16 Days of Action Against Gender Based Violence

International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Girls is 25 November and it marks the beginning of the global campaign, 16 Days of Action Against Gender Based Violence, which ends on 10 December, International Human Rights Day.

The 2021-22 Personal Safety Survey (PSS) released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reveals 1 in 6 women experienced partner violence (17 per cent or 1.7 million women).

Just over 1 in 4 women experienced partner violence or abuse (27 percent or 2.7 million women).

And 1 in 6 women experienced partner economic abuse (16 per cent or 1.6 million women).

The survey found that financial stress was associated with experiencing partner violence and abuse for women.

“Women living in households with one or more cash flow problems were more likely to have experienced partner violence or abuse in the previous two years than those in households that didn’t have cash flow problems,” said Will Milne, ABS head of crime and justice statistics.

This year the IEU has supported the Victorian Trades Hall Council (VTHC) campaign to end the misuse of non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) in cases of workplace sexual harassment. Activists across Victoria are participating in a 16 Days to End NDAs workplace blitz to support this campaign.

Here are three ways you can get involved in this crucial campaign:

16 Days events

Friday 24 November Walk Against Family Violence

10.30am, Parliament House

Stand in solidarity with victim survivors.

Now in its 15th year, the annual Walk Against Family Violence aims to raise awareness of preventing and eliminating violence against women and girls. Thousands of Victorians will come together to stand in solidarity with victim survivors and walk towards a future where every woman is safe, equal, and respected.  

The event is supported by Respect Victoria and features individuals and organisations which support victim survivors and help prevent family violence.

Comrades and Commissioners at Trades Hall, December 4

At the special VTHC Feminism at the Hall discussion Comrades and Commissioners, you’ll hear about the work our Commissioners are doing to promote gender equality and for the elimination of violence against women, children, and gender diverse people. And we'll hear what we can do together in our workplaces and communities to end gender-based violence. 

The very special guests include:

• Micaela Cronin, Federal Commissioner for Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence

• Dr. Niki Vincent, Victorian Public Sector Gender Equality Commissioner

• Ro Allen, Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commissioner

Take this end of year opportunity to celebrate the struggles and wins union women have had in 2023 and look towards a powerful 2024!

Please arrive at 6:00pm for a 6:30pm start. Lights drinks and snacks provided. All welcome. Registration essential.

WHEN

December 04, 2023, at 6:00pm - 8pm

WHERE

Solidarity Hall, Victorian Trades Hall Council
54 Victoria St
Carlton, VIC 3053
Australia

CONTACT

Kristy Steele: women@vthc.org.au

Run your own event

Host a workplace or community meeting to talk about ending the misuse of NDAs before Sunday 10 December.

Activist packs are available for free from the Trades Hall shop in Carlton and online. They contain 20 postcards, an NDA conversation guide and a checklist and we will enable you to run a session in your workplace.

Follow these easy steps:

1. Order a free 16 Days Activist Pack (Limit of three (3) packs per person or email women@vthc.org.au to arrange in bulk.)

2. Host a workplace or community meeting to talk about ending the misuse of NDAs before Sunday 10 December.

3. Get a group photo with participants at your meeting holding their signed postcards. Email it to women@vthc.org.au and share with @union_women on social media.

4. Collect signed postcards back from participants at your meeting and send them together to VTHC using the reply paid envelope.

5. Congratulate yourself and your group for taking action with a movement of union women to end the misuse of NDAs!

16 Days activism pack, free from the Trades Hall shop.