The Zonta Club of Geneva, USA, is joining with the Finger Lakes Times from Nov. 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, until Dec. 10, Human Rights Day, to send out messages about this important issue.
On each day of this 16-day campaign the FLT will publish snippets of facts about eliminating gender-based violence, child marriage, women’s inequality, and human trafficking.
https://www.fltimes.com/news/geneva/zonta-club-of-geneva-says-no-to-violence-against-women/article_82d5278f-3d87-5390-87b5-7ebd7e440a8f.html
Zonta Club of Melbourne’s East Inc shares a poem by a member to bring awareness to domestic violence during the 16 Days of Activism
The Zonta Club of Melbourne’s East Inc recorded their newest member, Dr. Veena Barsiwal, reciting a poem she wrote, “Buried Deep.”
The club shared the video on their Facebook and Instagram pages during the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence with the caption, “This poem, by Dr Veena Barsiwal, is very moving and cuts to the core of domestic violence in our community. It can affect women from all corners of the globe, rich or poor, single, married, healthy, mentally well, LBGTQ+ . PLEASE share this poem to raise awareness of Domestic Violence during 16 Days of Activism from 25 November to 10 December. For more information about Zonta and who we are and how you can join us locally, visit www.Zontamelbourneseast.org.au.”
Zonta Club of Hiidenvesi steps up its awareness activities for Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women
The Zonta Club of Hiidenvesi, Finland, launched a stronger campaign than ever in their small town of Vihti, raising awareness through multiple channels.
Upon entering the town, there is a Zonta says NO to Violence Against Women billboard by the access route. If you take a walk in the center, you cannot miss one of several window displays.
The club also organized an event with the theme “Hope, no violence.” The keynote speaker was an MP who told of her touching childhood experiences with the violent marriage of her parents.
Presenters from the local church and social services gave a good overview of what kind of help is available for those who have a violent relationship. The feelings of hope were further reinforced by the music of local artists.
Additionally, the club engaged 14 prominent supporters from their community—some with a strong local presence like the chief officer municipal manager or the vicar—and some who are nationally well-known. They all stepped up to support the campaign and gave the club permission to use their photo in its campaign communications. These photos have been used in window displays, the local newspaper and in big social media communities reaching approximately 50% of the population.
Past District 12 governors to Say NO to Violence Against Women
On 2 December, several District 12 past governors and other Zontians gathered to raise awareness for gender-based violence. Many other events were held in District 12 clubs.
Zonta Club of Cebu II hosts a workshop for female officers on gender-responsive delivery of services to violence survivors
On 28 November, the Zonta Club of Cebu II, Philippines, held a seminar/workshop that focused on blaming the perpetrator of gender-based violence instead of the survivor, establishing a referral network, and collective efforts to stop the violence.
Female police officers assigned to the Women and Children Protection Unit (WCPU) of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in different cities and municipalities of Region 7 participated in the workshop, titled “Strengthening PNP WCPU through Gender-Responsive Delivery of Service to VAWC Survivors.”
The workshop was conducted by attorney Myles Gonzales-Esquivel, executive director of Miriam College Child Rights Advocacy Center and legal consultant of Child Protection Unit-Philippine General Hospital. She is also a member of the Philippine Commission on Women.
The goal of the workshop was to equip service providers and front-line workers with techniques to provide gender-responsive delivery of services. Gender-responsive service providers practice continuum care, respect, informed consent, non-judgmental attitude and gender-fair language.
People should not engage in victim-blaming, a devaluing act that occurs when the victim or victims of a crime or an accident is held responsible, in whole or in part, for the crimes that have been committed against them, Gonzales-Esquivel emphasized.
“It is important to keep in mind that a person who has been affected by gender-based violence is never responsible for the perpetrator’s action. The responsibility and the accountability should be given to the perpetrator of violence and not to the victim-survivor,” she said.
Gender-based violence (GBV) and violence against women and children (VAWC) persist because of inadequate economic resources, which creates patterns of violence and poverty among women and LGBT+ people. When unemployment and poverty affect men, this can also cause them to assert their masculinity through violence.
According to Gonzales-Esquivel, GBV is an issue involving patriarchy and relations of power and is based on a feeling of male superiority and dominance, with an intention to relegate the female to a subordinate role at home, at school and at work, in the community or in society as a whole.
During the workshop, participants were divided into groups to identify areas for improvement, and corresponding recommendations on how to ensure gender-responsive and socially-inclusive services to GBV and VAWC survivors. Since resources are limited, those who work with VAW survivors must set up a referral network involving other agencies for a more coordinated and cost-effective response to violence.
Zonta Club of St. Cloud turns its community orange for 16 Days of Activism
Zonta Club of Dhaka IV spreads awareness of gender-based violence with multiple events during the 16 Days of Activism
On 28 November, the Zonta Club of Dhaka IV, Bangladesh, hosted an interactive activity with underprivileged young girls and their mothers and the teachers of Jaago Foundation Banani School.
On 2 December, the club joined the other three Dhaka Zonta clubs for a rally, which included Z club students. Participants wore orange T-shirts in support of the Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women campaign.
On 3 December, the Zonta Club of Dhaka IV hosted a program with that touched on thought-provoking issues raised by the young, insightful guest speakers.
Zonta Club of Birmingham offers a message of hope on its Zonta Says NO billboard
For the past several years, the Zonta Club of Birmingham has sponsored a billboard at the intersection of I-65N at Oxmoor Road in Homewood, Alabama, USA. The message aligns with Zonta International’s Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women campaign the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence.
The billboard gives a prominent hotline number for domestic violence victims to call for help: 1-800-799-SAFE.
Zonta Club of Colombo III partners with local women for a mural representing their dedication to ending violence against women
Slave Island, located within the city of Colombo, Sri Lanka, is one of the busiest commercial areas in the city, with a large number of households crammed in between commercial enterprises. The area comprises a unique multi-ethnic, multi-cultural community, who are hard workers and survivors in the big city.
The Zonta Club of Colombo III partnered with these unique ladies to create a wall mural depicting and relating to the uniqueness and resilience of the women in this special community and to inspire them to stand up to violence against women.
The Zonta club celebrated these ladies by making it a day of fun, learning and empowerment with events flowing into each other, a song and dance session, and a simultaneous workshop educating them on the rights of women in standing up to violence against women, conducted by eminent lawyers and police officers of the Women and Children’s Bureau of the Sri Lanka Police.
After the completion of the mural, all Zontians and the ladies of the community put their palm prints on the wall depicting themselves as part of the mural and as a sign of their contribution and commitment to stand up to violence against women.
The palm prints of the local ladies as part of the mural in the locality will continue to be a source of inspiration and a constant reminder of their collective effort to raise awareness within their community with their own participation.
District 8 Zontians turn bridge orange and spread awareness in Portland
On 28 November, members of clubs throughout District 8 gathered in Portland, Oregon, USA, to light the Morrison Bridge orange and bring awareness to Zonta and the 16 Days of Activism.
Along with bringing awareness of gender-based domestic violence to the people at the bridge, the local news interviewed District 8 Governor Deb Lal, which was aired later that night.
Join us in saying NO 