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Thirty-five percent of women worldwide have experienced either intimate partner violence or non-partner sexual violence. As part of Zonta International’s 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence—a campaign that aims to inspire action and end violence against women and girls around the world—the Zonta Club of Oswego will be collecting donations for Oswego County Opportunities’ Services to Aid Families (SAF) program that operates the local domestic violence shelter and provides services to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and other types of abuse.
“Violence against women is not a new phenomenon, neither are its consequences to women’s physical, mental and reproductive health,” says Zonta International President Maria Jose Landeira Oestergaard. “What is new is the growing recognition that acts of violence against women are not isolated events, but rather form a pattern of behavior that violates the rights of women and girls, limits their participate on in society and damages their health and well-being.”
At the local level, Zonta clubs across the world are organizing activities and events as part of the Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women campaign, which focuses on the service and advocacy actions of Zonta clubs to prevent and end violence against women and girls in their local communities.
For the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence, which runs from 25 November-10 December, the Zonta Club of Oswego will be collecting items for SAF. Tammy Thompson, President of the Zonta Club of Oswego said, “Our local club has had a long relationship with the SAF Program and the domestic violence shelter, supporting them throughout the years with whatever they may need. Last year the shelter needed to replace all of their cribs and Zonta members donated funds to purchase 4 new cribs for the house. Several years ago we purchased a swing set. This year we are focusing on collecting personal care items such as toiletries, household items, games and DVDs and winter clothes for women and children“. Items can be dropped off at OCO’s Oswego office in Midtown Plaza. Pick up is also available by contacting Zonta member Inga Back at ingaback@yahoo.com.
Zonta is also encouraging local business and groups to take a photo of themselves wearing orange, the official color of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence, and post it to the Zonta Club of Oswego’s Facebook page. “Solidarity in the face of this epidemic will help us raise awareness and lend support to those who have experienced intimate partner violence,” Thompson said. People can also check out Zonta’s facebook page during the 16 days for daily posts related to their campaign or visit Zonta International’s website at www.zontasaysno.com.
The Zonta Club of Oswego is part of Zonta International, a global organization working to empower women worldwide through service and advocacy. With more than 30,000 members belonging to nearly 1,200 clubs in 67 countries, Zontians all over the world volunteer their time, talent and support to local and international service projects and educational programs. To learn more about Zonta, visit www.zonta.org.
