Campaign aims to stop violence against women

 

Julia Wade

Decorated in brilliant orange, one of Mangawhai’s significant trees and an old, wire farming fence are playing their part in an annual worldwide crusade, which aims to spotlight the impact and devastation of family violence.

Around the globe, members of women’s advocacy organisation Zonta, are participating in the ‘Zonta Says No Campaign’ which officially runs from November 25 to December 10. 

As part of Zonta Club of Mangawhai’s local movement, the Villages large oak outside the Library Hall has received the characteristic ‘knit-bomb’, and with what possibly could be an original Mangawhai first, the Molesworth causeway fence is pegged with a long line of spray-painted orange footwear. 

Zonta member and spokesperson, Sue Poynter say the shoes are to demonstrate how everyone is affected by family violence. 

“The line of orange jandals, boots and sandals represent those who have been victims of domestic violence, mostly women and children, but there are also men’s shoes there too,” she says. “New Zealand's statistics are not to be proud of.”

Besides family violence, this year Zonta’s campaign is also focusing on child marriage, one of ‘the worst obstacles girls are facing globally and a severe human right’s violation’. 

“We have a special international focus on ending child marriage, which is more of an issue in African and Asian countries, but not unknown here in NZ,” Poynter says. “The statistics are horrendous - the global number of child brides, that is girls who have been married under the age of 18, is estimated at 650 million.”

Launched in 2012, the Zonta campaign raises awareness of the plight of women and girls rights violations, which the organisation describe as ‘a worldwide pandemic’. Zonta clubs are encouraged to conduct ‘impacting advocacy actions’ to help influence laws as well as help change gender-based attitudes, gender inequality and to put a stop to violence towards women.

Interested in being a part of this dynamic organisation and making a difference or want to know more? Go to Zonta Club of Mangawhai on Facebook or visit Zonta International District 16, zonta.org.nz