By CASEY NEILL
GENDER-BASED violence will spend 16 days in the spotlight in Dandenong.
Southern Melbourne Integrated Family Violence Partnership will start #16DaysDandy on International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women – 25 November – and wrap it up on International Human Rights Day on 10 December.
Posters around Dandenong will bear three key messages:
“All things being equal, there would be no violence against women.”
“Human Rights are Women’s Rights too.”
“Why doesn’t she leave? Why doesn’t he stop? No excuses.”
The ‘why doesn’t she leave’ message will also appear on 3000 takeaway coffee cups at Dandenong cafes.
A social media campaign will support the cause and a community stall at Dandenong Market on 4 December will also reach out to the community.
The partnership has donated picture books challenging gender stereotypes to Casey and Cardinia libraries, like My Princess Boy and Belinda the Ninja Ballerina.
A workshop on 26 November will explore how to tackle violence against women and discuss overcoming feelings of isolation, vulnerability and disengagement.
Part of the partnership is Women’s Health in the South East (WHISE).
WHISE CEO Susan Glasgow said the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence Campaign would particularly focus on the Dandenong area.
“When you look at the statistics we’re one of the highest figures for family violence in Victoria,” she said.
“There are a number of particular elements to what happens in Dandenong, not least, of course, is different cultural perspectives.”
Ms Glasgow said the focus was slightly different to the White Ribbon campaign.
“White ribbon is the men leading the process,” she said.
“This is talking about gender-based violence, which means that we’re taking on the role of raising awareness about those violence-based incidents.”
Visit http://thndr.me/hvLbNh to get involved.
If you need help contact Safe Steps Family Violence Response Centre on 1800 015 188 or via www.safesteps.org.au.
