Today, on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, the Australian Women Against Violence Alliance is reflecting on Australia’s achievements and ongoing challenges in preventing male violence against women.
AWAVA stands in solidarity with those whose lives have been impacted by violence, with survivors who fight for justice and an end to violence, and with the individuals and organisations committed to preventing male violence against women and achieving gender equality.
We are heartened that there is finally a national dialogue on the issue of male violence against women and that this dialogue has placed gendered violence firmly on the political agenda. Further, we are encouraged by the improvements we have seen in the media’s response to this violence, by women’s use of social media to progress gender equality, and by the thousands of Australia women, and men, who work tirelessly to support survivors of violence, to challenge gender inequality, and to effect social change.
Yet, the impact of gender-based violence for Australian women, their families and their communities remains overwhelming. Across the country one in three women experience physical violence and one in five experience sexual violence since the age of 15. Almost one woman is killed by a partner or ex-partner each week. Women from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, Culturally and Linguistically Diverse communities and women with disabilities experience particularly high rates of violence.
It is obvious that, in spite of our collective efforts, not enough is being done to prevent male violence against women. Further, it is clear that the responsibility to address this violence falls on all of us.
If we are to genuinely address male violence against women we must come together as a community to demand action, we must challenge attitudes and institutions that normalise and justify violence and we must work together to build a society that has a zero tolerance to gender-based violence and inequality.
If we are to genuinely address male violence against women we must come together as a community to demand action, we must challenge attitudes and institutions that normalise and justify violence and we must work together to build a society that has a zero tolerance to gender-based violence and inequality.
For comment:
Julie Oberin, Chair (email, 0419 539 346)
Sophie Hardefeldt, Program Manager (email, 0428 541 396)
