Wonderful Dating
Zonta International and the Federation of Mother and Child Homes and Shelters (ETKL) have signed a ten-year framework agreement in November 2024. Its purpose is to raise awareness of domestic violence and work to eliminate it.
The agreement now signed aims to make the work to combat violence against women more effective and long-term. Together, Zonta and ETKL can find new ways to tackle violence against women and girls.
The first joint campaign is the Wonderful Dating (Ihana seurustelu), which aims to eliminate or at least reduce violence experienced by young people in dating relationships. The goal is for every young person to be able to date safely.
Zontas raise funds for the project by organising events and functions and directing the proceeds to the Wonderful Dating project. With these funds, we enable ETKL to train professionals in schools. The tools and methods aimed at professionals have been developed based on the needs of young people and in collaboration with young people and professionals.
The joint goal of Zontia and the Federation of Mother and Child Homes and Shelters (ETKL) is to provide young people with accurate information and support in their first romantic relationships. This is preventive work that explains what is acceptable in a relationship, what constitutes dating violence and where to find support in problematic situations. Recognising dating violence is difficult, and communicating about the phenomenon is important.
ETKL has completed a discussion tool, Dating Safety 10 (Seurustelun Turva10). It is aimed at school professionals. Both funding and action are needed to promote the use of Dating Safety 10 (Seurustelun Turva10).
Zontas are supporting work to combat dating violence, the funding for which will end in a year’s time. This fundraising project is collecting money to ensure that the best tools and operating models from ongoing projects can continue to be shared.
Objective
ETKL’s goal is to work with Zonta to launch Dating Safety 10 (Seurustelun Turva10) in approximately 50 schools by spring 2027.
The dating violence project is seen as a good continuation of the campaign against digital bullying. The Ihana seurustelu project will run for two years, from 2025 to 2027. The goal is to raise €20,000 per year for two years.
Read more about dating violence and how to prevent it on the ETKL website.
https://ensijaturvakotienliitto.fi/meista-etkl/hankkeet/ > Supporters of non-violence 2025–2026
Event in May: https://ensijaturvakotienliitto.fi/tapahtumat/seurustelufoorumi/