Governor’s Newsletter

HALF YEAR HIGHLIGHTS OF DISTRICT 18 IN ACTION
In reviewing the district’s first six months of the biennium’s activities, Clubs actively participated in the International Day of the Girl Child on 11th October2020. Through advocacy projects, clubs created visibility and detailed Zonta’s significant role in the emancipation of women and girls from the ills of gender-based violence.

The United Nations Day observance on the 24th October 2020 was also profound. It brought into focus its 75th birthday and years of working in partnership with Zonta on efforts to prevent and end violence against women and girls.
On 8th November 2020, which also coincided with Zonta’s 101st birthday, we chartered the Zonta Club of Accra Jubilee, bringing our district club membership to 20. We welcome them as we look forward to their active participation.

THE “EVERY MEMBER”, “EVERY NOVEMBER” CAMPAIGN
Our first attempt was quite successful, and I am grateful to all CLUBS and INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS who gave generously to the campaign.
Our district was able to raise $3,034 which will go towards the Zonta Foundation for Women’s projects. The provision of technological means such as Zoom and other webinars, made it possible for us to hold the installation of the new District Board in September, as well as a Team meeting and our first Board meeting.
Most recently, a Training and Information Session for Club Presidents and Area Directors was held to help them understand the essentials of their leadership roles. I look forward to future sessions.
– DG Ore Awoonor-Renner
 
NEW BIENNIUM UPDATE – WOMEN IN TECHNOLOGY
This scholarship will now operate at the international level. Applicants will apply directly to Zonta International via the online award spring application platform.
See the full criteria on the Zonta website – www.zonta.org
 
CONGRATULATIONS TO ZONTIAN FLORENCE BEOUINDE!
We announce, as a district, the recent appointment of Sister Zontian Florence Beouinde as Member of Parliament in Burkina Faso. We wish her well in this new engagement and pray she serves her country to the best of her ability.
Congratulations, Zontian Florence!! Keep the zonta advocacy torch aglow.
 
JANE M. KLAUSMAN BUSINESS SCHOLARSHIP AWARD
Winnie Benson Tambo was selected for the 2020 JMK district award, and she comes from the Zonta e-Club of West Africa.
Congratulations, proud recipient, for such an achievement.
Congratulations also to her Club. The district is proud of you and wish you success in your educational pursuits.
 
GET TO KNOW WINNIE
 
My name is Winnie Freda Benson-Tambo. I’m from Ghana and I just turned 26.
I work with the Quality Management Team at Nestle Business Services and sometimes with the Business Analytics Team on projects.
I am pursuing a postgraduate degree -MBA in Management Information Systems at the University of Ghana Business School. I love music and I am a beginner drummer.
My desire is to become a consultant and a leading business professional so that I can support Start Ups and young female entrepreneurs in Ghana and across the globe.
The JMK scholarship will enable me to acquire the technical know-how in Business Management and apply them to digital strategies in sound corporate decision making.
I am grateful to Zonta District 18 for this award and look forward to volunteering in Zonta programs to inspire younger girls with my experiences.
 
 
16 DAYS OF ACTIVISM
ZONTA SAYS NO TO VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN: 25th NOVEMBER – 10th DECEMBER 2020
 
Nearly every club within the district participated with very interesting and proactive projects. In this edition of the Governor’s Newsletter, we proudly feature the following clubs: Zonta Club of Freetown (The Governor’s Club), Zonta Club of Ibadan 1 & 2, Zonta Club of Accra, and Zonta Club of Ouagadougou.
These clubs joined their counterparts around africa and the world to raise awareness about Gender-Based Violence and advocated strongly for the safety and protection of women and girls.
Zonta was seen vividly in orange in our various communities. The message got across and I congratulate you all for your active involvement in this advocacy campaign.
 
 
ZONTA CLUB OF FREETOWN: ENGAGING BOYS TO END VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND GIRLS
 
In order to enhance Zonta’s visibility as well as raise awareness, two street walls have been painted with the message Zonta Says No Violence Against Women, done in Zonta Colours. These murals do not only enhance the colour of the walls on the street, but they also bring out our advocacy message for over 10,000 men, women, boys and girls  who ply the routes daily.
To strengthen and diversify our messaging to end violence against women and girls, we also targeted community men and boys to challenge their attitudes and social norms that promote violence against women and girls reoccurring in their communities.
Members of the club held conversations with 100 school boys drawn from two secondary schools on issues such as gender, sexual reproductive health, HIV AIDS, peace and security and the Sexual Offences Act 2019 encouraging them to be role models in changing attitudes and behaviours.
 
 
16 DAYS OF ACTIVISM WALK
ZONTA CLUB OF FREETOWN
Working towards gender equality – by empowering women and engaging men – is fundamental to achieving a host of development outcomes, including reducing poverty, improving health, and addressing other population issues of HIV were
also discussed.
The facilitators drawn from the Zonta membership emphasized that men and boys’ relationships with women and girls can support – or impede – improved health and development outcomes.
–  Marcella Jones, President
Zonta Club of Freetown
 
ZONTA CLUBS OF IBADAN COLLABORATE FOR ZONTA SAYS NO 2020 CAMPAIGN
The 2020 activities to mark 16 Days of Activism to end violence against women started with a Flag Off program on 25th November, which featured a Press Conference and an interactive session on the theme: SAY NO TO DRUG ADDICTION.
The program was well attended by members of the two clubs, men of the press and the public to discuss issues of violence against women and drug addiction which have been said to have a dual relationship, which means that violence can lead to drug addiction and vice versa.
This was followed by a Prevention and Intervention program on 4th December, 2020 for girls prone to drugs.
 
ZONTA CLUBS OF IBADAN COLLABORATE FOR ZONTA SAYS NO 2020 CAMPAIGN
A lecture was delivered by a Professional, Mrs. Titilola Ashiru from the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency. The lecture was impactful and the turnout of girls was impressive.
The closing program on the 10th of December, 2020 featured visits to malls, namely Ventura, ACE and Jericho malls in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria to create more awareness on the issue of violence against women.
–      Report submitted by:
Zonta Club of Ibadan 1 President
Olajumoke Akere &
Zonta Club of Ibadan 2 President
Stella Olaniyan

16 DAYS OF ACTIVISM
ZONTA CLUB OF ACCRA
The Zonta Club of Accra carried out various forms of advocacy activities during the 2020 Zonta Says NO Campaign. The Club commemorated this event by collaborating with (three) 3 other clubs in Ghana – Accra Club, Accra II, Tema, and Accra Metropolitan . The Presidents of each club circulated a post on social media reiterating the need to” Say No to Violence Against Women.”
The Club collaborated again with the  three (3) Clubs mentioned above as well as the newly chartered Zonta Club of Accra Jubilee to organize a Webinar on the Topic “Impact of Covid 19 on Domestic Violence and Abuse” on  25th November 2020. We had close to 80 participants including our District Governor Zontian Ore Renner, Lt Gov Zontian Philomene Dadzie and Area Director Salami Nadjim.
One of the Guest Speakers, Dr. Araba Sefa Dede a seasoned clinical psychologist spoke on the growing incidence of domestic violence since the partial lockdown by the Government of Ghana to curb
the spread of Covid 19. Her presentation elaborated of the various forms of domestic violence and its impact on the victim.
The Second speaker Sophia Amissah Laryea – a Zontian and a Lawyer spoke on legislation within our countries and its level of effectiveness in addressing gender-based violence. One key information she provided was the lack of enforcement due wide jurisdiction of government authority and tacit support from traditional and religious authority through cultural and religious practices.
We resolved that Zonta, through advocacy will educate and create awareness in our communities to achieve change in our societies in order to stem the growing incidence of violence against women.
 
16 DAYS OF ACTIVISM WALK
ZONTA CLUB OF ACCRA
On the 5th of December members of Accra Club joined the Zonta Club of Accra Jubilee to undertake a 2 hour walk in parts of the city of Accra to advocate against- gender based violence.
Carrying a banner and placards with inscriptions advocating against gender based violence we interacted with the public creating awareness and encouraging women to speak up and expose incidence of gender violence in our communities.
We also encouraged the men to support women and protect their human rights. The Club also made a donation of USD 500 to Zonta International Foundation for Women.
 
 
 
 
 
 
16 DAYS OF ACTIVISM
RAPPORT DE LA REMISE DE DON DU ZONTA CLUB DE OUAGADOUGOU
 
Dans le cadre des ‘’16 jours d’activisme’’, les membres du Zonta club de Ouagadougou ont procédé le 10 décembre 2020 à une remise de dons de produits de première nécessité aux personnes déplacées internes à Pazani, en périphérie de Ouagadougou.
La crise sécuritaire que traverse le Burkina Faso depuis plusieurs années, occasionne des déplacements des populations. Les personnes déplacées internes qui sont en majorité des femmes et des enfants se retrouvent dans des conditions de vie précaires: pas de nourriture, pas de toit adéquat pour s’abriter, sans protection aussi bien
sécuritaire que sanitaire.
Cette situation constitue de pires formes de violence faites aux femmes avec leurs enfants. C’est pourquoi le Zonta Club
de Ouagadougou a fait parler son cœur à travers la remise des produits suivants : des cartons de sucre, des cartons de savon, de cartons de farine infantile, des couvertures et des habits
Ce geste constitue pour le Zonta club de Ouagadougou de tirer la sonnette d’alarme en disant ‘NON’ à toutes formes de violences faites aux femmes et aux personnes vulnérables. C’est une occasion également d’’attirer l’attention individuelle et collective des autorités et la société civile sur la nécessité de traiter de la question des violences faites aux femmes et aux filles afin d’assurer la promotion de leurs droits et leur sécurité.
Les bénéficiaires ont exprimé leur joie à l’endroit du Zonta Club de Ouagadougou pour ce geste humanitaire tout en
saluant cette l’initiative.

– Hélène Traoré/Sanou
Présidente
du Zonta Club de Ouagadougou
 
 
 
16 DAYS OF ACTIVISM
ZONTA CLUB OF OUAGADOUGOU DONATION REPORT
As part of the « 16 Days of Activism », the members of the Zonta Club of Ouagadougou on December 10, 2020 made a donation of essential products to the internally displaced people in Pazani, on the outskirts of Ouagadougou.
The security crisis that Burkina Faso has been going through for several years has caused population displacement and Internally Displaced Persons,  majority of whom are women and children, find themselves in precarious living conditions;  no food, no adequate roof for shelter, no protection, both safety and health.
This situation constitutes the worst forms of violence against women and their children.This is why the Zonta Club of Ouagadougou made its heart speak through the delivery of the following products: boxes of sugar, boxes of soap, boxes of infant flour, blankets and clothes.
This gesture constitutes for the Zonta club of Ouagadougou to sound the alarm bell by saying « NO » to all forms of violence against women and vulnerable people. It is also an opportunity to draw the individual and collective attention of authorities and civil society to the need to address the issue of violence against women and girls in order to ensure the promotion of their rights and their safety.
The beneficiaries expressed their joy to the Zonta Club of Ouagadougou for this humanitarian gesture while welcoming this initiative.
Translated by:
Zontian Cordelia Jarrett-Thorpe (District Secretary)