Dear Zontians and Friends of Zonta,

On 6 November 2009, UNIFEM launched Say NO – UNiTE to End Violence Against Women, a global advocacy initiative to stimulate, count and showcase actions on ending violence against women around the world. Zonta International was one of 80 organizations worldwide to join UNIFEM as a launch partner.
 

Zonta International, our clubs and our members have already found numerous ways to support efforts to prevent violence against women around the globe. To maximize Zonta’s participation in the Say NO – UNiTE to End Violence Against Women initiative and to raise awareness of our efforts at the global and local level, we need the participation of all our districts and clubs.

First, please take a minute to sign the global call to end violence against women by clicking on the Say NO banner below. If you have already added your name to the global call, please sign it again to support Zonta’s participation in this new initiative. Encourage your club members to do the same, and assist members with adding their names to the global call at your next club meeting.

(http://www.saynotoviolence.org/join-say-no/zonta-international-unites-say-no-violence-against-women)
 

After you have added your name to the global call, notify headquarters of any actions taken (as of 6 November 2009) by your district or club to help prevent violence against women. Actions can include, but are not limited to, participating in a walk to raise awareness of domestic violence, volunteering or supporting a local women’s shelter, organizing community workshops or observing the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence in your local community. Please send your submissions, including the name of your district or club, a description of the action and the number of participants, to advocacy@zonta.org.
 

The goal of the Say NO initiative is to collectively reach 100,000 actions by March 2010 and 1 million actions in one year. Submit your actions, and help us raise awareness of Zonta International’s efforts to prevent violence against women around the world!
 

Thank you for your participation and support.
 

Beryl Sten
President Zonta International