Zonta sign campaign says no to violence against women

Zonta International is going behind closed doors in its latest campaign to reduce violence against women and girls.

Bracken Ridge Tavern general manager Ben White, Ruthie Adams from Zonta International and Cr Amanda Cooper at the launch of signs promoting emergency phone numbers for women and girls experiencing violence. Picture: Michelle Smith

ZONTA International is going behind closed doors in its latest campaign to reduce violence against women and girls.

District 22 (which includes 44 Zonta clubs through Queensland and one in NSW) has launched new signs for the backs of female public toilet doors.

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The signs list emergency phone numbers of organisations which can help women and girls in times of need.

Ruthie Adams from Zonta International checks out one of the signs which have been attached to the back of all female toilet doors at Bracken Ridge Tavern. Picture: Michelle Smith

The campaign has received funding from Brisbane City Council, with the first phase being the placement of signs at toilets in libraries, community halls and parks.

It will then expand to include pubs and clubs throughout Brisbane before being rolled out statewide.

The Zonta Says No signs were launched today in north Brisbane at the Bracken Ridge Tavern (BRT), the first site to install them.

District 22 Centennial Celebrations chair Ruthie Adams said Zonta had been empowering women through service and advocacy for the past 100 years and was very active in Queensland.

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“The reason we are putting emergency phone number signage on the backs of women’s public toilet doors is because this is a great way to better inform all women and girls,” Ms Adams said.

“It is also a safe place. Women could even phone from the safety of the toilet cubicle.”

Council’s Infrastructure Committee chair Amanda Cooper was pleased to launch the project.

“This is a valuable campaign that supports women and girls who are often facing incredibly difficult circumstances,” Cr Cooper said.

“Vital resources such as these signs are critical in tackling and reducing the rate of violence.”

The new sign which will be installed in women’s public toilets throughout Brisbane and, eventually, statewide. Picture: Michelle Smith

BRT general manager Ben White is very supportive of the campaign.

“The BRT are proud supporters of Zonta, and the Zonta Club of Northside Inc meets at our venue on the first Tuesday of the month at 6.30pm.

“As a local community pub we understand the need to raise awareness to our patrons, as it’s an opportunity to reach out to women on a topic that’s not often discussed.

“This process is an opportunity to ensure women have access to numbers which can help them.”

District 22 Advocacy chair Glynnis Gartside said the campaign was in line with Zonta International’s key messages.

“The two key international advocacy campaigns are Zonta Says Yes to gender equity and Zonta Says No to violence against women and girls,” she said.

Zonta operates in 68 countries with around 30,000 volunteers and is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year.