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Everyone deserves a safe, secure life free from gender-based violence and the Albanese Labor Government is committed to our shared goal of ending violence against women and children in one generation.

Today, to further those efforts we are announcing $2 million in additional funding for the Gender and Disaster Recovery training program to ensure in times of natural disasters and emergencies, women and children experiencing violence can receive the support they need.

Gender and Disaster Australia (GADAus) provides critical training and resources to frontline responders to help them to assist women, children and vulnerable people who are subject to violent behaviours when natural disasters strike.

The funding boost will allow GADAus to support an additional 700 frontline responders to gain the skills they need. These first responders will be equipped to help women, children, people who identify as LGBTIQA+, and men who choose violence or are at risk of suicide.

Minister for Social Services, Amanda Rishworth, said the funding addresses a key focus of the ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022-2032, to equip first responders to recognise the signs of violence during and following disasters and emergency situations.

“We know that unfortunately natural disasters and emergencies increase the likelihood, and the severity, of violence against women and children,” Minister Rishworth said.

“Ending gender-based violence in Australia is a national priority for our Government, and proper training and support for those on the frontline is pivotal to achieving our goal.”

“Training and support provided by Gender and Disaster Australia will equip Australia’s frontline responders with the tools they need to recognise violence and respond appropriately. This type of support is critical when people may already have lost a lot through disasters, such as droughts, fires and floods”.

Assistant Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence Justine Elliot said how vital this training was to achieving a holistic emergency management response.

“Embedding a gender lens to emergency management practice, and ensuring additional training is made available to our emergency services workers and first responders will help us to stop the cycle of violence in our communities,” Assistant Minister Elliot said.

“GADAus supports our frontline responders to better recognise, respond and assist women and children experiencing or at risk of violence when natural disasters strike, allowing for best possible practice.”

Former Sex Discrimination Commissioner and Chair of the GADAus Expert advisory Committee Elizabeth Broderick welcomed the funding and said it “will ensure frontline responders are equipped to recognize the heightened risks of domestic and family violence and understand its gendered impacts during emergencies” .

“This investment is a vital step toward protecting lives and creating safer, more resilient communities for everyone,” Ms Broderick said.

Executive Director of GADAus Debra Parkinson said the funding would “allow GADAus to contribute our efforts to the Australian Government’s goal of reducing violence against women within one generation”.

“The work of GADAus is unique in focusing on both gender and disaster and bears witness to the suffering of women, men and non-binary people in disasters. The research and all that has grown from it has so much to offer Australia at this time of uncertainty.”