THE Zonta Club of Cebu 1 celebrates its 50 years of advocacy and service. The thrust for Biennium 2018-2020? The advocacy against child marriage and teenage pregnancy.

On Nov. 8, we had the twin celebration of 100 years of Zonta International and 50 years of Zonta Club Cebu 1. We had a Thanksgiving Mass at St. Therese Parish, the launch and motorcade of the Centennial sticker and the Opening Salvo at Ayala Center Cebu, which presented the Advocacy Caravan of avoiding child marriage and teenage pregnancy, and learning how to cope with related crises. The event was spearheaded by Area 3 director Stella Bernabe and Zonta Cebu 1 president Minnie Yuvienco. Zonta 1 is taking positive steps to avoid the roots and consequences of child marriages and teenage pregnancies, two related global concerns, through seminars and information networking.

The long-term programs of Zonta Cebu 1 are integrated projects in education; young women leadership through Z Club and value formation in partnership with Benedicto College and Tulay National High School; referral access in the Violence Against Women Center in Banilad; health and nutrition with partners Sweet Alert and Pink Center; livelihood projects in Budlaan; training talents in theater and music at Barangay Kamagayan with the University of San Jose-Recoletos Mass Communication department and a community-based play at Cebu Normal University.

An extensive information networking, through the PR and Information and Linkages, includes the Advocacy Caravan on child marriage and teenage pregnancy. This will go to schools and selected barangays in Cebu City and the 47 municipalities of Cebu Province. Tri-media and social networking are active partners.

On Nov. 27 , the 16 days of activism will start with a play at Cebu Normal University; followed by a symposium on Dec. 10, at the USJ-R Coliseum. More to follow.

The event on Nov. 29 will focus on poster exhibits and Zonta Legends: Hall of Fame of past presidents/projects, and the formal presentation of “Advocacy Caravan: Children: Our Future” at the Cebu Country Club.