ZONTA SAYS NO TO VIOLENCE CAMPAIGN GAINS TRACTION

During the 16 Days of Activism against Violence, Zonta clubs have been very active in creating different types of messages to raise awareness and encourage action to prevent gendered violence.

Thanks to a very persistent member, Ann Selle from Botany Bay Club, NSW Parliament House was lit up in orange, the colour of hope on 25th November. This is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.

The palm trees at Circular Quay were colourfully wrapped in yarn, with messages related to the different types of domestic violence, and urging bystanders to Speak Up and Make a Difference.

Bernardine Guy, District 24 Governor met with several politicians at the Circular Quay site, including Jodie Harrison, MP, NSW Minister for Women and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault. When meeting with Mark Speakman, Leader of the NSW Opposition, Bernardine thanked him for his his work on making Coercive control & Consent legislation a reality. They also discussed the crisis of Domestic & Family violence as well as how to bring men to the discussions and being a voice for the ‘missing majority’, the victims who have fled violence and are now living in poverty in the community. Zonta is a voice for these victims. 71 women have died so far this year.

Social media posts across NSW and the ACT by Zonta clubs have added much needed noise to the Zonta Says No campaign.