Zonta International starts our 16 Days of Advocacy – Zonta Says No To Violence Against Women.

 Violence against women and girls is one of the most widespread, persistent and devastating human rights violations in our world today and is a threat to millions of girls and women online and offline. This violence takes many forms, including physical, sexual, or psychological violence as well as economic abuse and exploitation. We are also raising awareness of elder abuse at this time. The 16 Days between November 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and December 10, Human Rights Day, are known as the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence Campaign, a time to galvanize action to end violence against women and girls around the world.

Zonta Club of Kenmore welcomed speaker Lisa Chimera at their meeting on November 2 as a kickoff to this month of activism. Lisa, newly appointed Deputy Erie County Executive, spoke of the needs of Erie County women and the County’s efforts to address these needs.  November 25 to December 10 Zonta will focus on the call to eliminate violence against women.  During these 16 days watch for signs and banners in the Ken Ton area addressing the help available to women who are in abusive situations and to draw awareness to this problem. There will also be daily postings on the Zonta website (zontaclubofkenmore.org) providing insight into this local and worldwide problem of gender-based violence. On

December 3 Zonta will sponsor a pancake breakfast from 9-11:30 at the Zion United Church of Christ at 15 Koenig Circle with all proceeds to benefit survivors of domestic violence.  If you are interested in attending contact Jenny at 716-912-5777 for tickets.

 16 DAYS OF ACTIVISM

November 25 thru December 10

Day #1       16 days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence (GBV):

GBV is female violence in all forms, physical, verbal, psychological, sexual, socio-economic, domestic (or intimate relationships) as well as harassment and sexual harassment.     

Day #2       2 in 3 women have experienced physical and/or sexual violence from an intimate partner.

Day #3       Half the women murdered each year are killed by intimate partners or family members.

 Day #4      End Child Marriage – 1 in 3 girls are married before age 18

Day #5       Human trafficking/exploitation – For every 10 victims of global trafficking, 5 are adult                                   women and 2 are girls.

 Day #6      What can I do? – Educate yourself on the root causes of violence. Learn myths and                                            realities of gender violence and how our society condones it.

Day #7       What can I do? – Interrupt sexist and discriminatory language. When women are seen as                            inferior, it becomes easier to treat them with disrespect and violence.

Day #8       What can I do? – Be critical and question how media regularly uses images of violence                                  against women to sell products. Report photos and posts you see that                                                                      exploit/degrade women on social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram).

Day #9       What can I do? – Interrupt abuse. Have a plan for what to do in situations where friends                              or strangers are being abusive. If your female friend is intoxicated and being led away by                            a  guy, interrupt and help her get home safely.

Day #10     What can I do? – Stop sexual harassment (catcalling, unwanted touching) and be                                                empowered to speak up against friends and peers who do.

Day #11     What can I do? – Stop victim blaming. Don’t blame women for how they dress or judge                                 their behavior.  Violence can’t be prevented through limiting freedoms.

Day #12     What can I do? – Stop rape culture. Don’t allow people to minimize/normalize sexual                                     assault or rape through ridicule or jokes.

Day #13      What can I do? – Violence against women is violence…not bullying. The term bullying                                    masks the truth and normalizes/minimizes the violence.

Day #14      What can I do? – Violence is a choice and preventable. Don’t make excuses for                                                     friends/peers who are violent due to mental illness, anger, stress, alcohol/drug use.

Day #15       What can I do? – Be supportive and believe. When someone tells you about violence                                      they have experienced, believe her and support her decisions without judging her.                                          Familiarize yourself with women’s shelters and antiviolence organizations.

Day #16       What can I do? – Donate things to local shelters (personal items, food). Attend public                                     forums about policing, public safety, changes in law, sexual harassment/stalking.