In The Media

Women in front of Zonta Says NO to Violence Dispaly

23 November 2020

Canberra turns orange to say no to violence against women

The Zonta Club of Canberra Breakfast is staging several orange-themed events across Canberra in November and December to raise awareness of family and domestic violence.

“In Australia, 45 women and girls have died so far over the past year due to intimate partner violence,” said Zonta Club of Canberra Breakfast President Christine Magner.  “And many are suffering due to the lack of freedom of movement during COVID.”

The Zonta Says No campaign is part of the International 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence campaign.  It starts on November 25th, the UN Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, and in Canberra culminates with the ringing of the Canberra Rotary Peace Bell in Canberra’s Nara Park on International Human Rights Day (10 December).

In recognition of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, the ACT Government is lighting the Malcolm Fraser Bridge orange. In addition, all light rail stops will be lit in orange.  “Orange is not just about Zonta – it is the colour of the UN Sustainable Development Goal 5, which sets out a commitment to achieve gender equality”, said Ms Magner.

The Zonta Club of Canberra Breakfast is also installing orange themed floral exhibits in the Civic and Dickson libraries; each flower will represent the life of the women who have died this year as a result of domestic violence.  The first name of each victim, and her age, will also be displayed, except where respecting Indigenous customs.

The campaign will conclude on 10 December with a morning ceremony commencing at 6.30am at Nara Park, at which participants will strike the Canberra Rotary Peace Bell once for each woman killed in Australia in the last twelve months.

Zonta is an international service club dedicated to empowering women through service and advocacy.  The Zonta Club of Canberra Breakfast meets once a month.

For further inquiries about the Zonta Says No campaign and Zonta’s activities please contact Serina Bird on 0478 417 308.