On 25 November, Zonta International commemorates the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and kicks off the 16 Days of Activism to End Gender-Based Violence (25 November – 10 December) as part of the Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women campaign. 

Each year during the 16 Days, Zonta International encourages its clubs and members to join the Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women campaign and 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 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 bring awareness to this issue" said Zonta International President Ute Scholz. "Zonta is needed now, more than ever, to continue its work to end gender-based violence and build a better world for women and girls." 

Zonta is encouraging all clubs and supporting members to show the global community what we are doing to make these changes by sharing their story and using the hashtag #ZontaSaysNO on social media. By creating more visibility around these campaigns and actions, we will show that we are a bold force that will not stop until the world we envision is made a reality.  

As Zonta enters its twelfth campaign cycle, the facts behind gender-based violence still exist. According to a World Health Organization (WHO) report, 56% of murders of women worldwide are committed by an intimate partner or close family member. In addition, nearly 30% of women worldwide have been subjected to physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence, non-partner sexual violence, or both at least once in their life.  

Together, Zonta International can help eliminate gender-based violence and build a better world for women and girls.