The Zonta Says NO campaign is ongoing in District 20, Finland and Estonia, but the district feels that the campaign’s message is seen and heard stronger than ever.

The Advocacy Committee started the work early in the spring to support the clubs with a campaign book, social media materials, posters and handouts. In autumn, clubs were invited to join a training session to share ideas and get support in the campaign preparations. As the campaign approached, blogs were published, and a press release was launched nationally.

The district is thrilled to see the multitude of action and innovation taking place over their clubs and their media coverage has been bigger before. They believe this will be a great foundation to continue the work in the coming years.

The Zonta Club of Ilocos Norte, the Philippines, kicked off the 16 Days of Activism by distributing tarpaulins with the Zonta Says NO: End Violence Against Women Now slogan. The campaign poster also had the hotline numbers of the Philippine National Police and the Medical Social Welfare Office to allow access to help and services.

The tarpaulins showcase in strategic places throughout the 21 municipalities and two cities.

The Mariano Marcus State University-College of Teacher Education Golden Z Club and the Z Club of Ilocos Norte National High School, the Philippines, joined the Zonta Club of Ilocos Norte and the City Government of Laoag in the motorcade for the opening program of the 16 Days of Activism campaign against gender-based violence.

The club officers came in wearing orange wigs.

On 20 November, the Zonta clubs in the Gothenburg region hosted a Zonta Says NO event in Nordstan, the biggest shopping market in town. The clubs collaborated with UNWomen Gothenburg, the shelter Lex Femme and Soroptimist clubs in the area.

At the event, two victims of violence share their stories and how they came to start a blog and debate among seven political parties from Gothenburg.

In 2020, 16 members of the Zonta Club of Bad Nauheim-Friedberg, Germany, read press releases about femicide. This year, the club decided to produce a compilation of the press releases into a film.

The Zonta Club of Kauai, USA, kicked off the 16 Days of Activism by providing Malama Pu’olo Na Wahine bags, which translates to “care bundles for women ” in Hawaiian. The Déjà vu Surf Hawaii at Kukui Grove Center is the main donation drop-off bin for members and the public to donate toiletry, face lotions, body lotions, hard accessories such as brushes and combs and cosmetics for the bundle bags. 

Two non-profit agencies will give these bags to their female clients in need, Child & Family Service and Catholic Charities on Kauai, on 4 December 2021 at Kukui Grove Mall. 

For more information, read the club’s press release.

On 25 November, the Zonta Club of Redcliffe Inc, Australia, hosted a breakfast fundraising event at the Pipel restaurant observing the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. The fundraiser also serves as a kickoff to the club’s 16 Days of Activism. The proceeds will go to Small Steps 4 Hannah Foundation and ongoing club advocacy programs.

The Small Steps 4 Hannah Foundation exists to end the cycle of domestic violence so that everyone can feel respected, informed, confident to act and safe. The foundation was formed in honor of Hannah Clark and her three children Aaliyah, Lainah and Trey, murdered by their estranged husband and father, Rowan Baxter. The parents of Hannah and grandparents of Aaliyah, Lainah and Trey were guest speakers.

The fundraiser aimed to develop an awareness of coercive control and the steps local, state, and federal governments took to work together to combat domestic and family violence in their community.

The club was supported by 150 guests, including their elected government representatives and the Governor of District 22.

The Zonta Club of Kitakyushu and the Seinan Jo Gakuin University Golden Z Club, Japan, gave an online presentation on eliminating violence against women at the Eco-Life Stage. Eco-Life Stage is one of the largest local SDG events and the City of Kitakyushu organizes it.

The clubs also collected messages of female empowerment from Zontians and others around the world.

Click here to watch a recording of their presentation.

The Zonta Club of Kitakyushu and the Seinan Jo Gakuin University Z Club, Japan, lighted up Kokura Castle in orange send the message, Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women.

Kokura Castle is the symbol of Kitakyushu City.