Category Archives: Advocacy
Zonta Club of Janesville takes stand against Gender-Based Violence
Thirty-five percent of women worldwide have experienced either physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence or non-partner sexual violence. The Zonta Club of Janeville is participating in the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, an international campaign that aims to inspire action and end violence against women and girls. The Zonta says “NO” to Gender-Based Violence awareness campaign runs from November 25-December 10, 2023.
To kickoff the advocacy campaign in Janesville, the pedestrian bridge at ARISE Town Square will be lighted ORANGE from November 25-30. Zonta thanks the City of Janesville for its cooperation with this.
The Zonta Club has also erected a silhouette outside of the Janesville Woman’s Club featuring messages about Gender-Based Violence. Thank you to the Woman’s Club Foundation for their cooperation with this part of the campaign.
“Violence has no place in our community. It needs to be eradicated,” says Zonta Club president Cathy Myers. “We’re hoping to drive home that point through these activities,” Myers says. Additionally, local Zontians will engage in a social media campaign about the prevalence and impact of gender-based violence.
Use the links at the top of the page to visit Janesville Zonta’s Facebook and Instagram pages.
Come Celebrate International Women’s Day!
Join us in honoring the women in your lives who have made a difference. Bring in a story to share and picture (optional) about a woman who has helped empower you, who has made a positive difference in your life. This program is free and open to all.
Beginning at 6:00pm, Vocal Soloist Jan Knutson and students from Parker Arts Academy will perform musical selections, honoring women composers and songwriters. We will share stories throughout the evening. The Hedberg Public Library will join us by presenting a display at the event.
Light refreshments will be served; the JPAC cash bar will be open.
Wednesday, March 9, 2022 at 6:00pm – 8:00pm.
Janesville Performing Arts Center Gallery; 408 S. Main St., Janesville, WI.
This program is free and open to all. If you are interested in telling a story, please contact Edie Baran: ediebaran@gmail.com, or call/text 608-931-5705. We ask that your story be no longer than 5 minutes long. You may also just post your story on the display board at the event. Please visit the Janesville Zonta Facebook page for more details and to preview women’s stories.
Zonta International is a leading global organization of professionals empowering women worldwide through service and advocacy.
Zonta International envisions a world in which women’s rights are recognized as human rights and every woman is able to achieve her full potential.
In such a world, women have access to all resources and are represented in decision-making positions on an equal basis with men.
In such a world, no woman lives in fear of violence. For more information about the ZONTA of Janesville, email janesville_president@zontadistrict6.org or message us on Facebook!
Improve access to medical forensics for survivors of violence
Every 68 seconds, an American is sexually assaulted, and one out of every six American women has been the victim of an attempted or completed rape in her lifetime.
The Alaska Comprehensive Training Forensic Academy (ACTFA), a pilot program run through the University of Alaska Anchorage, promotes forensic training for nurses and health care providers to build capacity for communities to respond to all types of violence.
The bipartisan S. 2655, or the Ensuring Forensic Care for All Victims Act, authorizes demonstration grants based off the ACTFA. Its purpose is to create funding opportunities through national demonstration grants to develop trauma-informed standards of care that
promote generalist forensic medical training tailored to meet health care professional and first responder needs.
The Ensuring Forensic Care for All Victims Act was introduced in the Senate by Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and John Hickenlooper (D-CO) in August 2021. Please urge your senators to co-sponsor and support S. 2655. If they have already sponsored or cosponsored the bill, you can send a message of thanks
Membership Drive Going On Now!
Since 1960, Zonta Club of Janesville has enhanced the community we live in through service and advocacy projects as well as fundraising efforts which provide scholarships to local women. Below are our current Service and Advocacy Projects. Interested in learning more? Join our Monthly Club Meeting on the first Tuesday of every month (excluding July/August). Contact us today for more information!
Service Projects:
Violence Against Women Programs
YWCA Alternatives to Violence: This program’s goal is meeting the crisis needs of domestic violence victims. Volunteers can answer the 24-hour helpline, listen, and provide support to callers and shelter residents. Zonta members contribute household items as requested and provide financial assistance for programming.
YWCA Transitional Living Program: This program’s goal is to help women make a successful transition from abusive relationships to violence-free homes and independent lives. Volunteers assist with child care, mentoring, and preparing welcome items. Zonta members contribute household items as requested, and service funds help meet emergency needs of the residents.
Women with a Vision Program
In this service project, initiated in 2012, Zonta collaborates with other agencies and foundations to provide scholarships and additional support to single mothers who intend to pursue education that will empower them to enter careers that provide family sustaining wages. Zonta members are part of the candidate selection committee.
Sexual Assault Recovery Program (SARP)
This project’s goal is to help women in the aftermath of sexual assault. Zonta members contribute toiletries as requested to help women retain & reclaim their dignity in clinical settings.
Literacy
The Janesville Literacy Connection: Club members can participate as volunteer tutors and with the annual Trivia for Literacy contest.
Fundraising
In order to support our service projects, members engage in fundraising activities. Members also track their fundraising hours during the year. Fundraising hours include time spent on the nut sale and the International Women’s Day Luncheon to raise funds in support of our service projects.
Z-Club Program
The Zonta Club of Janesville voted to assume the sponsorship of the Z-Club at Beloit Memorial High School after the Zonta Club of Beloit disbanded. Z-Clubs must be approved annually at the school. We stand ready to sponsor the Z-Club when it is authorized by the school.
Advocacy Projects:
The Zonta Club of Janesville engages in advocacy to improve the legal, political, economic, educational, health and professional status of women in our local community through projects. These include:
International Women’s Day Workshop and Advocacy at the State Capitol
To acknowledge International Women’s Day, club members will join with other Wisconsin Zonta Clubs in Madison to receive updates on issues concerning violence against women, and other legal issues affecting the status of women in Wisconsin. Zontians will learn how to approach members of the State Assembly and Senate on these issues, and will then go to the Capitol building to meet with legislators and their staff to actively engage them in discussion about women’s issues and needed legislation. The day will end with a rally in the Capitol Rotunda.
On or around International Women’s Day (March 8) club members join with other Wisconsin Zonta Clubs in Madison to receive updates on issues concerning violence against women, and other legal issues affecting the status of women in Wisconsin. Zontians learn how to approach members of the State Assembly and Senate on these issues, and will then go to the Capitol building to meet with legislators and their staff to actively engage them in discussion about women’s issues and needed legislation.
Zonta Says NO: Join the Campaign to End Violence Against Women
To support this Zonta International campaign, our local Zontians participate in and support events such as the YWCA’s “Walk a Mile in Her Shoes” and a social media campaign to increase awareness of gender-based violence.
Annual International Women’s Day Luncheon
Every year, in March, the Zonta Club of Janesville hosts a luncheon to observe International Women’s Day. This is one of the club’s major events to raise funds to support our local and international service and advocacy projects.
16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence
The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is an international campaign that takes place each year. It commences on 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, to 10 December, Human Rights Day, indicating that violence against women is the most pervasive breach of human rights worldwide. It was originated by activists at the inaugural Women’s Global Leadership Institute in 1991 and continues to be coordinated each year by the Center for Women’s Global Leadership. It is used as an organizing strategy by individuals, institutions and organizations around the world to call for the prevention and elimination of violence against women and girls (VAWG).
Ways to Take Action!
- Donate to your local or national shelter or hotline service
- Make a personal commitment to not condone or accept violence, and to speak up
- Have conversations with family and friends about the negative impact of VAWG on individuals and communities
- Educate yourself about the causes and consequences of VAWG
- Invest in technical solutions to aid government and civil society response for survivors such as online and text support
- Invest in creating safer spaces on- and offline for women and girls
- Donate to local women’s organizations
