A banner showing support for women experiencing gender-based violence was targeted recently when it was stolen before being mysteriously returned.
The Zonta Club of Stanthorpe has displayed a banner as part of The Annual 16 Days of Activism 25th Nov-10 Dec, which raises awareness about violence against women and girls as a human rights issue, focusing on the importance of grassroots work on violence against women as well as providing an international platform for advocacy and campaigning.
The location for the banner this year was All Storage Sheds, with the owner’s permission, specifically given because they support the cause as they normally don’t allow fences to be used for other forms of advertising.
On Wednesday 30th November, Zonta was informed that the banner had come down and when they checked discovered that the zip-ties used to attach it had been deliberately cut and the banner scrunched up on the ground.
“An act that displays an act of violence and shows disrespect and ignorance of this global pandemic affecting 1 in 3 women in their lifetime,” a spokesperson said.
The banner was then reported missing on Sunday, before being returned earlier this week.
Zonta says they’re very thankful to have it back and intact, and said people targeting the banner only shows the need to raise awareness for the issue.
Desleigh Volpato says it’s disappointing that people feel they can interfere with other people’s property, but Zonta is hopeful the banner will stay up until 11 November when the 16 days of activism come to an end.
It’s not the first time a Zonta Club’s Raising Awareness display has been targeted.
Zonta Club of Roma had a display of their Orange Ladies vandalised in 2017.
Zonta says this act is concerning and disappointing and has highlighted the reason why Zonta members advocate for 16 Days of Activism at this time each year.
Over 3,700 organizations in approximately 164 countries, including 27000 members from 1133 Zonta Clubs worldwide, have participated in the 16 Days Campaign established in 1991.
The annual “16 Days Campaign” spans the 16-day period between International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (November 25) and International Human Rights Day (December 10) to make the symbolic statement that violence against women is a violation of human rights.
At the time of print, 41 women have died due to violence this year.
