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.
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.
The market square in Nidda shone in orange as many interested people visited the stand of the Zonta Club Nidda-Oberhessen, Germany, and the Frauennotruf Wetterau e.V., another nonprofit women’s organization in Germany. Visitors gave their support for a cross-coordination office of the federal government for the implementation of the Istanbul Convention. The visualization and attention the club received made this event successful.
The Zonta Club of Greater Dhaka has chalked out plans to celebrate 16 Days of Activism campaign from November 25 to December 10 with a goal to globally develop advocacy actions with a focus on preventing child marriage and gender-based violence against women.
During the 16 Days of Activism, the intention is to take local, national and international actions to influence the making and implementation of laws, as well as changing gender-based attitudes and behaviors to end violence against women, the club said in a press release.
Tehmina Enayet, President Elect, an entrepreneur and connoisseur of art, is a strong proponent of women’s empowerment and wholeheartedly believes in the cause of Zonta, ‘Stop Child Marriage’ and ‘Say No to Violence Against Women and Girl Child.’
Zonta Club of Greater Dhaka’s President Dr Simeen M Akhtar, and the Advocacy Chairperson Tootli Rahman and the club members have organised seven events to commemorate this occasion. These programs are focused to increase the awareness in society and for the community to take a stand ensuring all health precautions.
Dr. Simeen M Akhtar, President of Zonta Club of Greater Dhaka, believes that all Zontians working towards the Goal and Mission of Zonta International has been continuing to make a difference through its commitment of service through advocacy.
The 16 Days of Activism started off by a student rally on Sunday.
On Monday, the club will issue a press release regarding the campaign.
A radio program will be broadcast on Tuesday.
A rally has been arranged in Kurigram, with the club’s partner Ashar Alo Patshala, the students who have been stopped from child marriage will be participating in the rally.
On Friday, Zonta Club’s Flag Ship partner Sporsho’s Visually challenged students will be having a reading session, advocating for girls through the Braille Book sponsored by Zonta Club of Greater Dhaka, “Good Touch –Bad Touch.”
A rally in Baridhara with Rickshaw Pullers wearing Orange T- Shirts will be held on December 7.
Lastly, LIVE Painting Session by two eminent artists of Greater Dhaka in Gulshan Park will be held on December 9.
Tehmina Enayet said that pursuing the cause of women and girls through Zonta will give more credibility and force and help achieve the 100-year goal of Zonta through education and advocacy.
Despite the COVID pandemic affecting the people globally, Zontians all over the world continue their work and make special efforts during the 16 Days of Activism to be more focused to end discrimination against women, to stop violence against women and stop child marriage, the release added.
https://www.timesobserver.com/news/local-news/2021/11/zontas-anti-violence-campaign-gets-a-boost/
Join us in saying NO 