Over the past five years, Zonta International has championed the fight against gender-based violence (GBV) and child marriage, particularly in the Philippines. Through its advocacy efforts and the annual 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, Zonta has achieved significant milestones, fostering social change and legislative progress to protect women and children globally and locally.
Key Milestones in Combating GBV
1. The 16 Days of Activism Campaign
The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, which runs from November 25 (International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women) to December 10 (Human Rights Day), has been a central platform for Zonta’s advocacy.
- 2020: The Zonta Club of the Philippines, led by Zonta Cebu, led the campaign with initiatives addressing child marriage, advocating for the Girls Not Brides Bill. This legislative effort aimed to address the alarming prevalence of child marriage, as the Philippines remains among the top countries globally for child brides .
- 2022–2023: Zonta Clubs continued their advocacy, emphasizing the importance of legislation prohibiting child marriage. They expanded their campaigns to include support initiatives, such as blood donation drives for GBV survivors and educational summits for youth empowerment .
2. Legislative Advocacy Against Child Marriage
Zonta Philippines has worked tirelessly to promote legislative changes aimed at ending child marriage:
- Promotion of the Girls Not Brides Bill: This bill advocates for a minimum marriage age of 18 years without exceptions. Zonta’s efforts have included lobbying local government units, organizing forums, and conducting educational seminars to raise awareness of the dangers of child marriage .
- Collaboration with NGOs and Government Agencies: Zonta partnered with UNICEF and other organizations to strengthen community-based programs that educate families about the negative impacts of early marriage on girls’ health, education, and safety. These partnerships have reinforced national campaigns like Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women .
3. Community Awareness and Social Change Initiatives
Through its local clubs, Zonta Philippines has implemented numerous programs to foster awareness and societal transformation:
- Youth Engagement and Educational Seminars: Initiatives like the “EmpowerHER” summit in 2021 brought together over 160 young participants to discuss the long-term impacts of child marriage and GBV, empowering them with knowledge about their rights .
- Mental Health and Children’s Rights Workshops: Zonta Clubs have also conducted workshops to address mental health issues, promoting resilience among vulnerable communities while highlighting the intersection of mental health and GBV prevention .
- Social Media Advocacy: Clubs have leveraged online platforms to amplify their message, engaging younger audiences and encouraging wider community participation in their campaigns .
Global Collaboration
Zonta International’s commitment to ending GBV extends beyond the Philippines. Their global collaboration with UNICEF focuses on addressing child marriage in countries like Nepal and promoting educational and policy-driven solutions to this persistent issue . This global perspective complements the localized efforts of Zonta Clubs in the Philippines, creating a unified strategy to end GBV.
Impact of Zonta’s Efforts
Zonta International’s initiatives have achieved significant outcomes in combating GBV and child marriage:
- Increased Awareness: Zonta’s campaigns have sparked critical discussions around women’s rights and empowerment, particularly in communities where GBV and child marriage are prevalent.
- Legislative Influence: Advocacy for laws like the Girls Not Brides Bill has drawn national attention, catalyzing progress in protecting young girls from early marriage and domestic violence.
- Strengthened Community Engagement: Events like educational summits, blood drives, and barangay recognition programs have galvanized collaboration among local governments, NGOs, and community members.
Since the inception of our 16 Days of Advocacy, Zonta Club of the Philippines has been spearheading major changes when it comes to the rights of women and girls in the Philippines. Now on our fifth year, we continue raising the call for changes to keep being made in order to safeguard Women and Girls. No one should be left behind, and we invite everyone to join us in continuing the fight!
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