Kit released for anti-violence campaign

GROUPS, individuals, and organisations are being encouraged to get behind Women’s Health Loddon Mallee’s sixteen days of activism against gender-based violence campaign.

The organisation has released a regional 16 days toolkit, which includes tips and tools on how to get involved, as well as campaign materials and relevant data on violence in the 10 municipalities in the Loddon Mallee region.

WHLM health promotion manager Belinda Buck said everyone has a role to play in preventing violence against women.

“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,” she said.

“Everyone deserves to be able to participate in community and family life without fear of gendered harassment, violence, or abuse.

“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.”

The campaign begins on 25 November and is designed to keep a continuing conversation about preventing gender-based violence.

According to Our Watch research, an average of one woman is murdered by her current or former partner in Australia, and one in three women has experienced physical violence from a male partner since the age of 15.

One in five women aged 15 and over have experienced sexual violence.

Over the 16 days of activism, WHLM will host online discussions and learning opportunities. To download the toolkit, visit bit.ly/3S5I9X6.