Respect Victoria and Safe and Equal are thrilled to partner on the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence campaign in Victoria, supporting more than 100 community events and initiatives across the state.
Kicking off on Friday 25 November, the campaign encourages individuals, families, and communities to lead with respect and take small steps towards equality to help prevent violence against women.
“The 16 Days of Activism is a platform to call for change, and to remind us all that preventing violence starts with changing the culture that allows it to happen,” said Respect Victoria CEO Emily Maguire. “Violence against women is preventable, and it’s a challenge that belongs to all of us.”
“We will never eliminate family and gender-based violence unless we address the attitudes and behaviours that allow this violence to thrive – this is where prevention is key,” said Safe and Equal CEO Tania Farha.
From Bendigo to Sunbury, Mildura to Whittlesea, organisations, community groups and councils are getting involved from across Victoria to take a stand against violence.
On the agenda are conversations that cover topics like men and masculinity and women in sport, art installations designed by young people that focus on gender equality, events for kids and families centred around respect and equality, and health education sessions.
“The diversity and breadth of events taking place this year is exciting and reflects just how important eliminating gender-based violence is to Victorians,” said Ms Farha.
“Engaging Victorian communities in these events highlight that we all have a significant role to play, that challenging and calling out gender inequality is everybody’s responsibility.”
“The 16 Days of Activism gives us all an opportunity to think about how we can take steps towards equality in our homes, relationships, workplaces and communities,” said Ms Maguire.
“This could look like talking to your kids about the gendered stereotypes they may face, choosing to have a chat with a mate if they make a sexist joke, or having an open conversation with your partner about how the housework is divided up,” said Ms Maguire.
The 16 Days of Activism campaign will run from Friday 25 November (International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women) and finish on Saturday 10 December (Human Rights Day).
Find a calendar of Victorian events, plus resources and toolkits for organisations and individuals on the Safe and Equal website.
Join us at the Walk Against Family Violence on Friday 25 November – walk in the city, or walk in your local area. Find out more and register on the Safe Steps website.
Watch 'Stories of Respect' campaign videos on Respect Victoria’s website which encourages men to work together to break down stereotypes about gender.