Report from Advocacy Committee (2022-2024)
Co-Chairs: Elizabeth Law and Teresa Lin
Committee Members: Betty Fu, Laura Cozijnsen, Patricia Yeung
Strategic Focus
The focus of the Advocacy Committee was established at the beginning of the biennium. In line with the Zonta International goals we work on two strategic area a) “Say No to violence” – ending all forms of gender-based violence b) Ensure that women are empowered with the right resources for their development and that women are represented in decision-making positions on equal basis with men.
Advocacy Activities for the Biennium
Year 2022
Graduation of Smart Steward Training Program took place on 17 September 2022 at Duke of Windsor Social Service Building. This is a women empowerment advocacy project by reskilling of women who wants to rejoin the working community but discriminated for obvious reasons. 16 stewards graduated from the program run by Hong Kong Employment Development Service and our club members actively participated in the curriculum and also acting as speakers. We were honoured to be officiated by Guest of Honour Mr. Bernard Chan, Chairman and Chua Hoi Wai, CEO of Hong Kong Council of Social Services.
On 6 December 2022, we held an advocacy seminar to explore rate of successful court cases and reported cases on victims of abused or raped women and girls in Hong Kong. The topic is 逆轉性侵. Speakers were Linda Wong, executive director of Rain Lily and Frances Lee, Senior Superintendent of Police, Crime Support Group of the Hong Kong Police Force. A resolution at the end of the panel discussion was “Action is needed and Zonta should explore ways to raise the success rate of raped or abused cases so that the victims will be protected and justice attained.
Year 2023
On 6 December 2023 the Committee organized a documentary about the struggle for women’s equality in the United States during in the early days of the 20th century. The film show was released at Club Lusitano and attracted 23 participants including members from other Zonta clubs and Golden Z club members. It registers the “Awakening” of United States Women. Then followed by active discussion by members on women’s job opportunities and pay equality. The film validated the club’s work under the Zonta vision.
Project in Progress
The board approved publications for booklets for distribution to kindergarten and primary schools in Hong Kong, to promote non-violence to women and girls. We believe in early education on NO to Violence at age of 3 – 12 years old. The books are in French and is currently being translated.
