Partnership to drive gender equality and violence prevention

June 11, 2024 BY Angus Smith

L-R: Borough of Queenscliffe chief executive Martin Gill, South West TAFE chief executive Mark Fidge, Western Victoria Primary Health Network Katrina Martin, Wannon Water managing director Andrew Jeffers, Women's Health and Wellbeing Barwon South West chief executive Jodie Hill, South West Sport executive officer Marc Tims, Barwon South West Public Health Unit Lyn Quick, SAFV Centre executive manager of strategy and impact Katie Wright, Brophy Family and Youth Services executive manager of youth services Cate Keane, Corangamite Shire Council director of sustainable development Justine Linley, City of Greater Geelong executive director of corporate services Troy Edwards. Photo: SUPPLIED

LEADERS from various sectors across the Barwon South West region have joined forces in a new partnership, Respect 2040, aimed at advancing gender equality and preventing violence against women.

The inaugural Respect 2040 executive governance group met for the first time last week and includes 12 organisations from education, government, sport, health and others services.

Women’s Health and Wellbeing Barwon South West chief executive officer Jodie Hill said the partnership signified progress.

“This collaboration represents a great step forward in our collective efforts to achieve gender equality and eliminate violence against women,” she said.

“By uniting forces, we can amplify our impact and create change that extends far beyond our individual capacities.”

Borough of Queenscliffe CEO Martin Gill said the borough was committed to playing its part in advancing gender equality.

“We commit to actively progressing gender equality in our work, our policies, programs and services, and our service delivery to the community.”

City of Greater Geelong director of corporate services Troy Edwards said it was all about shared responsibility.

“Respect 2040 is all about shared leadership, bringing together leading organisations from across the Barwon South West region to reduce gender inequality and create a future free from violence for all women.”

Women’s Health and Wellbeing Barwon South West is coordinating the partnership, which comprises the Barwon South West Public Health Unit, Borough of Queenscliffe, Brophy Family and Youth Services, City of Greater Geelong, Corangamite Shire Council, Sexual and Family Violence Centre, South West Sport, South West TAFE, Wannon Water, Warrnambool East Primary School, and the Western Victoria Public Health Network.

Ms Hill invited other organisations that wanted to play their part to join the group.

“This partnership enables us to expand our reach and implement innovative strategies that address the root causes of gender inequality and promote positive, respectful relationships,” she said.