Zonta Groups Unite to Say ‘No’ in Dramatic Display at Dunedin City Library

Dunedin (Monday, 18 November 2013) – From 12 noon on Monday, 25 November, a dramatic, visual display will be opened on the ground floor of the Dunedin City Library highlighting the tragedy of violence towards women.

The work is a collaboration of the Zonta Club of Dunedin-Otago and the Zonta Club of Metropolitan Dunedin, in partnership with the Dunedin Public Library, to support an international ‘Say No to Violence’ campaign.

Lea Werner, President of the Zonta Club of Dunedin-Otago, says “We cannot ignore this violence against women and girls, a violence that is perpetrated against victims throughout the world and in all types of societies and it is in our own backyard here in New Zealand. Shame on all of us if we allow this violence to continue without raising our voices in anger and protest.”

The two local Zonta clubs have joined forces to bring this issue to the attention of people throughout Otago, and to create a greater awareness of the devastation that this violence creates worldwide. By combining their efforts in support of this cause, both clubs felt there was an opportunity to have this important message reach the whole community.

Carole Bezett, President of the Zonta Metropolitan Club of Dunedin says “It is our hope that the campaign will bring to the public’s attention the huge amount of violence that exists in New Zealand.”

Founded in 1919, Zonta International is a global organisation of executives and professionals working together to advance the status of women worldwide through service and advocacy. With more than 30,000 members belonging to 1,200 clubs in 65 countries, Zontians all over the world volunteer their time, talent and support to local and international service projects and educational programmes. Since June 2012, the Zonta International Foundation has raised more than $600,000 to fight violence against women.

Zonta’s campaign will be launched at 12 noon on 25 November by Professor Mark Henaghan, Dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Otago, who will present a keynote speech highlighting the need to increase action to end violence against women and girls around the world.

The Library will carry the Zonta Says No display for 16 days in tandem with the international campaign 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence sponsored by the Centre for Women’s Global Leadership and Zonta International.

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