During the 2012-2014 biennium, Zonta International launched a global campaign titled, “Zonta Says No,” designed to highlight the distressing statistics concerning violence against women, and to urge an end to this worldwide crime. In November 2013, Zonta clubs throughout the world marched, demonstrated, held meetings and seminars, distributed educational materials, and made presentations to public officials, advocating for support on strategies to reduce violence.
The Zonta Club of Sanibel-Captiva set up educational displays on Sanibel, received proclamation decrying violence from the City of Sanibel, and joined other Lee County clubs in obtaining a proclamation from the Lee County Board of Commissioners.
Since the inception of the “Zonta Says No” crusade, our club has remained active in advocacy efforts and has been influential through editorials and letter-writing campaigns, in urging continued funding for services such as mental health, anti-violence initiatives, and health care for women and girls.
The “Zonta Says No To Violence Against Women” advocacy efforts have been repeated each year since 2014 with plans to be continued in future years.