LIHU‘E — Saturday marked the midpoint of the Zonta Club of Kaua‘i 16 Days of Activism, Zonta Says No to Violence Against Women.
The campaign to raise awareness and end violence against women and girls started on Nov. 25 and will continue until Dec. 10.
“We still have a week to go,” said Edie Ignacio Neumiller of the Zonta Club of Kaua‘i. “But instead of just raising awareness, we’re moving to action.”
Completed Malama Pu‘olo Na Wahine, or care bundles in specially-created drawstring bags created by Girl Scouts in Troops 174, 775, and 4364, were presented to representatives of Catholic Charities Hawai‘i, and Child and Family Service who were present at the Kukui Grove Center food court with information on the services each organization had to offer.
The charities were selected to receive the bundles because a lot of their clients are women and children who cannot afford the items contained in the pu‘olo, or because they are homeless.
“There is still until Friday to go,” Neumiller said. “Supplies are still coming in, and everyone is packing as more bags and supplies become available.”
Zonta Club of Kaua‘i members made a show of force, garbed in orange symbolizing a brighter future, free of violence and serving as a means of demonstrating solidarity in eliminating all forms of violence against women.
Orange also is the color of the International Day for Elimination of Violence Against Women that started Nov. 25 as part of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.
“We want to thank Sara Miura of Deja Vu Surf Hawai‘i who was so enthusiastic about collecting supplies for the care bundles,” Neumiller said. “Sara had the collection boxes ready from before the Nov. 25 start date. Today, we did a final collection and told Deja Vu to send any potential contributors to the food court.”
During the 16 Days of Activism, the Zonta Club of Kaua‘i set goals to inspire and encourage Zonta clubs and individuals to raise awareness of, and take action to prevent gender-based violence, to let individuals know they are part of a global community of activists and are empowered to take action by being part of the campaign through the donation of care items.
“We’re not just raising awareness,” Neumiller said. “We’re moving to action.”
The Zonta Club of Kaua‘i and the Zonta Club of Kaua‘i Foundation are currently partnering with The Garden Island newspaper for the Christmas Fund that provides funds for people in the Kaua‘i community who need support.
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
