The Tribune

In November 2012, Zonta International launched a global “Say NO” campaign in an effort to raise awareness and help eradicate violence against women and girls. On November 25, 2013, Zonta will begin its 16 Days of Activism, highlighted by the colour orange to demonstrate Zonta’s partnership with the United Nations and its agencies.

The collective efforts will draw attention to on-going efforts to eradicate violence against women and girls around the world. The Zonta Clubs of The Bahamas will join 1200 other Zonta clubs around the world, spanning 65 countries in a united service and advocacy effort to prevent and end violence against women and girls in their local communities.

On Monday, November 25, at 10:00 am in Rawson Square, members of the two Zonta Clubs in The Bahamas, the Crisis Centre, and other non-governmental organisations will commemorate the day by wearing orange, distributing Zonta Says NO flyers, orange ribbons and wristbands. This event will be part of a global display of unity on that day, when over 30,000 other members throughout the world will also be out in force in a unified effort to raise awareness of, and increase actions to end violence against women. The Zonta Clubs of The Bahamas are asking members of the Bahamian community to support the Say NO campaign.

“As this campaign is of national significance a proclamation has been requested from the office of the Rt. Honourable Perry G. Christie, Prime Minister for the Commonwealth of The Bahamas designating November 25, 2013 as the day that the Bahamas, in partnership with Zonta Clubs of The Bahamas, the Crisis Centre and other non-governmental organisations, Says NO to violence against women and girls,” said organisers of the event.

The Zonta effort is both a local and international campaign which features the service and advocacy actions of Zonta clubs and districts around the world to prevent and end violence against women. The effort also highlights Zonta International’s ongoing efforts through the Zonta International Strategies to End Violence Against Women (ZISVAW) programme and through Zonta’s partnerships with the United Nations and its agencies.

Founded in 1919, Zonta International is a global organisation of executives and professionals working together to advance the status of women worldwide through service and advocacy. With over 30,000 members belonging to more than 1,200 Zonta Clubs in 65 countries and geographic areas, Zontians all over the world volunteer their time, talents and support to local and international service projects, as well as scholarship programs aimed at fulfilling Zonta’s mission and objectives.

The objectives of Zonta International are: To improve the legal, political, economic, educational, health and professional status of women at the global and local level through service and advocacy. To work for the advancement of understanding, goodwill and peace through a world fellowship of executives in business and the professions. To promote justice and universal respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.

To be united internationally to foster high ethical standards, to implement service programs, and to provide mutual support and fellowship for members who serve their communities, their nations, and the world.

Zonta International, its districts and its clubs are nonsectarian and nonpartisan.

More information regarding Zonta International’s global effort can be found on the Zonta Says NO website: www.zontasaysno.com.