MITCHELL members of the international women’s organisation Zonta launched their 16 Days of Activism campaign by walking through Kilmore’s Hudson Park on Friday.
The message behind the walk and the posters featuring an orange woman aimed to spread their theme this year ‘From Awareness to Accountability.’
Zonta Club of Mitchell member Margaret Brissett said the first day of action was to raise awareness for the Mitchell Shire where rates of family violence were significantly high.
“We have a very high rate of domestic violence in the shire, and we would like to see that lowered,” she said.
Ms Brissett said a community walk had initially been planned for Seymour but was cancelled due to the floods, so Zonta members and friends staged a low-key event, and walked at their own pace.
Zonta members also approached several businesses to display orange ladies and posters in their windows.
Ms Brissett said the posters were used to spark conversations about the issue, in hope that customers will ask about the meaning behind the display.
“We just want to make people aware even if they just see the orange sign in the window and read what’s there,” she said.
“Whether they have a conversation or not, it’s in their mind.”
Ms Brissett said the campaign would be filled with a series of events and activities, including the annual art show and craft market at Broadford’s Gavan Hall on December 3 and 4, and a members-only morning tea at the park for Humans Right Day on December 10.
