Since 1982, the national organization GAMS (Groupement pour l’Abolition des Mutilations Sexuelles or Group Working to End Female Genital Mutilations) has worked to end female genital mutilation (FGM). The Zonta Club of Le Havre, France, has been a partner of GAMS Normandie for several years.

In connection with the GAMS’ 40 years of actions to end sexual violence against women and the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, members of GAMS and the Zonta club held a screening of the film In Search: A Journey to Womanhood followed by a debate on 25 November.

The film features Beryl, who was born in a rural village in Kenya, and thought that all women in the world had to be mutilated/cut. Consequently, she had to suffer these initiative rites. She did not imagine all the consequences of such an act. Many years later, she heard about a new kind of surgery, which was able to repair what was removed.

Through this autobiographic film, Beryl explores the emotional dilemma sparked by this possible surgery. She met and asked women who had to live the same experiences.

The movie screening was followed by a debate surrounding the surgical reconstruction and led by, among others, Dr. Fabienne Trocque, gynecologist, and Me Pascale Poulain, sex therapist—both of them Zontians and past presidents.

In honor of its 50th club anniversary, the Zonta Club of Taichung, Republic of China (Taiwan), donated a modified 9-passenger vehicle to Huei-Ming School and Home for Blind Children. The vehicle, which includes five seats and accommodates two wheelchairs, solves the school’s transportation problems from a lack of properly equipped cars. Now, the school can provide more than one route and minimize the need to detour to pick up every student.

The club later celebrate its anniversary with a ceremony. Many other Zonta clubs in the district joined in the festivities, and International President Ute sent them a congratulatory letter and video. A musical play performed by more than ten former club presidents spiced up the celebration.

After the ceremony, the club and its Z and Golden Z clubs held a parade to raise awareness on ending violence against women and children.

On 26 November, the Zonta Club of Lomé kicked off the 16 Days of Activism at Kodjoviakope Lagos Park by organizing an awareness event with park drivers. Members of the club had a lively discussion with the drivers, who asked to also arrange a session with their wives. Car stickers were distributed for commercial and private cars.

Leading up to this year’s 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, the Zonta Club of Bunbury, Australia, invited local schools to participate in the club’s “Choose Respect, Expect Respect” poster competition as a strategy to focus on respect.

Bunbury Zonta President Kerry Kerr said, “By talking about respect and exploring what respect looks like, sounds like and feels like through art, we believe that what is and is not acceptable will reinforce positive behavior and contribute to a positive change for the future,” club president Kerry Kerr said.

She added: “The Zonta Club of Bunbury is proud to support the Australian Government’s Stop it at the Start campaign, and the WA Government’s Path to safety: Western Australia’s strategy to reduce family and domestic violence 2020-2030 to help create a future free from violence for women and children.”

Of the 100 entries received, 16 finalists were invited to attend a presentation with their parents on 3 November. Deputy Mayor Tresslyn Smith was there to congratulate the students and present them with their awards.

The Zonta Club of Varkaus, Finland, applied and received 500 euros from the town council, which it used to increase visibility of the club’s Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women campaign.

The club took out a digital page in the local newspaper that includes a link to materials on how to recognize domestic violence, how to meet the survivors, and how and where to get help. This material was produced by the 2021 District 20 Advocacy Committee 2021.

During the 16 Days of Activism, the club shared the Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women logo on an LED screen in the middle of Varkaus and by one of the main roads running through the town.