Called to action: be more than a bystander

A WOMEN’S health service is seeking community support in its mission to empower people to call out gender-based inequality and violence.

Through its Active Bystander Training, Women’s Health Loddon Mallee is aiming to make it ‘everybody’s business’ in fostering safe and inclusive communities for women and girls.

“Everyone deserves to be able to participate in community and family life without fear of gendered harassment, violence, or abuse,” said Belinda Buck, WHLM health promotion manager.

“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.”

Ms Buck said without bystander action, the community risks encouraging sexist and disrespectful behaviour and attitudes by doing nothing.

She also said positive change can be as simple as using body language like a pointed stare or head shake when someone makes comments that are inappropriate to another, or supporting another person who calls out sexism.

“Ending violence against women starts with being an active bystander and calling out gender inequality, sexism, harassment, and abuse when we see it,” she said.

“By calling it out we can all start to make a difference in challenging the attitudes and behaviours that drive gendered violence.”

WHLM offer a range of training packages open to the community groups and organisations that promote gender equality and the primary prevention of violence against women.

They include an upcoming 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence between 25 November and 10 December.

For more information visit whlm.org.au.