Zonta Says No!

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ZONTA SAYS NO TO VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN 2020

In the wake of recent tragic deaths apparently resulting from domestic violence, the Zonta  Club of Birmingham announces its annual Zonta Says No to Violence Against Women campaign. 

A billboard (at the I-65/Oxmoor Drive 35209 intersection) from November 14, 2020 through January 2021 will publicize that women can get help by calling 1-800-799-SAFE.

This year the need for funding is greater than ever.  Domestic violence shelters in the Birmingham area are challenged trying to provide a safe place to those abused while also protecting against the Coronovirus.  Domestic violence is prevalent — affecting one in three women.

Lauren Thompson, director of domestic violence services at the YWCA Central Alabama, said facilities are pushed to the limit.  Housing is full because clients who desperately need to get out of a situation have to be isolated from Coronovirus and cannot share a room with someone who might be contagious.  Hotels are filling the void.

Zonta Club of Birmingham has been a long-time supporter of the YWCA of Central Alabama Domestic Violence Service. The club also participates in  Santas Workshop, through which the YWCA gives domestic violence victims in shelters the opportunity to provide holiday gifts for their children.

Contributions toward the Zonta Club’s efforts to fight domestic violence and help victims can be made at WWW.ZONTABIRMINGHAM.ORG/DONATE

Since 1923, Zonta International has provided more than $40.9 million to empower women and expand their access to education, health care, economic opportunities and safe living conditions.  Zonta’s nearly 1,200 clubs support local and regional initiatives in 63 countries worldwide.

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At Least 1 in 3 Women and Girls Will Experience Violence!

Violence against women and girls is one of the most pervasive human rights violations and is a global epidemic. 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, such as rape, domestic violence, 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.

Each year, the Zonta Club of Birmingham participates in the Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women campaign to raise awareness of the global pandemic of violence against women and gender inequality. We also provide support for the YWCA of Central Alabama Domestic Violence Service, which provides shelter, legal advocacy, and a crisis line for domestic violence victims.

Zonta Club of Birmingham was chartered in 1940 by women at the top of their professions in our community who supported Zonta International’s goals. Today, Birmingham Zontians still share their time, talents, skills, and energy with local and international service and advocacy projects designed to advance the status of women.

Zonta International is a leading global organization of professionals empowering women worldwide through service and advocacy. Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, there are more than 29,000 members in 1,200+ clubs in 63 countries. Zonta International designs and implements service projects in various countries to benefit the legal, political, economic, educational, health, and professional status of women around the world.

All Zonta clubs and districts are encouraged to take advocacy actions throughout the year:

• To end violence against women and girls.

• To promote the human rights of women.

• To promote the achievement of gender equality and empowerment of all women and girls.

The United Nations has designated November 25th as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and December 10th as Human Rights Day. Zonta International has chosen November 25th through December 10th as its 16 Days of Activism, where 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.

Zonta envisions a world where women’s rights are recognized as human rights and every woman is able to achieve her full potential. In such a world, women have access to all resources and are represented in decision-making positions on an equal basis with men.

In such a world, no woman lives in fear of violence!