Zonta Club of Key West launched “16 Days of Activism” on Nov. 21 by tying orange ribbons around the palm trees along North Roosevelt Boulevard to raise awareness about gender-based violence.
“Orange the World: Fund, Respond, Prevent, Collect,” is this year’s theme for International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. This anti-violence campaign, also known as “Zonta Says No,” is supported by Zonta Club of Key West, the United Nations, Zonta International and other organizations. Even before COVID-19 hit, violence against women and girls had reached pandemic proportions. Globally, 243 million women and girls were abused by an intimate partner in the past year. Meanwhile, fewer than 40% of the women who experience violence report it or seek help.
Key West residents and visitors are encouraged to support the work by wearing orange during the 16 days, helping to end violence against women, and eliminating the detrimental consequences it has on the well-being of our community.
If you or someone you know is experiencing violence against women, please call the Domestic Abuse Shelter 24-hour hotline at 305-743-4440 or text: 305-240-0105.The Key West City Commission also presented a proclamation to Zonta Club of Key West on Nov. 4 in recognition of 16 Days of Activism, permitting the display of the orange ribbons along North Roosevelt until Dec. 10. For more information about Zonta Club of Key West, visit: http://facebook.com/zontakw or zontakeywest.com.
