We hope you all had a nice, relaxing and safe mini-break over the long weekend, and it’s another short week, and another short round-up! Don’t forget there are plenty of events happening around the country, with new listings all the time – scroll to the end of this post for more details
Around the Nation
- The Victorian Women’s Trust has posted a summary of its Storming Against Violence week of action here
- Rhonda Cumberland says that forced marriage is a hidden problem in Australia that must be addressed
- The UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women, Dr Rashida Manjoo, attended the first roundtables in Sydney, including one for immigrant and refugee women; and spoke at the reception held by UN Women on 10 April. The UN Special Rapporteur’s study tour continues until 20 April
And Internationally
- In the UK experts warn against criminalising forced marriage
- And finally, Eve Ensler calls on us all to DANCE to end Violence Against Women
]
AWAVA have been busy supporting our local and international sisters in a number of campaigns to end Violence Against Women. Click on the links below to see the petitions AWAVA have signed, and to add your signature!
- Change.org campaign urges the NRL to impose a one season ban on players convicted of violence against women. This petition only takes 3 minutes to read and complete and could make a measurable difference, not just in the NRL, but in organisations generally
- Many of you will have read about Amina Filali, the 16 year old Morrocan girl who killed herself after being forced to marry her rapist. If you haven’t already, click here to sign the petition to pressure the Morrocan government to change the law that allows this to happen
- Click here to join the call to protect workers who experience Domestic and Family Violence
Dont’ Forget!
Upcoming Events
There is still time to register for these events
- NEW!!! Griffith University Domestic Violence Symposium on 3 May
- The Australian Women’s Coalition is calling young women between 18 – 30 years who live, study or work in Auburn, Bankstown, Liverpool or Coffs Harbour NSW, or in Canberra, ACT to be a part of SHOUT! A series of three free workshops will run in each location, complemented by an online network of support and skills-sharing and a local network of participants and AWC member organisations. The workshops will culminate in community events on Harmony Day next year, 21 March 2013. Find out more here
- Dont forget the Association of Women Educators conference being held in July 2012 – for details and registration click here
- Preventing and responding to violence against women: Issues, challenges and best practice to be held in Adelaide (South Australia) on 15 June 2012
- The No To Violence conference will be held in November 2012
- The 7th Womens Health Conference will be held in Sydney in 2013