JANESVILLE — The ZONTA Club of Janesville is participating in a global event, 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, beginning with a local kickoff event on Monday.
It will begin at 5 p.m. Monday at the Janesville Women’s Club, 108 S. Jackson St. with a brief presentation, followed by a hands-on advocacy project and ending with a candlelight vigil to the Blain Gilbertson Heritage Bridge overlooking the Rock River. Light refreshments will be served.
“One of the most widespread and persistent human rights violations in our world today, violence against women, girls, and trans-persons appears in physical, sexual and psychological forms including intimate partner violence, sexual violence and harassment, child marriage, human trafficking, and female genital mutilation,” a release said.
Each year during the 16 Days of Activism to End Gender-Based Violence, observed this year Nov. 25 through Dec. 10, Zonta International encourages its clubs and members to “take local, national, and international actions to influence the making and implementation of laws, as well as changing gender-based attitudes and behaviors to end violence against women,” the release continued.
In October, state Sen. Mark Spreitzer (D-Beloit), state Rep. Ann Roe (D-Janesville), state Rep. Clinton Anderson (D-Beloit), and state Rep. Brienne Brown (D-Whitewater) introduced legislation to end child marriages in Wisconsin in collaboration with the Zonta Club of Janesville and other Wisconsin Zonta clubs.
Zonta International is a global organization of professionals that aims to empower women worldwide through service and advocacy.
