The “Zonta Says No To Violence Against Women” (aka “Zonta Says NO!”) campaign includes the 16 days of November 25 through December 10, respectively the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women Day and Human Rights Day. The focus of the campaign is on actions to raise awareness and prevent violence against women and girls.
This is the third and final article in the Zonta Says NO! campaign series.
Day 12 – December 6
Zonta is passionate about providing life-changing opportunities for women and girls through international service. By partnering with agencies of the United Nations and other non-governmental organizations, Zonta has improved women’s health, provided better economic opportunities, and prevented gender-based violence in 66 countries. Since our first service project, Zonta has contributed more than US$32.7 million to our international service projects. Between 2020 and 2022 alone, Zonta has committed $4 million to UN agencies to support projects in 16 countries.
Day 13 – December 7
Zonta International is dedicated to achieving gender equality in education and supports scholarships, fellowships, and awards for women and girls pursuing education and careers in specific, traditionally male-dominated fields. Last year, $668,000 was granted to 151 recipients.
This past year, the Frankfort and Lebanon Zonta Clubs designated funds for nine awards/scholarships. Due in part to the pandemic and the closure of schools causing a lack of applicants, just five were awarded this past Spring. Both clubs encourage residents of either of their respective counties to contact any member for information or to watch for details early in 2021.
Day 14 – December 8
Both chartered in 1956, the Zonta Clubs of Frankfort and Lebanon are just two of 1,132 clubs around the globe working to support projects in their own communities to help women and girls reach their full potential. Club members work to raise funds to support local service projects and awards/scholarships, along with international projects. Their annual Chicken Noodle Dinner & Country Store on the first Saturday in March helps the Frankfort Zonta Club with these efforts. There are three annual fundraisers conducted by the Zonta Club of Lebanon and these are: March – Ladies’ Night Out: Silent Auction & Live Purse Auction with vendors & free food; September – food booth at Lincoln’s Lebanon Civil War Reenactment; and November – poinsettia sales. Both Clubs support various local organizations in their respective communities with the funds raised from these activities and currently they are each working on the 2020-2022 District project to make blankets to be distributed to local nursing homes, daycares, youth centers, women’s shelters, or law enforcement for their needs.
Each club took steps to help address the needs of those in their community impacted by the pandemic: Frankfort made a special donation to the local Salvation Army, along with their annual support to the Domestic Violence & Intervention Prevention Program with the YWCA Greater Lafayette. And Lebanon donated over 150 health & hygiene items to Teen Challenge and the Indiana United Methodist Children’s Home, both in Lebanon, and Mountain House, a home for pregnant, homeless women in Whitestown.
Day 15 – December 9
The Frankfort and Lebanon Zonta Clubs support Z Clubs at Clinton Prairie and Lebanon high schools, respectively. Z Clubs provide opportunities for students to develop communication and leadership skills, explore career alternatives, and increase their international awareness and understanding through service. Through this program, Zontians work to bring Zonta’s mission to empower women through service and advocacy to students around the world and to stimulate new and meaningful student-led service and advocacy projects. Zonta believes young people are critical to achieving gender equality and ending violence against women and girls.
Day 16 – December 10
Today is Human Rights Day, a day to remember the day the United Nations adopted the Universal Declaration on Human Rights. And on this day, as every day, Zonta envisions a world in which women’s rights are recognized as human rights. As the first women’s service organization that partnered with the UN, Zonta celebrates the Declaration as a milestone in promoting women‘s rights as human rights.
Yes, for over 100 years Zonta’s focus and work has been on equality, justice, and human dignity for women around the world. And with our international service and education programs and the service projects and advocacy actions of local clubs like the Zonta Club of Frankfort and the Zonta Club of Lebanon, this commitment continues.
Message from Sharon Langenbeck, Zonta International President
“As the world faces the COVID-19 pandemic, instances of gender-based violence are on the rise. Now, more than ever, it is essential that we work together to end violence against women and girls. Through the Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women campaign, Zonta clubs around the world are uniting to raise their voices to bring awareness to this issue and advocate on behalf of gender-based violence survivors.”
To learn more about Zonta International visit zonta.org