Hundreds march for justice

HUNDREDS of women took to the streets and raised their voices in Torquay and Geelong on Monday this week as part of the national March 4 Justice rallies.

The black-clad movement is calling on all politicians to address and put an end to the issues of sexism, misogyny, dangerous workplace cultures and lack of equality in politics and the community at large.

In Torquay, about 200 people gathered at Cosy Corner to spell out the word JUSTICE on the sand at the Surf Coast March 4 Justice rally.

Speaking to the crowd, local organiser Laura Connor acknowledged “how incredibly difficult the conversation has been lately and always” for survivors of sexual assault.

“The time for change has come about over the seasons when women from all walks of life put aside their differences – postcodes, political persuasions, religions – to come together and raise a collective voice and that is what will make a cultural change in our society,” she said.

“I feel today is one of those days where we will mark the beginning of a cultural change in our country.

“Our collective voice can hold the federal parliament and all politicians to account.”

In Geelong, at least 1,000 people marched from Geelong Trades Hall to the Little Malop Street Mall for speeches, including from Geelong Labor MP Christine Couzens, and then to the office of Victorian Liberal Senator Sarah Henderson.

Senator Henderson was not in her office, however, but was one of a small number of Coalition MPs to listen to the speeches at Australia’s biggest March 4 Justice rally outside Parliament House in Canberra.

Corio Labor federal member Richard Marles and Corangamite Labor federal member Libby Coker also attended the Canberra rally, as did Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese.

March 4 Justice is calling on the federal government to take four immediate actions:

• A full independent investigation into all cases of gendered violence and timely referrals to appropriate authorities, with full public accountability for findings
• Fully implement the 55 recommendations in the Australian Human Rights Commission’s Respect@Work report of the National Inquiry into Sexual Harassment in Australian Workplaces 2020
• Lift public funding for gendered violence prevention to world’s best practice, and
• The enactment of a federal Gender Equality Act to promote gender equality, which should include a gender equity audit of Parliamentary practices.

In a statement, Women’s Health and Wellbeing Barwon South West said the past month had been “a distressing time” for women.

“The brave disclosure by Brittany Higgins of her alleged rape within Parliament House, followed by several further disclosures of gendered violence, has rocked confidence in the safety of the Australian Parliament and its ability to make laws in the best interests of women, particularly survivors of violence,” the statement said.

“These events are not isolated incidents. Over the last decade, there have been too many examples of the Australian Parliament falling short of expectations in the community, with high profile incidents of sexual harassment, gender-based bullying and a toxic culture working against the election, participation and advancement of women.

“Enough is enough. Today’s March4Justice brings tens of thousands of women together right across Australia calling for change. Women’s Health and Wellbeing Barwon South West stand with these women. As the regional leader in advancing gender equality and the prevention of violence against women before it occurs – we call for an end to the silence and an end to the violence.”