16 Days of Advocacy
Thank you for registering for the 4th Annual Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women Summit. It was an informative and inspiring event, with three incredible speakers and reflections from some amazing young people. Please find recordings of all three sessions below.
The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence was initiated in 1991 by the Women’s Global Leadership Institute at Rutgers University. Activists around the world recognize it as a time to raise awareness in their communities and to call for the elimination of all types of gender-based violence. The designated 16-day period begins on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on Nov. 25 and ends on Human Rights Day Dec. 10. In addition to Zonta, more than 6,000 organizations from 187 countries have participated in the campaign. Here are highlights from District 1 Clubs!
The Zonta Club of Chelsea and North Shore is pleased to share with everyone how we plan to commemorate the “16 Days of Activism.” We traditionally provide aid to the most vulnerable local women and/or the programs that serve them during the 16 Days of Activism. This year our group has chosen to aid women in a new housing unit, that has been established in our area, that provides permanent housing to women who are survivors of human trafficking, domestic violence, and long-term homelessness. These are women who often suffer from comorbid mental health and substance abuse issues, and whose overall instability has been a historical barrier to their access to more traditional national, state, and community services. Their current reported need is for toiletries as they establish permanent housing for the first time. We plan to deliver gift bags, full of toiletries for each of the 13 residents of Orchid House, one of three such new housing units. Our gift bags from Zonta International are reusable orange bags displaying the “Zonta Says No To Violence Against Women.”
Respectfully submitted on behalf of “Chelsea Zonta”
Janice Tatarka, President
Georgia Green, Chair, Advocacy Committee
Joan Lanzillo
Note from Governor Donna Raycraft: “A perfect match for the goals of 16 Days. I love that they were packed in an orange reusable Zonta bag, too. The bags not only promote Zonta, but their reusability hits the mark on the second ZI goal of reversing climate change by using sustainable products. A win all the way around.”
The Zonta Club of Halifax Nova Scotia CA
Carol Dobson, President notes: I have secured the illumination of Government House, which is also in flux as our wonderful Lieutenant Governor is ending his term and no date has been set for the change of command. We have a message into Peggy’s Cove and will be chasing Marcy the first of the week.
The Zonta Club of Quaboag Valley
Karen Keough-Huff, Vice President and Chair of Advocacy is pleased to announce a ‘first’ for the club.
This year for our Advocacy project volunteer contributors from The Writing Sisters will be submitting poems about women with the following themes: Empowerment, Survival, Resilience, Mother, and Shero’s.Each day, beginning November 25, a poem will be posted on our Zonta of Quaboag Valley web page and on Facebook. Women are increasingly impacted by gender-based violence, health care, climate change, and suffer economically throughout the world. Our hope is that our personal writings will raise awareness and inspire others to address these issues in their communities.
