Wodonga Council is once again teaming up with local community organisations for the 16 Days of Activism.
The 16 Days of Activism against gender-based violence is a global campaign that raises awareness about violence against women and its impact on a woman’s physical, psychological, social and spiritual wellbeing.
The campaign will be marked in Wodonga by two weeks of events from Friday, November 25 to Saturday, December 10.
Events range from a community gathering, two film screenings, a community vigil, and a community roadshow involving the Centre Against Violence visiting Baranduda Community Centre to have conversations with community members at an event featuring morning tea and guest speakers from the Hume Riverina Community Legal Service.
Keep an eye out in our parks and reserves for “16 orange ladies” who are doing their part to stop gender-based violence.
Presented by the Zonta Club of Albury Wodonga, the ladies will be out and about to raise awareness about the campaign.
The community is invited to attend a public vigil to remember and honour the women and children who have been affected by domestic and family violence.
Part of the 16 Days of Activism Initiative, the vigil invites us all to take a stand against gender-based violence.
The vigil is presented by Gateway Healh and will be held at Woodland Grove from 4.30pm to 5.30pm
Join us at Hyphen Wodonga Library Gallery on Thursday, December 8, from 7pm to 9pm for a free screening of UNDER COVER, a film that shares the moving but optimistic portraits of women facing struggles and lays bare the flaws in our society.
Part of the 16 Days of Action initiative, the film is narrated by Margot Robbie, and written, directed and produced by Sue Thomson.
The screening will be accompanied by a discussion with local organisations working in the affordable housing space.
To see the full calendar of events,
The campaign aims to provide the opportunity for the community to learn more about violence against women as well as the underlying causes of men’s violence including:
- Gender inequality
- Gender power imbalances
- Stereotypes and biases
- Negative attitudes towards women.
Wodonga Council through consultation with the community identified the prevention of family violence as a top priority.
Population Health and Wellbeing Co-ordinator Brett Sanderson said that it’s everyone’s business, including Wodonga Council’s, to tackle gender-based violence.
“It’s a tragic fact that in Australia one woman is killed nearly every week due to family violence,” he said.
“For all the wonderful benefits our city offers, Wodonga still has some of the highest rates of family violence in the state and children are present at nearly 40 per cent of these incidents.
“We all must work together to challenge harmful attitudes, beliefs and stereotypes that support violence in our community.”
Mr Sanderson is encouraging everyone to attend some of this year’s events.
“We have some great events planned and it’s also an opportunity to thank local family violence services and frontline workers who are working hard to keep our community and children safe,” he said.
