Child marriage and teenage pregnancy

The Zonta Club of Cebu 1 celebrates its 50 years of advocacy and service. The thrust for Biennium 20182020? 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.

GROUP. The pioneer and new members of Zonta Club of Cebu 1.

MOVE. The Zontians in full force in the inauguration of their home office at Avenir. At right: The VAW (Violence Against Women) Referral Center at the University of Visayas-Banilad.

WORK. The micro-financing and livelihood projects in Budlaan with chairperson Janice Minor. At right: the Adopt-A-School Project at Tulay National High School, with learning skills and value formation, in partnership with Benedicto College and Z Club. Shown here are chairpersons Zontians Rufina Tanchan and Matt Baguia.

EARLY PROJECTS. The Capitol and Ermita Day Care 1 and 2; Pink Center with livelihood activities; pre-school and feeding activities.

HONOR. The Zontians’ past presidents paid tribute to their founding president, Dr. Zuga Sotto Yuvienco, with guest Cebu Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale.

TALK. As early as 2011, Zonta 1 invited speaker lawyer Katrina Legarda, who spoke on “Sexual Exploitation” at Benedicto College and the University of San Jose-Recoletos before some 2,000 students.

FOUNDER and charter president of Zonta Club of Cebu 1 Dr. Suga Yuvienco and the current (returning) president, daughter Minnie Yuvienco.