Today marks the beginning of this year’s 16 Days of Activism campaign, an annual, global movement, established by the United Nations to raise awareness and encourage communities to take action to end violence against women.
The theme of this year’s campaign against gender-based violence is ‘Preventing Violence Against Women is Everybody’s Business: Let’s Call it Out Everywhere’, concluding on December 10 – International Human Rights Day.
All people have a right to live free from violence. Despite this, on average one woman a week is murdered by her current or former partner in Australia, with one in three women experiencing physical violence perpetrated by a male partner since the age of 15. In addition, one in five women aged 15, and over, has experienced sexual violence.
In 2020, Mount Alexander experienced the 67th-highest rate of reported intimate partner violence against females in Victoria and Macedon Ranges the 58th highest, with an increase of 14.1 per cent of reported incidents compared to 2016.
Women’s Health Loddon Mallee (WHLM) CEO Tricia Currie said ending violence against women is everybody’s business.
“We all have a responsibility to call out the gendered drivers of violence everywhere, including in media and politics, online, in our homes and workplaces, in our relationships, on the street, in our schools, TAFEs, and universities, and in our faith settings. Everyone deserves to be able to participate in community and family life without fear of gendered harassment, violence, or abuse,” Ms Currie said.
“Ending violence against women starts with calling out gender inequality, sexism, harassment, and abuse when we see it. By calling it out we can all start to make a difference in challenging the attitudes and behaviours that drive gendered violence.”
There are a number of ways to get involved with this year’s 16 Days of Activism including; wearing orange to show support and help raise awareness of family violence, listening to MainFM (94.9) for in-depth discussions, interviews, and commentary on the themes of 16 Days of Activism, centred around preventing violence against women.
Local residents can visit the Northern Arts Hotel to see a light installation created by local artist Jim Coad or if you’re a truck enthusiast you can view the orange Mount Alexander Shire Council truck in the Rotary Truck Show Convoy on Sunday, November 27.
Join a conversation with Dr Balawyn Jones who will discuss and answer questions about domestic and family violence in modern Australia (bookings via: whlm.org.au/events/ ) or sign up for the virtual Walk Against Family Violence by visiting www.safesteps.org.au/2021-wafv or in person at Trentham, Daylesford, Creswick, and Clunes meeting at the library in each town at 3.30pm today, Friday, November 25.
WHLM has created a toolkit full of resources, including ways to respond to backlash and resistance to the campaign, to access the toolkit visit: whlm.org.au/16-days-of-activism-against-gender-based-violence-2022/.
WHLM is also hosting a series of online events including Gender in the Early Years Workshop and Redefining Masculinity with Matt Brown on December 6. For more information visit: whlm.org.au/events/
If you or someone you know is impacted by family violence, please contact 1800RESPECT at 1800 737 732.