Community events highlight the fight against gender-based violence

Published on 29 November 2024

West Wimmera Shire Council invites the community to two special events as part of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, focusing on creating safe, equal and respectful communities.

These events, in Kaniva and Edenhope, will feature guest speakers Angela Murphy, from Ballarat and Grampians Community Legal Service, and Melissa Morris from Women’s Health Grampians.

Ms Murphy will speak about the support available to people experiencing or at risk of family violence, people experiencing or at risk of homelessness and people residing in rural and remote areas.

Ms Morris will explore the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, its relevance to the West Wimmera Shire, and how we can build a safe and respectful community together.

The Edenhope event will be on 11 December at 11am at the Edenhope Library.

The Kaniva event will be on 12 December at 10.30am at the Kaniva LINK Neighbourhood House.

Both events will include morning tea.

Council Chief Executive Officer David Bezuidenhout said these events aimed at raising awareness of gender-based violence in the community.

“We encourage community members to attend,” he said.

“By coming together, we can better understand the challenges and opportunities for building safer, and more respectful communities.”

“The 16 Days of Activism is a global campaign, but it is still relevant to those in regional areas.

“Events like these will help shine a light on the issues impacting our rural communities.”

The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is an international campaign, led annually by UN Women.

It runs every year from 25 November to 10 December.

Throughout this time, communities worldwide come together to raise awareness and take action to prevent and end violence against women and girls.