The first month of 2013 is almost over, and it feels like only yesterday we were wishing each other Happy New Year! Lots of news from around the world and around the country this week, and a few new ways that you can get involved in making a difference
Around Australia
- Shakira Hussein asks for a universally-accepted entitlement to live in safety in this New Matilda article
- Dr Jasmine Chen, Multi-Cultural Centre for Women’s Health, Melbourne, wants better understanding of the many aspects of Female Genital Mutilation
- If you’re in Melbourne/surrounds watch channel 31 for a new series that explores the different forms of women’s oppression globally, starting 4 February
- ACT Young Australian of the Year winner calls for more to be done to end violence against women
- HACSU (Health and Community Services Union, Tasmania) announce an historical moment with a recently negotiated workplace agreement including a domestic and family violence clause
- This article looks at sexual, domestic and family violence in Aboriginal communities, and the barriers to reporting that many women face
Internationally
- The UN reports that rape is being used as a weapon of war as the crisis in Mali continues
- Welcome news in Morrocco as lawmakers remove laws from the penal code which force victims/survivors of rape to marry their rapists
- The UK calls on the international community to end violence against women
One Billion Rising
- Find out what is happening in Melbourne and how you can be involved
- If you’re in Sydney here is how you can join in
Reports and Resources
New Resources
- A new report from the UK provides an International Overview of Sexual Violence Services
- Family Law Matters Australia have recently launched the website Family Law Network Australia. The website is a free information resource and referral service for family law matters
Get Involved!
- Are you a young woman wanting your voice to be heard at CSW57? Complete this survey and make sure you have your say
- Sign the Global Fund for Women’s petition on ending rape and for Heads of State to take action at CSW57
- Take part in the UN Working Group on Discrimination Against Women’s Survey on Discrimination Against Women in Economic and Social Life by 1 March
- Senator Louise Pratt is asking for organisation™s views on Gender Equality in the Workplace – give your views by 29 January
Upcoming Events
January 2013
- Closing date extended until 31 January 2013 Still time to submit your abstracts for the Stand-Up! Eliminating All Forms of Violence Against CALD Women national conference, 28-30 April, Canberra
February
- Calls for papers close 5 February – 13-15 May The White Ribbon International Conference, Sydney
- 18- 20 February: The National Rural Women’s Coalition (NRWC)’s inaugural Conference, Canberra
- 20 February: Launch of We Will Not Go Quietly – zine by and for sexual assault survivors, 6.30pm-8.00pm, Melbourne, RSVP by 11 February 2013
- 27 Febuary: Getting Safe Against the Odds – Family violence and women with a disability – Training for workers who are currently working in the family violence sector to gain a better understanding of the context and experiences of women with disabilities who experience violence
March
- 7 March WIRE in Victoria present Understanding Financial Abuse in the context of Family Violence
- 21 March: 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, Find out more here
Later
- 11-12 April: Registration is now open for the Child Aware Approaches Conference, Melbourne
- 28-30 April: The Australian Migrant and Refugee Women’s Alliance (AMaRWA) will be holding a 2-day national conference: Stand Up! Eliminating All Forms of Violence Against CALD Women, supported by AWAVA
- ‘Miss Representation’ Screening Tour: Women in Film & Television (WIFT) NSW are planning a series of screenings of ‘Miss Representation’ across Australia in 2012/13. If you are interested in hosting a screening of this film in partnership with WIFT NSW please email them
- 25-28 August 8th Australasian Council of Women and Policing conference will be held in Adelaide . Calls for papers is currently open
Internationally:
- 4-15 March 2013: 57th Session of the Commission for the Status of Women (CSW57), New York, priority theme: Eliminating and prevention all forms of violence against women and girls