Kathmandu – The Zonta Club of Kathmandu today organized a walkathon to promote activism to end violence against women and girls. The walkathon started from Durbar Marg with more than 500 participants walking towards Basantapur Durbar Square, and concluded with a street play with powerful messages against gender-based violence.
The
walkathon coincided with the United Nations’ 16 Days of Activism against
Gender-Based Violence from 25 November-10 December 2021. This year, the UN
marks the 16 Days under the theme “UNiTE! Activism to end violence against
women and girls”.
President of Zonta Club of Kathmandu Ava Shah said, “The 16-day activism gives us
a platform to unite and raise our voices against gender-based violence. Women
from all walks of life continue to make up the bulk of victims of abuse.
Through this walkathon and other events over the next 16 days, we hope to put
the spotlight back on creating action and supporting survivors of domestic
violence, uniting activists working to end gender-based violence and creating
solidarity for the women’s rights movement,”
Governor of Zonta International, District 25
Shreejana Rana said,“Gender-based
violence is a serious human rights violation that affects women’s well-being
and her ability to lead a productive life. It also impacts their families and
has tremendous cost implications, including loss of productivity and
opportunities to earn livelihoods. Every woman has the right to live free from
violence. Through this walkathon, the Zonta Club called on influencers,
activists, the media and the youth to amplify their voices against gender-based
violence.”
Zonta
has produced four short films that are being played at QFX cinemas over the
16-day campaign period. “These short films deliver the vital message that
violence/harassment and child marriages are never okay - not one time, NOT EVER
and one must speak up,” said Vidushi
Rana, chair of 16-days campaign on violence against women of Zonta Club of
Kathmandu. “The videos, we hope, will encourage victims to seek help and
let them know of the helpline options where they can safely call and speak up.”
As
part of the initiative, Zonta will also stage a series of street plays and
organize discussions in schools and public places in Kathmandu and surrounding
areas. In the lead up to the walkathon,
Zonta also rallied influencers to advocate against gender-based violence and
create awareness on the importance of speaking up. These clips are being widely
circulated in the social media.
The
walkathon was organized with support from Kumari Bank, JGI Foundation, Laxmi
Bank, KTM City, LiBird, Welt Hunger Hilfe, German Cooperation, and Aqua
Hundred.
Zonta
International is a leading global organization of professionals, empowering
women worldwide through service and advocacy.
Under
the umbrella of Zonta International, the Zonta Club Kathmandu was established
in 2012. It is a registered NGO in Kathmandu and has been working on the
advancement of the status of women with the objective to improve the economy,
education, health, and issues related to youth and violence against women at
the local and national levels through service and advocacy.
