Wodonga Council is once again teaming up with local community organisation for the 16 Days of Activism.
The 16 Days of Activism against gender-based violence is a global campaign that raises awareness about violence against women and its impact on a woman’s physical, psychological, social and spiritual wellbeing.
The campaign will be marked in Wodonga by two weeks of events from November 25 to December 10, 2019.
The campaign aims to provide the opportunity for the community to learn more about violence against women as well as the underlying causes of men's violence including:
- Gender inequality
- Gender power imbalances
- Stereotypes and biases
- Negative attitudes towards women.
Wodonga Council through consultation with the community identified the prevention of family violence as a top priority.
Community Planning and Development Co-ordinator Nicole Weyandt said many in the community might be aware of the Reflect Respect campaign, however, there were many initiatives the council have supported and implemented.
"Wodonga has a prevention of family violence taskforce that works together to identify issues in the community," she said.
"This taskforce works to implement an action plan that focuses on workplaces and the education sector. Recent funding has allowed us to create the Balance for Better Business Program, which has three Wodonga workplaces assessing their workplace culture and policies.
"Each workplace will be developing their own gender equality strategy."
Ms Weyandt said Wodonga Council's enterprise agreement provided great support for staff to help achieve gender equity.
The council supports maternity and paternity leave, flexible working hours, leave entitlements for people experiencing family violence and breastfeeding breaks.
"Wodonga Council has a vested interest in preventing family violence from occurring in the first place – we believe everyone must work to challenge the harmful attitudes, beliefs and norms that support violence in the community," she said.
"I'd encourage community members to attend some of the year's 16 Days of Activism."
Program of events.
To see the full calendar of events, please click here.