Zonta Club and county officials commemorate Denim Day

The Zonta Club of Hilo joined forces with Hawaii County Mayor Harry Kim, the County Council and the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office to promote awareness of International Denim Day as part of Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

This year, Denim Day took place April 24.

The movement began in 1999 and was inspired by the women of the Italian Parliament, who wore jeans to work the day after an Italian High Court overturned the rape conviction of a 45-year-old man who sexually assaulted his 18-year-old driving student.

The court based its decision on the victim wearing tight jeans and “certainly it is impossible to pull them off if the victim is fighting her attacker with all her force,” determining that she helped the perpetrator remove her jeans, and by helping, the sexual act must have been consensual.

Kim issued a proclamation and Councilwoman Ashley Kierkiewicz introduced Resolution 143-19 during the April 24 County Council meeting in Kona to recognize all fourth Wednesday’s in April as Denim Day in Hawaii County.

The recognition by county government officials is meant to encourage all residents to make a social statement with their fashion statement, wearing jeans in solidarity with survivors and to take a stand against the destructive behaviors that perpetuate sexual violence.

In the era of the #MeToo movement, there is increasing awareness of the prevalence of sexual violence and the extent to which it is underreported. Demin Day exemplifies how our society can do more to promote respective behavior and how our justice system can better serve victims of sexual violence.

For more than a decade, the Zonta Club of Hilo has worked in partnership with the Prosecutor’s Office to promote Denim Day on Hawaii Island. The Hilo club is part of Zonta International, a leading global organization of professionals empowering women worldwide through service and advocacy projects.