Lita, not her real name, grew up in a dysfunctional family in Tondo. When her mother, Trining, could no longer have sex, she would force Lita, then 12 years old, on her husband.
Hearing about the incestuous relationship, a neighbor reported the case to Bantay Bata, ABS-CBN’s social welfare program that protects the disadvantaged. Lita was brought to the Good Shepherd Convent, home for abused women.
Zonta sponsored Lita’s therapy. Now a young adult, she speaks at engagements organized by Zonta.
Whenever Zonta district governor Primitiva Sison recalls this story, her eyes become moist with tears. “I saw how women are not equipped to cope with problems of violence. By making them aware of their rights, they can fight abuse.”
Olivia Ferry, Zonta International’s past president, adds, “We are women helping women. Our programs give you the double dividend of improving lives of women, children and communities.”
When the Zonta District 17 holds its conference Sept. 15-17 at New World Makati, they will be sharing experiences of empowerment with leaders and members from other parts of the country and Asia. The theme “One Vision, One Mission, One Voice, One Movement: A Season of Weaving Dreams,” will focus on unity and raising the bar of service.
No to violence
Zonta’s focus covers women’s issues ranging from protection of human rights, livelihood, health and education to equal opportunity at work. They also run a center for sexually abused children.
Its biggest program, Zonta Says No to Violence, spans everything from domestic abuse to international human trafficking.
During her term as Zonta head from 2006 to 2008, Ferry cites human trafficking missions in Eastern Europe and Mekong Region in Thailand. The organization also supported the campaign against female genital mutilation in Burkina Faso in West Africa.
In the Philippines, Zonta’s busiest program is prevention of teenage pregnancy and early marriage. “The Philippines is one of the top countries in Asia for young unwed mothers,” says Sison.
Zonta’s projects are diverse: Ferry recalls that when she first joined Zonta Club in Makati in the ’70s, the group organized the Labahan Project, where the women could wash their clothes in the multipurpose center.
Fundraising event
Today, the Zonta Club of Makati and its Environs hosts its most popular fundraising event, the annual FilipinaZ Bazaar, selling accessories produced by big-name designers.
In education, the first Zonta Club in Asia, the Manila chapter, organizes a feeding club in Tondo, under a grant from Harvard University. Moreover, it provides facilities and a teacher for 150 preschoolers. The parents are taught to fund school maintenance and tutor the children.
Looking into the future, Zonta is training the youth through partner schools by forming the Z Club for high school students and Golden Z for college students.
“We want to start them young. They learn volunteerism,” says Ferry.
One of the young Zonta members converted her garage into a tutorial center for street children.
The youth also learn about caring for the environment. The livelihood programs teach teeners how to make dishwashing liquids and handmade soaps, which they can sell for additional income.
Ferry hopes that through the upcoming conference, members will learn more about the future of Zonta. She also hopes the Philippines will realize how the organization has been working quietly to strengthen women for making a better future. —CONTRIBUTED