Hundreds of Ballarat residents took to the streets on Friday evening to demand an end to violence against women in the region.
The Ballarat Walk Against Gender-based Violence formed part of the calendar of events for 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence – a global campaign that runs every year from 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, to 10 December, Human Rights Day.
Participants donned orange and many carried colourful signs calling for an end to gender-based violence.
Following the walk – a 500 metre route down Lydiard, Sturt and Camp streets – participants gathered at Alfred Deakin Place to hear from several speakers.
The walk was hosted by the City of Ballarat in partnership with several partner organisations including:
- Respect Victoria
- Safe and Equal
- Department of Justice and Community Safety
- Ballarat Community Health
- Grampians Health Ballarat
- Women’s Health Grampians
- Central Highlands Water
- Ballarat and District Aboriginal Cooperative
- Zonta Club of Ballarat Inc
- Unions Ballarat Trades Hall
- TBH Studio
- Ballarat Regional Multicultural Council
- WRISC Family Violence Support
- Ballarat Centre Against Sexual Assault
- Central Highlands Integrated Family Violence Committee
- Loud Fence Inc
- The Orange Door
The walk was led by prominent First Nations community members and local men in support of ending gendered violence.
City of Ballarat Councillor Tess Morgan said it was heartening to see so many community members and partner organisations participate in the walk and call for change.
“We know that harmful gender stereotypes and attitudes within the community play a role in fueling violence against women,” she said.
“Seeing so many people out walking today shows that change is coming, and that we can all play a role in combatting gender-based violence.”
Minister for Prevention of Family Violence, Vicki Ward joined Cr Morgan at the event.
“The Walk Against Gender-Based Violence in Ballarat is a powerful display of the role we all have to play in creating a safer and equal Victoria,” Minister Ward said.
“By standing together we send a clear message that gender-based violence has no place here.
“Preventing gender-based violence starts with respect. The 16 Days of Activism empower us to continue to take tangible steps toward a future free from harm.
The Ballarat Walk Against Gender-based Violence has received funding from Respect Victoria.
City of Ballarat Councillor Tess Morgan, Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence Vicki Ward, Ballarat Regional Multicultural Council Settlement Services and Family Violence Community Engagement Manager Heeyoung Lim, a Women’s Health Grampians Equality Advocate representative and Our Watch Chief Executive Patty Kinnersly spoke at a post walk event at Alfred Deakin Place. Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, and Member for Ballarat the Hon Catherine King, Member for Wendouree Juliana Addison and Member for Eureka Michaela Settle were also in attendance.
City of Ballarat Youth Ambassador Jacob Osenaris emceed the event.
In 2024, Respect Victoria and Safe and Equal are working together to support local community engagement with the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence. The City of Ballarat has been funded under Respect Victoria’s 16 Days of Activism grassroots initiative.
