Zonta Club of Miami Lakes raises awareness about trafficking of women, girls

The Zonta Club of Miami Lakes hung a banner outside Mary Collins Community Center to raise awareness about violence against women and human trafficking. Small dolls are attached to a long net with messages such as “silence is violence.” It also lists QR codes and phone numbers for women or girls in danger to reach the Domestic Violence Unit and Human Trafficking Task Force at the Miami-Dade State Attorney Office. Zonta member Rashida Mamujee was inspired by a similar display she saw in a town square in Genoa, Italy. “The Italians started this movement in four cities … to create an awareness,” Mamujee said during the town’s event on Dec. 12. She was inspired to make something similar because it aligned with the Zonta Club’s mission. The display was hung during the local chapter of the international non-profit’s 16 Days of Activism in December. That included staffing a table during the Festival of Lights to distribute literature. The group hosted the state attorney’s presentation on human trafficking on Dec. 3 at Miami Lakes Town Hall, where information about where to get help is also posted in restrooms. And the town’s website had a banner about the club’s activities. The Zonta Club of Miami Lakes meets at 6:30 p.m. on the fourth Thursday of each month at Trattoria Pampered Chef, 7347 Miami Lakes Drive. For information visit www.zontamiamilakesclub.org.

From left: Mayor Josh Dieguez; Esther Colon; Zonta International District 11 Governor Maria Crowley; Mayte Planas; Dorothy Alfano; Marie Korenstein; Anne Marie Little; Rashida Mamujee; Monica Reina; Vice Mayor Bryan Morera and Sally Whitman.