Say No to Violence Against Women event in Skopje -- ORANGE DAY -- with Zonta and the State University of Tetovo and the Organization of Women of the City of Skopje

As a part of the effort of my students in my "Democracy and Civil Society" class at the State University in Tetovo - we teamed up with the Zonta Club Skopje, Zonta Club Pinellas (Florida, USA), and the University of South Florida St. Petersburg Center for Civic Engagement, to organize events in

--Tetovo -- with US Peace Corps Volunteer Maria and the Forumi Gruas (Women's Center) in Tetovo. (See this blog post for more about the Tetovo #OrangeDay event: Tetovo Orange Day event

 --Skopje -- with the President of the Organization of Women in the City of Skopje and the State University of Tetovo Skopje campus professor Gjylia Celiku and her students

to draw attention for the need to Say No to Violence Against Women and Girls.

We were a group of Macedonians, ethnic Albanians, and Americans - all united in promoting women's rights.  (You will see our signs, literature, and t-shirts are in all three languages.)

This campaign is part of a global campaign to raise awareness -- Orange the World -- started by the UN Secretary General to raise awareness and to inspire others to take action. The 25th of every month has been designated as Orange Day.  We celebrated a bit early - so we could include students before they leave for the summer.  Here is more from the UN about Orange Day: http://endviolence.un.org/orangeday.shtml

The President of the Organization of Women in Skopje, Tomka, participated in our event. She and colleagues worked to create the first shelter center for women in Macedonia and the first hotline - SOS number that operates 24/7:

SOS hotline:  15-700

Here is a brochure, with more information about the resources available here in Tetovo:

Here is the Zonta Skopje facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/zontaclubskopje/?ref=br_rs

Zonta Club Skopje President Lolita, Professor Gjylia and her students from the State University in Tetovo, the President of the Organization of the Women of Skopje Tomka, and others participated in a visibility outside the Trend Cafe at CityMall.

thanks to Professor Gjylia and her students from the State University of Tetovo Skopje campus  for being such a big part of our event!

with my dear friend Aneta - brilliant engineer, successful entrepreneur, and civic leader

students from the State University of Tetovo Skopje campus, along with Maki, the wife of the Rector of SUT

also joined by Marina, professor at the University American College Skopje

thanks to the staff at the Trend Cafe for your support

the founder of the first shelter for women and first SOS hotline number in Macedonia, Tomka, and Professor Gjylia

with Aneta and Lolita (the Zonta Club Skopje President)

after the event - we enjoyed refreshments at the Trend Cafe

From the UNiTE to End Violence Against Women website:

"The 25th of every month has been designated “Orange Day” by the United Nations Secretary-General’s Campaign UNiTE to End Violence against Women, to raise awareness and take action to end violence against women and girls. As a bright and optimistic colour, orange represents a future free from violence against women and girls for the UNiTE Campaign. Orange Day calls upon civil society, governments, and UN partners to mobilize people and highlight issues relevant to preventing and ending violence against women and girls, not only once a year on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women (25 November), but every month."