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:
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!
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.
This year in Switzerland, the 16 Days of Activism is focused on raising awareness about the violence experienced by women with disabilities.
Zonta Club of Liestal, Switzerland, members set up an orange information tent to engage the public and inform the community on the spiral of violence.
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.
Throughout Days 7 to 10 of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, the Zonta Club of Isabela, Philippines, carried out a series of legal, educational and international advocacy initiatives, strengthening its mission to protect women and children from violence in both physical and digital spaces.
Day 7: Digital Safety and Cybercrime Awareness in Mallig
On 1 December, the club held a legal symposium in Mallig focused on the growing threat of online violence against women and children. Zontian and legal expert Attorney Cheryl Canapi-Malana led an in-depth lecture on cybercrime laws, including online harassment and libel, digital sexual violence and safe internet practices for minors.
The program highlighted how existing laws can be used to prosecute perpetrators of digital abuse. Club members thanked Mayor Jose Philip “JP” Calderon and local officials for their support, noting that community legal knowledge is a crucial defense against gender-based violence.
Day 8: Global Advocacy Through the ARTA Caravan in Tokyo
On 2 December, the club extended its #ZontaSaysNO campaign internationally as Zontians Attorney Jenny Flor Manantan-Cabaddu, Attorney Karla Louise Agbayani and Attorney Analou Villeza, also members of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines Isabela Chapter, provided free legal services at the Philippine ARTA Caravan in Yoyogi Park, Tokyo.
The ARTA Caravan brings government services to Filipinos abroad, reinforcing the connection between gender-based violence and bureaucratic barriers that can hinder survivors seeking justice. The club emphasized that both GBV and red tape are global issues requiring an efficient institutional response to ensure women can access timely support.
Day 9: Envisioning a Violence-Free Future in Roxas, Isabela
The Zonta Club of Isabela dedicated 3 December to envisioning long-term strategies for a VAW-free community. Vice Mayor Lourdes Panganiban of Angadanan delivered a lecture titled “Beyond the Horizon (Ending Violence Against Women)” to personnel of the LGU of Roxas.
The discussion covered survivor-centered recovery, community-wide prevention planning, sustainable livelihood support for women and the importance of listening to survivors as a foundation for effective governance. The club praised LGU Roxas for its commitment to future-focused anti-violence strategies as part of its ongoing 18-day VAW campaign.
Day 10: Listening to Youth Needs at Alicia Vocational School
On 4 December, the club held a comprehensive legal and health symposium at Alicia Vocational School, focusing on the protection of youth.
The Municipal Health Office addressed teenage pregnancy; Zonta Club of Isabela Vice President Judge Ramorelia Lodriguito-Caranay covered laws on online sexual exploitation (RA 11930) and safe spaces (RA 11313); and Retired Judge Lornabeth Ucol discussed privacy protection under RA 9995.
The club recognized the Municipality of Alicia for its strong cooperation and thanked Zontian Aida Pallagud Alejandro, wife of Mayor Joel Amos, for serving as host and partner in ensuring youth safety and empowerment.
Join us in saying NO 