The Zonta Club of Liestal, Switzerland, is displaying orange shoes—which represent women who were killed by femicide in 2022—in 11 shops during the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence.
On 26 November, the club partnered with Soroptimist Liestal to offer information at a stand and distributed emergency cards with telephone numbers for (potential) victims, as well as orange candles and tangerines.
Understanding that action needs to be taken by architects and interior designers who are responsible for creating spaces for people to live, work and socialize, the Zonta Club of Colombo III, Sri Lanka, conducted an awareness program on the various forms of violence against women for students and staff of the School of Architecture at the SLIIT University. The interactive session created awareness of the problems involved and the effective preventive measures available.
Zonta Clubs in Ibadan, Nigeria, reprised a classic advocacy initiative for its Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women campaign, with the flag-off of a month of advocacy on two major bus routes. Choosing the longest routes through the city of Ibadan, Zonta messages are carried on two buses as livery and handbills are distributed.
In the Philippines, 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women is observed from 25 November through 12 December. Each year, the Zonta Club of Cebu II takes an active role in the 18 Days.
Honoring the theme “UNiTEd for a VAW-free Philippines,” the club will engage in several service, advocacy and information-generation activities that will allow women of all ages to make progress toward reaching gender equality.
Because education and open access to information is key to empowerment, the Zonta Club of Cebu II opened the campaign by inaugurating a Women, Gender and Family Studies Section at both the Cebu City and Mandaue City public libraries. This section is a repository of books, pamphlets, documents and other reading materials on women’s issues, gender mainstreaming, women’s legislative agenda, and methods and strategies to achieve gender equality in the workplace and the community. It is a vital resource center for women who seek to know more about their rights and the opportunities available to them.
“Saying no to violence against women is everybody’s business” is the strong over-arching message that Zonta Club of Cebu II is sending as it commemorates the worldwide global campaign to end gender-based violence. The club seeks to engage all sectors to unite and collaborate to actively fight against any or all forms of violence, discrimination and gender-based abuses and crimes.
In her welcome address, attorney Mae Elaine Bathan, Tourism Undersecretary and President of Zonta Club of Cebu II, stressed the importance of continued efforts to spread awareness of the rights of women and children. Atty. Bathan said. “The victims of these crimes, forms of discrimination and abuses do not have to fight their battles alone. “We are here to empower them. We are here to give them the necessary skills and knowledge. We are here to provide them the avenue by which they can be able to protect their rights and learn to stand up for themselves and say no to any and all forms of abuses,” she stressed.
On 25 November the campaign was launched with calls to action from three vigilant advocates. Ms. Emmeline Versoza, former executive director of the Philippine Commission on Women reported on the status of Filipino Women in the areas of economic participation and opportunity, educational attainment, health and survival, political empowerment and the prevalence of violence against their persons. She stressed that
Ms. Annabelle Maglasang, coordinator, the University of the Philippines Cebu Gender and Development office, talked about Psycho-social Support to Persons who encountered Gender Based violence.
Attorney May Aguilar, the founding partner of Cavad and Aguilar Law firm, discussed the topic “Issues and Challenges That A Woman Face In VAWC: Strategies in Place for Action. She stressed that the only thing eviler than violence itself is our apathy.
The webinar ended with the Zontians taking oaths of commitment to continue their advocacy to campaign against gender-based violence.
The Zonta Club of London, England, kicked off the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence with members donning orange to raise awareness.
The club is again partnering with Savera UK. Savera UK held a “5k to end Honour Based Abuse” event in Liverpool to mark Day 1, with Zonta members participating in the event.
The Zonta Club of London has a comprehensive social media campaign planned to raise awareness about the 16 Days and share what individuals can do to end violence and abuse against women and girls.
The Zonta Club of Ploiesti, Romania, aims to promote human rights, decrease instances of domestic violence, and increase the values of equality, tolerance, integrity and honesty with its “I Have My Right” contest.
High school students are invited to submit a 300- to 700-word essay on the topic of any human or child right. The essays are presented online and the participants received diplomas.
“Through this project, in which knowledge and dissemination of human and child rights is pursued, a better society is created,
without violence,” the club said. “And in this way, the Zonta Club of Ploiesti says NO to violence.
The Zonta Club of Alytus, Lithuania, worked with the Alytus Women’s Crisis Center for its “You Are Not Alone” project, which brings awareness to violence against women and girls. The club aims to raise awareness, reduce indifference and eliminate the perception that violent relationships can be justified.
Two lectures were presented—one in person and one online—”Awareness of Domestic Violence: The Dynamics of the Circle of Violence” and “The Path of Help for Those Who Have Experienced Violence.” The lectures were delivered by a psychologist and a lawyer from the Alytus Women’s Crisis Centre.
After the lectures, people met outside the Alytus City Theatre and formed a procession to the Alytus Women’s Crisis Center, where there was an orange door symbolizing opening a door if you need help.
The Zonta Club of Schaffhausen, Switzerland, joined Soroptimist Schaffhausen to host a memorial and solidarity procession on 24 November. The action was musically framed atmospherically with the choir “salto cordale.”
The event also included an installation of shoes, which symbolized the number of femicides committed in Switzerland in 2022.
For the annual 16 Days of Activism and Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women campaigns, the Zonta Club of Kauai, USA, brought awareness to Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG), including Native Hawaiians. The Red Dress Exhibit will be featured at the Kauai Society of Artists gallery at Kukui Grove Center from 25 November to 10 December for public viewing.
The public will learn more about #MMIWG at a special one-day event on 29 November, at Kukui Grove Center, which will include speakers, resources from YWCA and the American Association of University Women who are also partners of the club during the 16 Days of Activism.
Read the story by Dennis Fujimoto in this link: https://www.thegardenisland.com/2022/11/18/hawaii-news/zonta-red-dress-campaign-to-bring-attention-to-indigenous-females/?fbclid=IwAR1J53gYubS465lCvh-BrMG5LfaTlCQfEoc-Mkp5jD_LgCNRKHyg8zVYAVU
The Zonta Club of Cheyenne, USA, presented a What Were You Wearing sexual assault survivor exhibit at Laramie County Community College from 7 to 11 November.
This impactful display asked viewers to understand that sexual assault is never about clothing. One intent of the exhibit was to release survivors from the burden of self-blame. It also challenged those who viewed the display to reflect on why the myth of connecting clothing and sexual assault continues to exist. The stories used in the exhibit were donated by survivors of sexual assault and were used with their consent. Viewers were asked to see themselves reflected in not only the outfits but also in the stories.
This realization moves one away from blaming the victim for violence and places the responsibility where it belongs, on those who caused the harm. The exhibit was offered in cooperation with Laramie County Community College.
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