As part of this global campaign, Zonta Club Dhaka IV, Bangladesh, organized an advocacy session at Hazrat Shah Ali Girls College, Mirpur.
President Naheed Shaheen addressed the students on child marriage and its harmful consequences. Young professional Zontian Uditi Lusbun, along with Past Club President Nazma Islam, spoke on cyberbullying and digital violence, encouraging students to take proactive measures for online safety.
The club reached more than 300 students and staff, inspiring them to build a safer, more conscious digital community.
The club extends a heartfelt thank you to Zontian and Principal Rana Ferdaus for hosting them.
By engaging with local seniors and promoting the Zonta Says NO To Violence Against Women campaign, the Zonta Club of Hualien, Taiwan, empowers local elders to bravely say NO to violence.
Click on the video below to learn more about the club’s initiative.
Walk Against Family Violence On 28 November, members of the Zonta Clubs of Melbourne on Yarra Inc and Melbourne West Inc, Australia, joined the Respect Victoria annual Walk Against Family Violence, marching alongside like-minded organizations and community leaders. Speakers included representatives from Indigenous communities and a Muslim woman who shared her lived experience, describing how she only recognized her situation as coercive control after receiving community support. Natalie Hutchins, Minister for Prevention of Family Violence and for Women, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to making coercive control a stand-alone criminal offense. The march saw a record turnout of men and families, signaling growing societal recognition that violence against women is unacceptable. Participants emphasized the shared goal of preventing further additions to “The Lost Petition,” a now 38-meter-long textile memorial listing women and children killed by men’s violence since 2008.
Film Screening of Shayda On 29 November, the Zonta Club of Melbourne on Yarra hosted a screening of the award-winning international film “Shayda” at the Ivanhoe Library. The 2023 film recounts the story of an Iranian woman fleeing domestic violence and seeking refuge in Queensland. During a moving Q&A, the real “Shayda,” Yaz, discussed reliving her trauma during production and the long legal battle she faced after escaping her husband. Her daughter Noora, who lived in refuge as a child and later directed the film, has traveled the world sharing its message, with women everywhere recognizing their own stories in it. Yaz emphasized the lifesaving role of accessible information for women escaping violence, recalling that discovering a small legal aid booklet years ago gave her the courage and knowledge to leave.
Supporting Young Survivors During the campaign period, the Zonta Club of Melbourne on Yarra Inc donated AU$3,000 to the Lighthouse “Freedom House,” which is for young women escaping early and forced marriage, modern slavery and domestic violence. The Freedom House offers accommodation, physical support and counselling. This money will be used to help young women get practical support.
On 15 November, the Zonta Club of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, hosted a joint Installation Ceremony for six Z clubs at True Light Girls’ College. The event brought together more than 145 participants, including Zontians, teacher advisers and Z Club members, in a celebration of leadership, service and advocacy.
Following the ceremony, attendees joined the launch of the Zonta Says No to Violence Against Women campaign through a powerful and symbolic activity. Each participant received an orange visor and an orange paper flower cut-out. On their flower, they wrote their name and added words or drawings to express their support for the campaign.
These flowers were then affixed to a large advocacy board bearing the message: “Z Clubs Say No to Violence Against Women.”
The board became a striking visual statement of solidarity, representing the unity and commitment of Z Clubs in Hong Kong to end violence against women and girls.
The Zonta Club of Bielefeld, Germany, stuck 1-meter floor stickers and 60-cm window stickers throughout our city and across the country. They cooperated with restaurants, shops, local institutions and corporations to advocate for the elimination of violence.
The club’s public displays gained radio and television coverage.
The Zonta Club of Isabela, Philippines, is committed to the 16 Days of Activism. While heavy rains delayed the installation of their Zonta Says NO banner from Day 1, their resolve never wavered. Today, the club is proud to flood the Province of Isabela with a visible message.
the club stand in resolute solidarity with Zonta International and government partners in the inspiring call to #OrangeTheWorld. Orange is the color of optimism—the bright, unwavering symbol of a future entirely free from the shadow of violence against women and girls.
This is more than a launch; it is a public commitment.
A Dual Front of Advocacy: Ilagan and Naguilian
The club is now reaching residents on two strategic fronts, making the campaign impossible to miss:
THE MONUMENTAL DECLARATION (Province of Isabela): Our massive “Zonta Says NO!” orange tarpaulin is proudly erected in a strategic heart infront of the Capitol and Provincial Safety Office. This action aligns with its mandate to protect women and children wherever they are, reinforces public awareness, and underscores the government’s commitment to safeguarding communities from gender-based violence.
THE DIGITAL REACH (Naguilian): We are thrilled to announce that the #OrangeTheWorld message is also running on the LED Display in Naguilian! This ensures our vital advocacy reaches a broader, dynamic audience across a major thoroughfare.
This is the club’s monumental declaration and rallying cry against violence.
The message is clear to every resident and traveler of the Province of Isabela: “VIOLENCE HAS NO PLACE HERE. Not in our homes. Not in our streets. Not in our province.”
The club urges every resident and traveler of the Province of Isabela: Stop. Look. Let the gravity of this message resonate every time you pass by. Let it be a reminder that silence perpetuates abuse.
JOIN THE MOVEMENT: You Are Our Ally
Violence against women and girls is a fundamental human rights violation that cripples communities and diminishes us all. While Zontians lead, every single person is needed to win this fight!
ACTIVATE YOUR VOICE (SPEAK UP): If you witness injustice or abuse, say NO. Challenge the jokes, dismantle the unequal norms, and reject any form of abusive behavior. Your silence is agreement; your voice is change.
FOLLOW OUR JOURNEY: The 16 Days are packed with action. Stay tuned to this page for essential updates on our Capitol event, educational activities, and powerful stories of resilience from survivors who inspire our work.
WEAR THE PROMISE: Show your visible support! Wear orange today and throughout the campaign (Nov 25 – Dec 10). Let our streets turn orange with hope. Join us in making Isabela not just a province, but a sanctuary—a safer, more equitable, and thriving place for all women and girls. Let’s make this orange vision a reality, one courageous act at a time.
New experiences, shared moments—thanks to Orange Stones
Library displays
Library displays
The Zonta Club of Hiidenvesi, Finland, carried out its Zonta Says NO campaign across multiple channels to raise awareness of dating violence and support safer relationships for young people.
The club held two library exhibitions that shared information about dating violence and Zonta activities and displayed related literature.
A creative highlight of the campaign was the Orange Zonta Stones initiative, where numbered orange stones were hidden around the community and used as raffle entries—an engaging way to spark curiosity and encourage participation. The campaign received strong visibility on local online platforms through regular updates and winner announcements.
On social media, the club shared practical guidance on how to recognize dating violence and how to support victims of intimate partner violence. The message also reached print media readers through an article published in a local newspaper. Their goal was to show how common violence can be even in young people’s first relationships. The club especially wanted to encourage friends, parents, and all adults to recognize the warning signs, step in when needed, and stand alongside young people as sources of support. This is a perfect time to intervene and change the course of action for future generations.
Members of the Z and Youth Club of the Zonta Clubs of Dhaka I, II, III, and IV, presented a dance drama in support of the 16 Days of Activism Against Violence Against Women. Inspired by Malala Yousafzai’s empowering words, “One child, one teacher, one book, and one pen can change the world,” the performance underscored the transformative role of education for girls. The club hopes the message and performance remind viewers that education is key to unlocking possibilities and stopping violence against women.
On 25 November, members of Zonta District 24 joined the “No More Empty Shoes” Vigil in Sydney, standing in solidarity with survivors, advocates and the families of women and children lost to domestic and family violence. In partnership with more than 30 frontline and community organisations, around 30 Zontians paid tribute to the 74 women and children who have been killed in Australia in 2025—each pair of empty shoes symbolising a life taken far too soon.
The keynote speaker, Tabitha Acret, mother of Mackenzie Anderson and representative of They Are Our Daughters, delivered a powerful and heartfelt address. She spoke of the profound loss of her daughter, whose own child was just one year old when her mother’s life was taken. Tabitha is now a courageous advocate for those left behind, calling for stronger domestic violence sentencing laws and systemic change to prevent further tragedy.
Zonta District 24 remains committed to raising awareness, supporting survivors and advocating for meaningful action to end violence against women and children.
Join us in saying NO 