Starting today, the Zonta Club of Austin, along with members of the community, will participate in the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence to bring awareness to an often under-reported crime.

The 16 Days of Activism is an international campaign originated from the first Women’s Global Leadership Institute sponsored by the Center for Women’s Global Leadership in 1991. Zonta International’s nearly 1,200 clubs in 65 countries are participating in this effort in their local communities in support of “Zonta Says NO,” a campaign to raise awareness of, and increase actions to end violence against women and girls around the world through service and advocacy.

“We cannot and must not ignore the fact that violence against women and girls is still pervasive in all kinds of countries and societies, with one in three girls impacted during their lifetime,” said Zonta International President Lynn McKenzie. “It’s in our backyard. Zonta International has been commited to its prevention of eradication for many years. In 2013, as the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women focuses on fighting violence against women, we support the Initiative with ‘Zonta says NO.’”

Since June 2012, the Zonta International Foundation has raised more than $600,000 to fight violence against women. Zonta clubs across the world have organized more than 40 events as part of Zonta Says NO, from panel discussions on violence against women and screenings of topical films, to displaying Zonta Says NO banners and hosting charity auctions.

In Austin, Mower County Attorney Kristen Nelsen will talk to Zonta members about gender violence in Austin, and what her office sees. The local Zonta Club will also bring awareness to gender violence with facts in the Austin Daily Herald today through Dec. 10.

Founded in 1919, Zonta International is a global organization 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 nearly 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 programs. To learn more, visit www.zontaclubofaustinmn.org, or call 507-433,7325.

Zonta Says NO began in November 2012 and will continue through this December, focusing on the service and advocacy actions of Zonta clubs and districts to prevent and end violence against women and girls in their local communities. Zonta International’s ongoing efforts to end violence against women and girls are carried out through the Zonta International Strategies to End Violence against Women program and through Zonta’s partnerships with the United Nations and its agencies.

To learn more about Zonta Says NO or join the campaign, visit zontasaysno.com.

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