Orange speaks volumes about violence

JULIA WADE

Draped in brilliant orange, one of Mangawhai’s significant trees and a local fence will be playing lead roles in an annual global crusade to highlight the impact and devastation of family violence.

Worldwide, members of women’s advocacy organisation Zonta are gearing up to participate in the international Zonta Says No Campaign – 16 days of activism to raise awareness and intensify action to end violence against women and girls, from November 25 (International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women), to December 10 (Human Rights Day).

Zonta Club of Mangawhai members are naturally taking part, decorating the fence bordering Mangawhai Golf Club with orange footwear to symbolise victims of family violence, and knit-bombing a tree at Mangawhai Tavern market. The group of dedicated women will also hold a Zonta advocacy stall so the community can find out more about the inspiring organisation‘s projects, at local, national and international levels.

The popular Zonta Orange Quiz Night is also returning to the Mangawhai Golf Club on Thursday, November 26.

Zonta member and spokesperson, Sue Poynter, says Zonta strongly believes that equal rights and a life free of violence is not just a women’s issue.

“The long line of orange shoes hanging along the golf course fence is a visual, poignant reminder to the horrendous number of victims of domestic violence,” she says. “This is a societal issue which has to be solved by women and men working together to achieve common goals.”

n Tickets for tables of eight for Zonta’s Orange Quiz Night are now available from Mangawhai Pharmacy and Bammas.

Orange on display around Mangawhai later this month will build awareness of domestic violence. PHOTO/FILE