The AWAVA team spent last week in Melbourne coordinating the 2013 Advisory Group Members’ Symposium. From Mon 12 – Wed 14 August, delegates contributed their expertise to lively discussions shaping the national agenda to prevent and eliminate gender-based violence. We heard exciting updates from our state and territory representatives. Also, we enjoyed highly informative sessions with guest speakers CEO of the White Ribbon Foundation Libby Davies and Emeritus Professor Anne Edwards, AO, from the National Centre of Excellence. It was a productive, meaningful and re-energising three days. Furthermore, it was an opportunity to celebrate our achievements and re-affirm our collective commitment to ending violence against women. We would like to thank everyone who was involved for their time and passion.
Importantly, we would also like to thank you, our readers, for the pivotal role you play in harnessing and amplifying the global effort to keep women and children safe.
As campaigning for the federal election intensifies, social commentary must commit itself to moving away from political rhetoric. As the election date edges closer, AWAVA remains aware that violence against women and children will cost the Australian economy $15.6 billion per year by 2021-2022 unless effective action is taken to prevent this violence. Violence against women and girls is both a cause and consequence of gender inequality in all sectors of society. Hence, it must be addressed by promoting women’s empowerment and listening to the diversity of their experiences with commitment, integrity and respect.
Attendees of the 2013 Advisory Group Members’ Symposium standing in solidarity to support the joint National Women’s Alliances Project – Women Vote 2013
Around the nation
- From Canberra, the National Women’s Alliance’s independent ‘how to vote’ videos for the Senate and House of Representatives have been translated into Greek, Italian, Arabic and Chinese as part of the Women Vote 2013 campaign, which encourages women to use their vote in an independent, informed and effective way
- The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse will hold a public hearing in Sydney on Monday 16 September 2013
- In Victoria, Disability Services and Reform Minister Mary Wooldridge announced a new initiative that “provides immediate access to funds to meet the disability support needs of women and children experiencing a family-violence crisis, enabling them to remain safe in their home or to access family-violence crisis accommodation” and among others, the Minister acknowledged the fantastic work of one of AWAVA’s member organisations, Women with Disabilities Australia
Around the world
- The International News Safety Institute launched a global survey into violence against female journalists and have invited all women working in the news media to participate
- In the Pacific Islands, 26 representatives from six Pacific Island countries came together in a five-day regional workshop to combat violence against women. Meeting on the International Day of Youth, attendees believe that empowering young people is a vital way to end the intergenerational cycle of violence in homes and communities across the Pacific region
- A new study found that in Papua New Guinea, 70% of women will be raped or physically assaulted in their lifetime
- In the USA, an article in the Journal of Women’s Health found that the best-selling novel ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’ actually perpetuates the problem of violence against women despite its promotion as a tale of erotic romance
Publications and Resources
- The Australian Domestic and Family Violence Clearinghouse has released a new paper called ‘Improving responses to refugees with backgrounds of multiple trauma’
Get Involved!
- The National Association for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (NAPCAN) will be coordinating National Child Protection Week 2013 running from 1-7 September 2013. Event registration is now open.
**Articles published do not necessarily reflect the views of AWAVA and are included as items of interest onl