16 Days of Advocacy Calendar
From Global Women’s Leadership (From Awareness to Accountability | Global 16 Days Campaign)
“2021 marks the 30th anniversary of the Global 16 Days Campaign. Inspired by the original vision and history of the Campaign, which focused on raising awareness about violence against women (VAW), and considering the continuing impunity for femicide, this year the Campaign will focus on the issue of “femicide or the gender-related killing of women.
In 2021, in addition to the anniversary theme, the Campaign will continue its program activities to end gender-based violence (GBV) in the world of work by focusing on the link between domestic violence and the world of work, drawing on legal standards outlined in ILO Convention 190 (C190) and the action put forward in Recommendation 206 (R206).”
The following are suggestions of things that you can do personally or as a club to participate in the 16 Days Campaign
November 25th
Envisioning
Download this message of intent. Write down how you or your club would like to participate in the 16 Days and post your picture to social media
November 27th
Orange
Orange action can be big or small:
Work with local government or groups to orange a building in your city
Wear orange and take a picture and post it to social media
Use the “Zonta Says No” frame on your picture on Facebook: sign into “My Zonta” and then go to this link – Public Relations Tools – Join us in saying NO (zontasaysno.com)
November 28th
Listening
Host a speaker with the topic of GBV in intimate partner relationships or in the workforce
Share one or more of these TED talks on GBV: Let’s end the silence around abuse | TED Talks
November 29th
Remembrance
Create a display in your community or virtually to remember the women in your community, province or state that have passed away in the past year due to GBV. Vigil held by ZC of Niagara Falls, ON and lighting of the Falls in Orange.
November 30th
Giving Tuesday
Attend the Zonta Says No to Violence Against Women Summit
Follow this link to the Events page to register:
December 1st
Allyship
Reach out to organizations that share similar goals to Zonta International, especially those that engage men and boys to advocate for the end of GBV.
Some suggestions for allyship include sharing the following campaigns:
HeForShe | Global Solidarity Movement for Gender Equality | HeForShe
WHITE RIBBON – Home (Canada)
WHITE RIBBON — WhiteRibbon Women Empowerment Campaign (womencampaign.org) (USA)
December 2nd
Advocacy
Ask your local government to make a proclamation about Zonta Says No to Violence Against Women. In the Toolkit, you will find samples of a proclamation letter and steps to keep in mind.
Also, look to other clubs for great information that you can share (with their permission), such as the Zonta e-club of the Phillipines1
December 3rd
Discussion
Host a reading of a novel or film viewing with a focus on Gender-based Violence followed by a discussion.
Check out these books suggested by DomesticShelters.org and these films suggested by the National Film Board.
Or, join in D4’s Book ‘n’ Beverages book club! https://zontadistrict4.org/engaging-in-zonta/books-n-beverages/
December 4th
Awareness
Bring awareness to your message for the Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women campaign. Actions can range from a quick, cost-effective chalk message on a walkway to a semi-permanent billboard campaign. Image is Zonta Club of Corry’s street banner. Check out Day 10 in the Toolkit for ideas that other clubs have done to raise awareness.
December 5th
Tribute
Give voice to survivors of gender-based violence. You can share more of the TED Talk videos from November 28th(Let’s end the silence around abuse | TED Talks) or share the work of groups that have a similar goal to Zonta International, such as Unchained at Last or Timea Nagy
December 6th
Student Engagement
Work with students in local high schools, colleges or universities to increase awareness about gender-based violence on campus and/or cyberviolence. Check out pages 5-6 in this report from UN Women for Strategies and Recommendations to combat cyberviolence.
In Canada, December 6th is also a National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. Check out this site for details about this day. Clubs may wish to host or coordinate a vigil with another local group to pay tribute to the women who lost their lives December 6, 1989.
December 7th
Outreach
Coordinate a letter-writing campaign to legislators about issues related to gender-based violence.
You can use this postcard template from Zonta International to write your letters.
You can also check out Amnesty International’s Write for Rights campaign to support Wendy Galarza, Rung, Anna and Vera, and Janna
December 8th
Community
Organize an in-person or virtual march to promote the 16 Days of Activism and Zonta Says No. ZC of Kitchener-Waterloo Annual March.
Take lots of pictures of the events or, if virtual, have those participating send in pictures of them marching and make a montage to share on social media
Connect with community partners that address gender-based violence, such as police and shelters. Find out what difficulties they are facing and how your club might be able to help out.
December 9th
Service
Work to support those leaving situations of domestic violence. If you are planning a holiday gathering this year (if safe to do so), take the opportunity to put together BOLT bags for victims of domestic violence. BOLT bags contain the necessities needed to quickly leave a situation. Items may include:
mini shampoo and conditioner, mini deodorant, tampons, maxi pads, toothbrush and toothpaste, mouthwash, brush/comb, soap or mini body wash, lotion, wet wipes, mini first aid kit.
December 10th
Reflection
You made it to the last day!!
Now, share all of the great things that you and your club did with Zonta International.
Click “Share your Story” either within the footer of www.ZontaSaysNO.com or visit www.zonta.org/shareyourstory.
Fill in all the fields, giving as much information about your story as possible and make sure to check the activity box, “Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women Action.” Don’t forget to submit pictures that accompany your story; the link can be found on the bottom of the same page that you use to submit your story.
Content developed from Zonta International 16 Days of Activism Toolkit and D4 Advocacy Committee Kathi Scanlon and Julie Brown.
