Observing the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, the globally recognized service organization Zonta International began its annual “16 Days of Activism” campaign against gender-based violence on Saturday. All six Zonta Clubs in Bangladesh observed the day.

The campaign will include a number of events and activities aimed at eliminating violence against women and girls in society and advancing women’s rights – beginning on November 25 and running through December 10, International Human Rights Day.

Read: Zonta Clubs of Bangladesh commemorate UN day

Members of all Zonta clubs in Dhaka gathered and held a rally on Saturday at Justice Shahabuddin Ahmed Park in Gulshan to advocate for women’s rights, eliminating child marriage, and raising awareness for gender-equal climate action.

Wearing the thematic orange t-shirts with the Zonta logo and carrying banners and placards in English and Bangla, Zonta Club members held a procession in the park and shared their viewpoints and agenda.

It was followed by a discussion programme held at the Gulshan Ladies Community Club which was addressed by Nilufer Zafarullah, Chair of the Zonta District 25 Area 2 Advocacy Committee; Dr Zareen Delawar Hussain, District 25 Governor-Elect; Farahnaz Qaiyum, Area Director of D-25, Area-2; Zaheda Samdani, Vice Area Director of D-25, Area-2; and Dilruba Ahmed, District 25 Rules and Resolutions Committee Chair.

Talking about the initiatives, Nilufer Zafarullah said, “Zonta District 25 is made up of four neighboring countries: Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, and Nepal. Area 2 of this unit is made up of Bangladesh and Nepal, and the same activities are being held in Nepal.”

Describing the mission, vision and activities of the club, District 25 Governor-Elect Dr Zareen Delawar Hussain said, “As of now, Zonta International is globally operating with more than one thousand club units which build a supportive community of more than 0.2 million like-minded professional women around the world. In Bangladesh, we have five clubs in Dhaka and one in Chattogram.”

Read: First Area meeting of Zonta International District-25 held in Chattogram

“Two months ago, we observed the 104th founding anniversary of the Zonta International. Our goal is to raise our united voices to prevent violence against women in our society, to eradicate child marriage and the dowry system, and to empower our children and women with education,” she added.

“In this journey of togetherness, we also want our boys and men to join us and raise a unified voice towards violence against women. We need to establish a society where our girls and women can feel safe which is required for their progress; and we will run our advocacy and awareness programmes in these 16 days including media interviews, campaigns and visits to different educational institutions and more,” Dr Zareen Delawar Hussain told UNB.

Read more: 16-days of activism: Zonta Club of Greater Dhaka conducts tree plantation, rickshaw rally in the city

Organised by the District 25 Advocacy Committee Chair, the event featured inspiring remarks from the speakers and covered many important aspects, setting the tone for Zonta’s 16 Days of Activism in the coming days.

The discussion was also accompanied by a candle-lighting ceremony with all the dignitaries as symbolic of the hope and determination of Zonta Club members in their mission.