Shire workshop marks White Ribbon Day

THE Surf Coast Shire Council marked White Ribbon Day last week with a breakfast and workshop raising awareness of factors which might influence men’s violence against women.

About 60 people attended the event at Kurrambee Myaring Community Centre for the interactive session on gender equity, led by facilitators from Women’s Health and Wellbeing Barwon South West.

Participants at the workshop – which included representatives from the Great Ocean Road Coast Committee, Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, Country Fire Authority and Surf Coast Secondary College – looked at how gender norms and stereotypes impact on men and women at key life stages, creating inequality that can lead to men’s violence against women.

The shire is an accredited White Ribbon workplace, and pioneered the provision of paid leave for staff enduring domestic violence.

Cr Martin Duke thanked participants at the breakfast for their commitment to making a difference, and reflected on stark realities.

“Today in Australia, intimate partner violence is the leading contributor to illness, disability and premature death for women aged 18 to 44,” he said.

“On average one woman a week is murdered by her current or former partner.

“These statistics make a horrifying national reality, and the Surf Coast is not immune.”

In 2017, 120 women on the Surf Coast reported incidents of violence from men.

Shire general manager of culture and community Chris Pike promised the efforts to prevent men’s violence would continue.

He announced that the council had received a $53,000 grant from the state government to deliver projects to build gender equality across the shire.

The projects will include the Baby Makes Three program, which provides first-time parents with skills and support in establishing equal and respectful relationships in the transition to being parents.