims rehabilitate themselves.

Realizing the importance of sanitation and hygiene, the club built four toilets for those living in remote and underprivileged areas and distributed blankets and Zonta t-shirts. They also taught the children the importance of education, avoiding early marriage and menstrual health.

On 10 December, the club met with Zontians Marion Bethel and Pamela Morgan to talk about the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), which Bangladesh ratified in 1984, being one of 189 countries to have done so.

Zonta Club of Makati Central Business shines the spotlight on abuse and violence faced by overseas Filipino workers

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To spotlight the abuse and violence overseas Filipino workers (OFW) face, Zonta Club of Makati Central Business, the Philippines, hosted a holiday party for the OFWs. More than 50 women attended.

According to the country’s data, most Filipinos working abroad are women and single mothers. With a dream to have the best education for her children and to secure the family’s future, the mother will strive to work overseas. Around the world, Filipinos are considered to be the best nannies, caregivers, nurses and teachers. OFWs are the unsung heroes of their country.

The club prepared simple meals and gifts for the OFWs. Former Philippine Senator Nikki Coseteng gave a brief talk about the status of women. The event was made possible through the generosity and kindness of the club’s charter President Lita Lee, Past President Lina Bagsic, Zontian Yves Mendoza, Zontian Melinda Go, and Zontian. Roda Tanco.

The holiday event allowed the club to introduce the organization and Zonta’s advocacy to a broader audience.

Zonta Club of Oil City-Franklin lights Center Street Bridge in orange

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The Zonta Clu of Oil City-Franklin, USA, kicked off their Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women club action at the Center Street Bridge, where they lit the bridge in orange.

Zontians in District 17, Area 5, rally together for Solidarity Walk

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Through the initiative of the Zonta Club of Makati and Environs, the Philippines, Zonta clubs across District 17, Area 5, came together for a Solidarity Walk to culminate the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign on 10 December. More than 300 women, girls and men gathered together and stood as one to say NO to violence against women and girls.

The club invited 25-year-old Katya Lichauco as the Solidary Walk’s guest speaker. Katya is the editor of Big Deal: An Anthology of Filipino Women’s Stories and Art and co-author and managing editor of Fearless Filipinas II. She is currently a Content and Social Media Associate at Kindred Health, the first hybrid women’s clinic in the Philippines. In her simplicity and honesty, Katya inspired the audience.

District 32 holds Build a Better World for Women and Girls walkathon in Seoul

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To kick off the 16 Days of Activism against gender-based violence, District 32, the Republic of Korea (South Korea), held a Build a Better World for Women and Girls Walkathon on 26 November.

District Governor Unna Huh organized the walkathon; Zontians and gender advocates met at Seoul Forest Gunma Statue wearing orange t-shirts to promote a meaning of solidarity that transcends gender and generations.

“Let’s work together to create a better world by utilizing Zonta’s spirit of dedication and passion for service. This event is the beginning of a small volunteer service for neighbors suffering from violence, poverty and disease in celebration of the Week for the Eradication of Violence against Women,” said Unna. “We stand against all violence against people.”

The walkathon was held simultaneously across the country, including Seoul Forest in Seoul, Haeundae in Busan, Daejeon Museum of Art, Suseongmot Lake in Daegu, and Jangdo in Yeosu.

Throughout the rest of the 16 Days of Activism, the district held a “Zonta for Women” program during South Korea’s special week on sexual violence for women living as victims of poverty, sexism, violence and defenseless girls from vulnerable groups around the world.

Zonta Club of Central Tuguegarao Says NO on the 16 Days of Activism

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The Zonta Club of Central Tuguegarao, Philippines, planned an activity for each day of the 16 Days of Activism against gender-based violence.

Day 1

The club kicked off the 16 Days of Activism by releasing a special episode about ending violence against women and girls in their “All About Eve” podcast.

Day 2

The club conducted the Zonta Info Caravan in a local neighborhood to capacitate barangay officials in preventing and responding to gender-based violence through a series of lectures on laws focused on women’s rights, redress of violence against women and girls and human trafficking. 

Day 3

The club put up orange-themed tarps and social media profiles and expressed their stag against gender-based violence on social media.

Day 4

Partnering with the Department of Trade and Industry and the University of Cagayan Valley School of Business Administration and Governance, the club conducted a seminar on consumer patron and anti-violence against women and children and the Consumers Act. The seminar aimed to spread awareness of consumer rights and the salient provisions of the law in the Philippines against gender-based violence.

Day 5

In honor of the women and girls who died due to gender-based violence, the club released a video montage of members wearing red dresses as a part of the Red Dress Campaign.

Day 6

In collaboration with the Tuguegarao City Cagayan Dental Chapter and Rotary Club of Tuguegarao Rainbow, the club brought “Kalinga Kay Juana” to the Tuguegarao City District Jail’s female dormitory. The activity aims to raise mental health awareness and oral hygiene among 20 participating female inmates. At the end of the talks, two female detainees had one-on-one counseling sessions, and the club passed out hygiene kits for all inmates.

Day 7

On Giving Tuesday, the club donated US$3,600 to the Zonta Foundation for Women and attended the Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women Online Summit.

Day 8

As a Day of Advocacy, the club created a video featuring local leaders, such as Mayor Maila Ting Que, to show their support against gender-based violence.

Day 9

Through its Fundraising Committee, the club partnered with the Young Moms Empowerment Program to cook delicious chicken longganisa. The program is an-ongoing livelihood program to help young mothers with their financial needs.

Day 10

The club released an article about the pervasiveness of gender-based violence, which you can find here: https://www.facebook.com/zccentraltuguegarao/posts/pfbid0hPjH4Bs4t2aAYHbpKZmaTo86ot9TVBgSAC5yyZHf66X8keNiBXLVbSD54Wujs7Kml .

Day 11

Standing in unity and paying tribute to all survivors of gender-based violence, the club invited strong women who bravely share their stories of pain, survival and healing. 

Day 12

The club conducted a seminar on cyber violence with the Cagayan State University’s College of Business Entrepreneurship and Accountancy Golden Z Club and the school’s student council. Zontian Maria Milagros “Mitoy” Cayosa lectured the students about cyber violence, its impact on the victims and how to address and reduce cyber violence. 

During the open forum, students share their experiences, both personally and as a bystander. 

Day 13

As a day of outreach, the club reached out to their local legislators to regard gender-based violence as a social problem and to urge them to pass and improve anti-violence against women ordinances. They also collected letters from their Z and Golden Z clubs and delivered them to their local representatives.

Day 14

The club launched its 2022-2023 “Search for the Most Violence Against Women (VAW) -Responsive Barangay” program in Tuguegarao City. About 29 Barangays will be participating in the year-long event to shed light on issues concerning the approach to VAW and make the city move towards a 100% VAW-responsive community.

Past Area Director Mila Catabay Lauigan also proposed a women’s shelter for the area. Zontian Maria Milagros Cayosa gave an update on the establishment of a permanent gender and development center.

Day 15

As the Day of Service, the club donated birthing kits to multiple birthing centers and clinics in the area.

Many birthing centers have good facilities, and the donated kits ensure a clean and safe experience for low-income expecting mothers. The kits include underpads, receiving blankets, sterile gloves, maternity pads, sterile gauze pads, sterile scalpel blades, biodegradable plastic bags, bar soaps, umbilical cord clamps, alcohol pads, bulb syringes and diapers. 

Through this project, the club promotes the well-being of newborns and the equally important health of marginalized women who enter motherhood, for they will take on a great responsibility as they hold their babies for the first time.

Day 16

On the last day, the club gathered with the Z Club of Cagayan National High School and members of the soon-to-be-established Golden Z Club of Cayan State University – College of Engineering and Architecture to visit the Zonta Forest and Garden. 

Everyone planted 576 Narra wildlings have a higher survival rate as they are being transplanted from the wild and into more conducive parts of the forest. 

This event is one of the many tree-planting activities in the 5-hectare area under the club’s care in partnership with the Metropolitan Tuguegarao Water District. To date, more than 2,000 trees have been planted.