Zonta envisions a world where no woman lives in fear of violence. Through the Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women campaign, our members and allies stand together, uniting our voices to advocate for all those who have suffered gender-based violence. Zonta is needed now, more than ever, to continue its work to end violence and build a better world for women and girls.
Ute Scholz, Zonta International President
Violence against women and girls is one of the most pervasive human rights violations and a global pandemic. It knows no national or cultural barriers; it takes place at home, in the workplace and in open spaces, and affects millions of women and girls in peacetime and conflict. It includes psychological, physical and sexual violence, and harmful practices such as rape, female genital cutting, child marriage and human trafficking.
Violence against women and girls threatens countries, inhibits economic progress, and prevents women from contributing to their community and creating better lives for themselves and their families.
During the 16 Days of Activism, November 25 – December 10, all Zonta clubs and districts are encouraged to take part in the Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women campaign and to take local, national and international actions to influence the making and implementation of laws, as well as changing gender-based attitudes and behaviors to end violence against women and girls.
Days of Activism
25 NOV
International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women
1 DEC
World AIDS Day
10 DEC
Human Rights Day
Zonta Club of Santa Clarita Valley Says No to Violence Against Women During the 16 Days of Activism
Through the “Zonta Says No” campaign during the 16 Days of Activism from November 25th through December 10th, the Zonta Club of SCV raises awareness and takes action to end gender-based violence. During each of the 16 Days, we encouraged the community to follow us on social media for information and actions to take to build a better world for women and girls. We shared statistics, community partnerships, information and actions anyone can take to end violence against women.
A cornerstone of the club’s focus on ending gender-based violence is raising awareness and discussing the impact of domestic violence in our community. The SCV Red Dress Project campaign has included a display of red dresses around Santa Clarita to symbolize those individuals who have lost their lives to domestic violence in Santa Clarita. These bright red symbols are meant to remind us of the reality of domestic violence and the impact it has on our community. Displays of the SCV Red Dress Project appeared at each of the three Santa Clarita Public Libraries and the Newhall Farmer’s Market. Members of the Zonta Club of SCV were even joined by the Zonta Club of Conejo Valley President Karen Fraser at the Valencia Public Library and Civic Center location. Each location featured important conversations between Zonta members and the community including law enforcement personnel, local organizations and others.
We were especially grateful that The Assistance League of Santa Clarita highlighted the SCV Red Dress Project in their Resale Store and in their social media. The ALSC Resale Store displayed red dresses, along with information about the SCV Red Dress Project through the 16 Days of Activism. This partnership sent a strong message to the community that we stand together in saying no to violence against women!
Throughout the 16 Days of Activism, our local student clubs created new and meaningful student-led service and advocacy projects to address issues impacting youth in the community. We believe young people are critical to achieving gender equality and ending violence against women and girls around the world. We are honored to support these student clubs and their work:
Canyon High School Z Club
Golden Valley Z Club
West Ranch Z Club
College of the Canyons Golden Z Club *now forming*
With a focus on student engagement, The Zonta Club of Santa Clarita Valley, represented by Nicole Miller, Lois Bauccio, and Cherise Moore, was honored to participate in a project with Patty Robinson, Jessica Edmonds and the PLACE project team at College of the Canyons. The project was taken to a new level with the help of Jon Amador, faculty, COC Media Entertainment Arts Department, and his student interns. As part of the process, the team highlighted the work of Zonta and Rotary, as well as the leadership opportunities available for COC students who join the new chapters of Golden Z and Rotaract.
The College of the Canyons team was selected to participate in Pando Days ’22, which calls upon Southland college and university teams to conceive and prototype initiatives which implement a goal taken from the Los Angeles County Sustainability Plan. The entire series focuses on the overarching theme of community, belonging, and well-being. The College of the Canyons project stresses that you cannot have a sustainable environment without having a sense of community, belonging, and well-being, something we all strive to achieve for in the SCV. Check out the “Training the Next Generation” project here.
To further extend our reach into the community and raise awareness of gender-based violence, we displayed our Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women banner over McBean Pkwy just south of Valencia Blvd. The banner visibility helped us amplify our message for the Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women campaign and spread awareness within the community.
Even though the 16 Days of Activism are concluded for the year, the issues of gender-based violence facing women and girls remain. Share what you have learned through your experience of the 16 Days of Activism. Our community connection and partnerships help us to have a significant impact in the community. Reach out to us with community opportunities to #endGBV and #buildabetterworldforwomenandgirls.
Assistance League of Santa Clarita Stands with Zonta to Say No To Domestic Violence
We stand together! The Assistance League of Santa Clarita is proud to honor the SCV Red Dress Project of the Zonta Club of Santa Clarita Valley. The ALSC Resale Store will display red dresses, along with information about the SCV Red Dress Project through the 16 Days of Activism, November 25th-December 10th. The purpose of the SCV Red Dress Project is to raise awareness about the impact of domestic violence in our community and to increase local advocacy to eliminate violence against women. With these red dresses, we remember and honor all those in the Santa Clarita Valley that have lost their lives as the result of domestic violence. Zonta Club of Santa Clarita Valley President Nicole Miller shared, “Organizations working together on a cause increases the impact and reach of our advocacy in the community.” Zonta is thrilled to partner with the Assistance League to serve our community members. Please support Zonta and the Assistance League of Santa Clarita by visiting the Resale Store during normal shopping hours. Resale Store, 26045 Bouquet Canyon Road, Santa Clarita, CA 91350.
SHOPPING HOURS
Zonta International Statements
Zonta International is a non-governmental organization with General Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council and participatory status with the Council of Europe. Zonta is also a member of coalitions like the Coalition to End Violence Against Women and Girls Globally, the ERA Coalition and others. Through these relationships and partnerships, Zonta is able to issue its own statements and collaborate with other like-minded organizations to make joint statements and advocate for policies to promote and protect the rights of women and girls.
Examples of Past Advocacy Projects
Human Trafficking Survivor Backpack Project
Human trafficking is the fastest growing criminal enterprise in the world. Women and girls are overwhelmingly the victims of sex trafficking. Zonta International USA Caucus in connection with the United Nations is working to end human trafficking. Our club is contributing locally by working with local law enforcement to support survivors of human trafficking. This project will provide backpacks full of personal comfort items that will be distributed by law enforcement crisis responders to rescued human trafficking survivors.
SCV Domestic Violence Court Advocacy
For almost ten years, Zontians in our club have been part of an ongoing program to become Domestic Violence Court Advocates to help local victims of domestic violence in cooperation with the Child & Family Center's Domestic Violence Program. Court Advocates write Temporary Restraining Orders and assists victims with the legal process and court appearances. This advocacy program empowers local domestic violence victims by preparing the restraining order and paperwork in a comfortable non-threatening setting and helping them to be ready to present in court.
Zonta Empowers: Take Action
Round table discussions were hosted by the Zonta Club of the Santa Clarita Valley’s Advocacy Committee. The “Zonta Empowers: Take Action” series was offered several times a year and featured topics like human trafficking, intimate stalking and many others that helped our community understand topics that can be difficult to discuss. We were pleased to collaborate with many organizations locally that share our mission.