MAKING a pledge to say no to violence against women and girls in our community featured as Zonta launched its local 16 Days of Activism campaign.
Throughout 2024 in Australia, the increase in the number of women killed by men known to them has been devasting.
It is a critical reminder that violence against women affects all sections of our community.
The Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women campaign was launched in 2012, and during that time it has raised awareness of the global pandemic of women’s rights violations and has united Zonta clubs worldwide to fight violence against women, and gender inequity.
The 16 Days of Activism began on November 25 on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and ends on Human Rights Day on December 10.
Zonta Ipswich is encouraging individuals, organisations, and businesses to challenge the values, attitudes, behaviours, and beliefs contributing to gender-based violence.
Zonta Ipswich president Jane Reid said Zonta Ipswich was proud to be an active participant in the Zonta says No campaign.
“We are proud to partner with the Ipswich City Council and local businesses to bring awareness to this issue and help build a safer community for us all,” she said.
“This year, Ipswich businesses will be displaying posters of support; the Ipswich City Council building will once again be lit up in orange and there will be billboards prominently displayed in Tulmur Place and on the David Trumpy Bridge.”
Last Monday, Zonta Ipswich hosted a panel discussion with Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Council co-chair Bob Atkinson and representatives from the Domestic Violence Action Centre and the Women’s Legal Service to explore what’s working and what’s missing from current responses to this issue and what role community organisations can play.
“Support for change needs to be visible and voices need to be heard,” Ms Reid said.
“Zonta Ipswich has been unwavering in its commitment to creating a violence free community, by modelling, advocating, and promoting non-violence, gender equitable and respectful relations, and working alongside the Ipswich community to raise awareness and speak out against all forms of violence.
“We need to challenge the harmful attitudes which reinforce the idea that men, women, and people of all gender identities are unequal.
“In a year where it is easy to feel deflated and as though we are moving backwards both in terms of women’s rights and the elimination of violence, we must not lose sight of evidence that tells us that we can bring an end to domestic and family violence.
