Days aimed at preventing violence against women

TODAY Is the United Nations’ International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women which starts the annual Sixteen Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.

City of Ballarat deputy mayor Cr Amy Johnson said the municipality will be acknowledging the 16 days with initiatives and events later today, and throughout the two weeks, with the key message being ‘respect women, call it out.’

“That encourages people to go from potentially just hearing sexist or derogatory language in regard to women and not saying anything, to actually take steps to show that they don’t approve or support that kind of language in regard to women,” she said.

“Some of the strategies, if you’re not comfortable directly saying that’s not okay, include leaving an awkward silence, making a joke in response about how outdated those views are, giving a disapproving look, or leaving the room.

“It’s important people in the community know being disrespectful toward women based on their gender is completely unacceptable and we know that there’s evidence that shows that these views… can often manifest in the long term in disrespectful relationships, and potentially physical violence against women.”

This afternoon, a panel discussion will be hosted by the City at the Robert Clark Centre at the Ballarat Botanical Gardens, from 3pm to 5pm.

Speakers will include Women’s Health Grampians’ Rose Durey, Hawthorn Football Club’s Kaitlyn Ashmore, Tiny Pride’s Ange Elson, Gunditjmara woman Sissy Austin, and A Pot of Courage founder Shiree Pilkinton, with Cafs’ diversity lead Liz Hardiman leading the conversation.

“A Pot of Courage was born out of a prevention of violence against women project,” Ms Pilkinton said.

“To be part of this panel means I can also contribute the perspective that it’s important to continue to educate and raise awareness for women and the multicultural communities.

“I want to also talk about the value of a community approach. The more we help people feel like they belong here and that they have people that are going to look after them, that helps in terms of people making the right connections to get the support they need.”

This evening, the Zonta Club of Ballarat’s Twilight Walk marking the international day will begin at 5.30pm with speeches at View Point, Lake Wendouree, and the town hall clock and the lake fountain will be lit up.

Throughout the 16 Days of Activism, cafes across the city will serve takeaway coffees with an orange message attached about respecting women and calling out sexist behaviour.

Ms Johnson said Ballarat has higher family violence rates than the State average, and metropolitan Melbourne. One woman a week is murdered by their partner or ex-partner in Australia.