General News
30 November, 2023
Together, we can make a difference - 16 Days of Activism
After a tragic year in Australia, where over 50 women were allegedly killed due to domestic violence, a local organisation is now stressing the importance of respect in preventing such incidents from occurring. The regional focus for this year’s...
After a tragic year in Australia, where over 50 women were allegedly killed due to domestic violence, a local organisation is now stressing the importance of respect in preventing such incidents from occurring.
The regional focus for this year’s 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is “Respect Women: Call it Out”, and is being spearheaded locally by the Women’s Health Loddon Mallee (WHLM).
Each year, the campaign is marked across the world from November 25 — the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, till December 10 — Human Rights Day.
This year, WHLM along with other organisations in Victoria, is adopting a strength-based approach to drive change instead of solely focusing on statistics.
“Everyone deserves to be safe, equal, and respected but family violence and violence against women continues to be prevalent in our region, and across Australia. This violence is driven by a culture that allows it to happen,” WHLM CEO Tricia Currie said.
“[Our theme] is aimed at encouraging and enabling communities and individuals to promote respect and equality and to call out disrespect, harassment, sexism, and gender inequality when they see it.
“While acknowledging the realities of the statistics, which reveal the high prevalence of violence against women in the region, WHLM recognises the strength in ongoing collective efforts to make real and long-lasting change.”
As of November 29, 56 women have tragically died in Australia because of gendered violence — additionally, 1 in 4 women and 1 in 14 men, have experienced physical and/or sexual violence from an intimate partner since the age of 15.
These numbers highlight a harrowing need for change, one that requires everyone to come together and according to Ms Currie, there are many ways the community can get involved.
“The statistics are even more sobering because we know these deaths are preventable,” she said.
“This 16-day campaign gives us opportunities to come together and ask for real social change that will see women, children, and gender diverse people able to live in communities where they are safe, supported, and respected.
“Respect is a value that we can all relate to, and we can all work together to uphold in the places where we live, work, and play, including in media and politics, online, in our homes and workplaces, in our relationships, on the street, in our schools, TAFEs and universities, sporting clubs and in our faith settings.”
Part of upholding respect, Ms Currie said, is calling out disrespect — when someone tells a sexist joke, people can challenge outdated stereotypes, championing gender equality in their relationships and communities.
“We can set an example of respectful behaviours for the younger generation and to each other. It’s everyday actions that pave the way for a more inclusive and respectful society,” she said.
“Preventing violence against women and family violence is long-term work. It’s something we can’t achieve alone, which is why we are encouraging everyone to get involved — to reflect on the value of respect and what it means to them.
“When we work from a place of respect, we can collectively work together to end gendered violence before it starts.”
Helping spread the same message in Maryborough, the Zonta Club of Central Goldfields is also working towards starting conversations around respect and domestic violence.
“In any relationship, respect is important,” the organisation’s president Joy Stephens-Jones said.
“It’s about listening, allowing people to be heard, expressing your needs but acknowledging other people’s needs as well in a positive way so it comes down to stopping and thinking how your actions or words can affect others.
“What we’re doing through the 16-days, with our activities, is getting conversations about these things started.”
Alongside Zonta’s signature flower bed in Phillips Gardens, which features the letter ‘R’ for respect, two ‘Zs’ indicating the group’s involvement and several Orange Ladies, representing victims of violence — Ms Stephens-Jones said the group is also setting up a nail-painting stall today on High Street, in front of St Vinnies.
“We will paint one fingernail orange and it’ll get the conversation going,” she said.
“It’s amazing when you’re down there, painting nails, because people come up to you and talk to you. I’ve had so many people say they’ve been impacted by domestic violence — they’re able to then share their story.
“Even the fact that they can say it out loud and talk about it seems to take some pressure off. It shows them that the community is standing behind, ready to support them.”
Adding to those systems of support in Maryborough, people affected by domestic violence can also reach out to the local Orange Door network — which is delivered in partnership with Anglicare Victoria.
“Organisations such as Anglicare Victoria help those directly affected by family violence, as well as men who choose to use it in the home to understand the consequences of this choice on their families and work with them to change their behaviour,” Anglicare Victoria regional development manager Meegan Stanley said.
“Violence can occur alongside substance or alcohol use, housing issues or financial stress, and Anglicare Victoria offers many other related programs that can work together to ease the pressure of all these factors.
“In a rural community like Maryborough, ongoing funding for family violence and related areas is essential to ensure continued help for vulnerable people at the point of crisis.”
Face-to-face, telephone and email support is available at The Orange Door Maryborough — for more information visit www.orangedoor .vic.gov.au or call 1800-512-359.
People can also walk in to the network’s local centre at 75 Clarendon Street, between Monday and Friday from 9 am to 5 pm.
To join and view activities happening as part of the 16 Days of Activism campaign visit www.16days.com.au
