LIHU‘E — News media accounts of child and domestic abuse incidents appear almost daily, and, during this time of COVID-19, are appearing to increase.
The Zonta Club of Kaua‘i is attempting to do something about stemming the situation, joining the Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women campaign during the 16 Days of Activism that takes place starting Nov. 25 and continuing through Dec. 10.
Violence against women and girls is one of the most pervasive human rights violations, and a global epidemic states the Zonta Club of Kaua‘i who invite other Zonta Clubs and districts to participate in the Zonta campaign. It knows no national or cultural barriers and affects millions of women and girls in peacetime and conflict.
“This year, the Advocacy Committee decided to do a Malama Pu‘olo Na Wahine, or care bundles for women,” said Edie Ignacio Neumiller of the Zonta Club of Kaua‘i. “Last year, in November 2020, our campaign advocacy event donated many towels to the survivors at the YWCA Women’s Shelter, the towels coming from donations from the Zonta Club members and people in the community.”
The Zonta Club of Kaua‘i is partnering with Catholic Charities Hawai‘i, Child and Family Service, the Girl Scouts Hawai‘i, Deja Vu Surf Hawai‘i, and the Kukui Grove Center to provide Malama Pu‘olo Na Wahine bundles for women on our island.
The club is also soliciting the help of Kaua‘i people to contribute to the bundles by dropping off new, unopened care items, including skincare, hair care, toiletry, and lip gloss to special drop off locations.
Drop-offs can be made at the Deja Vu Surf Hawai‘i at Kukui Grove starting Nov. 15 and continuing until Dec. 3 during the store’s normal operating hours.
On Dec. 4, the Zonta Club of Kaua‘i and its partners will be at the Kukui Grove Center Food Court to accept drop-off contributions and share the Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women campaign. Members will be available from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and members of the public are also invited to share the campaign.
Zonta International is a leading global organization of professionals committed to empowering women worldwide through service and advocacy. Zonta envisions a world in which women’s rights are recognized as human rights and every woman is able to achieve her full potential.
In such a world, women have access to all resources and are represented in decision-making positions on an equal basis with men. In such a world, no woman lives in fear of violence.
