Zonta Club of Devonport Inc hosts “Walk the Talk” event

Despite a last-minute venue change due to weather, the Zonta Club of Devonport Inc, Australia, successfully hosted its “Walk the Talk” event, drawing approximately 100 attendees, including a strong male representation in support of gender equality and women’s rights.

A powerful highlight of the event was a martial arts board-breaking demonstration, where 64 boards were broken by women, symbolizing the 64 lives lost to violence in the past year. The visual representation deeply resonated with attendees, with many expressing that the staggering statistic became more real through the demonstration. Participants described the experience as empowering and transformative.

The event’s keynote speaker, Chantelle from Engender Equality, delivered an emotionally charged speech, urging men to step up and challenge disrespectful behaviors toward women. She emphasized the importance of teaching respect from an early age and called on men to influence others to create a more equitable society. Speaking candidly about her personal journey, Chantelle’s message left a lasting impact on the audience, marking the first—but likely not the last—time she shared her story in this way.

The event also served as a fundraiser for a local women’s shelter, reinforcing the club’s commitment to supporting survivors and advocating for change. Attendees left with a renewed sense of purpose, making the day a profound success despite the initial weather challenges.