Yellowstone County Commissioners passed a resolution against “gender violence” and to declare “16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence”, at their Tuesday board meeting.
Each year, for a number of years, Zonta Club of Billings has brought forth the resolution in the quest to reduce violence against women, which is just as much a problem in Yellowstone County as anywhere else in the nation, pointed out Renee Coppock on behalf of Zonta. A number of Zonta Club members were in attendance at the meeting wearing orange, which is the official color to bring awareness around the world, to the global agenda campaign of the United Nations.
16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence begins on November 25, the International Day to Eliminate Violence Against Women, and ends on December 10, International Human Rights Day.
In speaking before commissioners, Coppock stated that the awareness campaign is aimed at getting stricter laws regarding gender violence and human trafficking, and to encourage stricter enforcement of the laws. Also, said Coppock, nothing will fundamentally change unless there is more education in grade schools that teaches students that “violence is never ok.”
“Perpetrators must know that there is severe consequences,” said Coppock, pointing out that about a third of violent incidents involve children.
Violence against women is the leading cause of death among women in the US, she said.
Zonta has been concerned about the issue of violence against women for 100 years, “and the job is still not done,” said Coppock, calling the worldwide situation a “pandemic”
The proclamation cited that the violence costs the nation billions of dollars “annually, in medical expenses, police and court costs, shelters and foster care, sick leave, absenteeism and non-productivity.”
The resolution concludes, “…we, the citizens of Yellowstone County, support efforts of individuals and join organizations such as the Zonta Club of Billings, to raise awareness, stimulate discussion, and advocate for local, and statewide solutions that will curb gender violence.”
