IT IS THE season to speak and act for women and children who experience violence. The Zonta Club of Iloilo City II held not one but two events to adhere to this advocacy.
The Zonta Says No to Violence against Women and Children (VAWC) Seminar/Forum was held last Nov. 26, 2018 at the Multi-Purpose Hall of the St. Therese MTC Colleges. Another event – the Zonta Christmas Fair – also opened on the same day at the fountain area of Robinsons Place Iloilo.
These may be two different events but they serve one purpose – to fight violence against women and children.
Zonta seminar/forum
Dr. Cheryl Lynn D. Nuñez, Zonta Club of Iloilo City II president, was the resource speaker during the Zonta Says No To Violence Against Women and Children Seminar/Forum which tackled a serious social issue.
The Zonta Club of Iloilo City II’s seminar/forum about the elimination of VAWC and Children had the theme: “Orange the World: #Hear Me Too.”
There are 750 million girls in the world who get married before the age of 18 and at least 200 million women and girls in 30 countries have undergone female genital mutilation, according to the organization.
The fact that one in five women and girls has experienced physical and/or sexual violence by an intimate partner has alarmed Zonta Club. It added that in 49 countries, there are no laws that specifically protect these women from such abuse.
Alarmingly, statistics show that in 18 countries, husbands can legally prevent their wives from work and in 39 countries, daughters and sons do not have equal inheritance rights.
Providing a discussion regarding this serious matter, the attendees of the seminar were made aware of inequality and injustice women from all across the world face every single day.
Zonta’s goals are as follows: (1) End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere, (2) eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in public and private spheres including trafficking and sexual exploitation, and (3) eliminate harmful practices, such as child, early and forced marriage, and female genital mutilation.
Zonta Christmas Fair
The Zonta Christmas Fair is a six-day bazaar experience. It is an annual event that’s been going on for 20 years. The fountain area of Robinsons Malls Iloilo is now filled with clothes, accessories, toys, and even notebooks that both kids and adults can enjoy.
This event is also a fund-raising activity to help alleviate VAWC and teenage pregnancy. The fund-raising activity is also in line with supporting several livelihood projects.
Not only do you get happiness from purchasing your item of choice but you get to feel joy upon knowing that the money you spent is a proceed for these victims of VAWC.
Truly, Zonta Club of Iloilo City II pushes their advocacy in this season of giving and caring for mankind – or shall we say, womankind./PN
