Zonta Says NO to violence against women is a charitable organisation that offers education around family violence to students and their families.

On Sunday 4th December one of our outgoing Students Against Sexual Harm (SASH) leaders, Hawwa Niyaz, and one of our incoming SASH leaders Kayla Pringle spoke at the Zonta Says No To Violence Against Women garden party about the work that SASH is doing and its initiatives that are currently being worked on for future implementation.  Kayla and Hawwa spoke at Te Whare Waiutuutu Kate Sheppard House, alongside speakers from the NZ Police and Empowerment Trust. 

With Sheppard as one of our school houses, it was incredibly interesting to learn more about the suffrage movement and tour of Te Whare Waiutuutu Kate Sheppard House, understanding more about the work that has happened in the past. We were able to relate this same admirable spirit to the work done by honourable guests such as MPs, Lianne Dalzell, the President of the Christchurch branch of the National Council of Women, Zontians, community leaders and Zonta partners all in attendance.

The first speaker was Chris from the NZ police, who spoke about violence in Aotearoa, engaging the audience with a real part of a 111 call made to the Police.

He reminded the attendees that it would be better if we were not there at that event at all. That if violence against women were not a thing, then we would not be there.  Jessica and Sheree from Empowerment Trust then spoke about the ways in which their organisation has been working with communities and not at them.

Particularly in the education sector with young children in primary and early childhood education. As the organisation through ACC delivered the Mates and Dates programme, Empowerment Trust has incredible experience in trauma-informed responses and has been an organisation that remained a key contact and supporter throughout SASH’s planning and growth throughout 2021 and 2022.

Both SASH and Empowerment Trust were able to touch on our collaborative work, and what it has meant for the school community and students.  Kayla and Hawwa’s speeches focused on the initiatives that SASH has been working on this year and its direction for the future. As young people, it was incredibly important that we spread the message that other young people are showing interest, getting involved and want to change the narrative that exists.

There have been buildings across the central city lit up in orange and will remain for one more day, until Friday 10 December, in support of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, running from the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women to International Human Rights Day. The ZONTA event had an orange theme and the photos you see in this article reflect the attendees standing in solidarity and support

Below is a photo of the hearts along the driveway of Te Whare Waiutuutu Kate Sheppard House. The 110 hearts represent some of the women and children who have lost their lives to family violence since 2016.