16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence
The International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women marks the beginning of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, an annual campaign that calls for an end to violence against women.
It is an issue that touches many women: mothers, daughters, sisters, colleagues. In fact, the United Nations estimates that 1 in 3 women around the world will experience physical or sexual violence at some point in their life.
This includes women from all communities; from all walks of life, irrespective of age, culture, religion, sexuality or socioeconomic status – though the impact is disproportionately high for women and girls who belong to groups that are especially vulnerable, including young women; indigenous women; migrant and refugee women; women with disability; and women who identify as lesbian, bisexual, transgender or intersex.
Violence against women can take many forms. One of the most pervasive and damaging is family violence. At Jewish Care we see first-hand through our service delivery the impact this has on women and children in our community
Family violence is unacceptable. It has no place in our organisation, or our community. We believe that everyone has the right to feel safe and secure in their relationships, and to live without fear.
Jewish Care is proud to support the 16 Days of Activism. This year is more important than ever; it is well-established that family violence increases in the wake of disasters and other crises, and the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the already-epidemic levels of family violence across Victoria. We are committed to sending a strong and united message that it has no place in our – or any – community.
There are many ways to get involved:
Jerusalem’s Chord Bridge is lit in red in solidarity with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. (Photos by Hodaya Kalman/TPS)
In previous years, Jewish Care has partnered with other community organisations at the Annual Walk Against Family Violence. This year, supporters are encouraged to walk local instead with friends, family, or colleagues. Jewish Care will be represented by 10 staff members walking with our partner organisations at Caulfield Park to share this important message in a COVID-safe way. I encourage everyone to get involved: visit https://walk.safesteps.org.au/ to register your walk or join a group.
We have supplied cafes in our community with promotional coffee cups to build awareness and encourage help-seeking. The 2020 theme is Silence breeds violence. Visit a participating café during the 16 Days to pick up a coffee and support the campaign.
Finally, we are pleased to partner with Unchain My Heart to deliver a 16 Days virtual event, titled Not In Our Community. Featuring investigative journalist Jess Hill and gett refusal advocate Joanne Greenaway, this event will highlight the impacts of coercive control, a particularly destructive form of family violence – and how we, as a community, can respond. To register, visit www.jewishcare.org.au/nioc Accessible tickets are available for those experiencing hardship.
No matter how you choose to get involved, please know that your support makes a difference. Together, we can help to end family violence.
Jewish Care
