“Stop killing women”: Rally demands action on gendered violence

THE community will take to the streets next week to demand meaningful action to end violence against women, as part of a series of rallies taking place simultaneously across the country.

The demonstration has been organised by Australian Femicide Watch, an initiative of award-winning journalist Sherele Moody, who has been documenting the killing of women and children since 2015.

“12 women have been killed in 2025,” she said.

“Last year, I documented the unlawful deaths of 101 Australian women.

“One woman killed is one too many – 113 in 14 months in Australia’s shame, an epidemic and clear and disturbing evidence of violence increasing in our society.”

Locally, a rally will take place on March 15 at Market Square Mall on Little Malop Street from 10.30am.

It aims to bring together people from all walks of life to call on both the state and federal government to commit to meaningful action to combat violence against women.

“We will continue pressuring political candidates and parties to take a stand against femicide, domestic violence, sexual assault, harassment, and all forms of gender-based violence,” Moody said.

“The goal is to unite all Australians in the fight to end misogyny and ensure safety for every woman, everywhere.”

Sarah Hathway, who is a member of the committee co-ordinating the Geelong rally, said previous government pledges to take action had not put a stop to violence against women.

“Despite politicians at all levels perhaps sounding like they’re saying the right things or taking it seriously, women are still dying.

“Like most social change, I don’t think anything happens by asking nicely or lobbying politicians.

“Change comes when we mobilise and get active and organise, and… we know we’ll have a greater impacted the more numbers we have.”

The rally comes almost one year after more than 2,000 people gathered in Geelong’s CBD to call for an end to violence against women, as part of a similar nationwide demonstration that saw Prime Minister Anthony Albanese label gender-based violence a “national crisis”.

For more information, head to the Red Heart Campaign’s Facebook page.