Ararat Rural City Council is proud to join the 16 Days of Activism campaign to prevent violence against women.
The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence campaign encourages all Victorians to work together to prevent violence against women.
Keep an eye out for our special flags featuring important reminders about respect, calling it out, equality and empowerment, which will fly in a series at the front of Council’s head office across the days of the campaign.
The flags were designed by Ararat Rural City Council and printed with funding received from Safe and Equal, to create support for the global 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence campaign.
Ararat Library and Ararat Fitness Centre will also be hosting a free Women’s Legal Health pop-up stand, staffed by Ballarat & Grampians Community Legal Service (BGCLS). The stand will appear at the library on Thursday 21 November from 1pm – 3pm, and on Thursday 28 November from 10am – 12pm. There will be an afternoon session the same day at Ararat Fitness Centre, from 1pm – 3pm.
Safety for women is not a given in any community – and neither is respect.
“It doesn’t have to be this way,” says Respect Victoria’s Chair Kate Fitz-Gibbon. “Violence against women is preventable. This 16 Days of Activism and beyond, we have an opportunity to come together to progress a future where all Victorians are safe, equal and respected.
“To eliminate men’s violence against women we need to address the harmful attitudes and behaviours that drive violence in society. Importantly, everyone has a role to play. This 16 Days of Activism let’s work together to challenge harmful ideas about gender and power, and to create a future where all women live free from violence.”
Community activities for the 16 Days of Activism will begin on Friday 22 November in Melbourne, with the Walk Against Family Violence.
The campaign will end on Sunday 10 December, which marks the global Human Rights Day.
For more information, head to the Safe and Equal website for the community calendar of events happening across the state, and the Respect Victoria website for tips and tools.
Image: One of the custom flags designs which will be flown outside Council offices during the 16 Days of Activism campaign.
