16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence

The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence (16 Days) is an international campaign, first recognised at the inaugural Women’s Global Leadership Institute in 1991.

rural health

The campaign begins on November 25th, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, and concludes on December 10th, Human Rights Day. The initiative is supported by the United Nations and is acknowledged globally.

Violence against women is a global issue, a national issue, and an issue that exists in rural and regional Victoria. Violence against women is serious, but preventable.

‘Violence against women is any act of gender-based violence that causes or could cause physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering to women, including threats of harm or coercion, in public or in private life’ (UN Declaration).

Key Australian Statistics

  • On average one woman a week is murdered by her current or former partner.
  • 1 in 3 women has experienced physical violence since the age of 15.
  • 1 in 5 women has experienced sexual violence since the age of 15.
  • 1 in 3 women has experienced physical and/or sexual violence perpetrated by a man since the age of 15.
  • Violence against women costs Australia $21.7 billion each year.
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women have 29 times the rate of hospitalisation from family violence compared with non-Indigenous women.

Why is this important for the Department of Rural Health to know?

Women in regional, rural, and remote areas are more likely than women in urban areas to experience domestic and family violence. When violence occurs, fear of stigma and gossip can deter women from seeking help. Confidentiality and privacy are issues in small towns where police and healthcare workers often know both the victim and perpetrator. Small communities operate in ways that create unique challenges for perpetrator retribution. The man responsible for the violence might also be the local football coach, volunteer as a firefighter, and be well-liked by the community. In these situations, women are less likely to be believed.

Rural women do not have the same access to specialist family violence services due to geographical location and poor availability of transportation. In remote towns, there might not be a police officer or an emergency response team. Rural women may be unable to access to their own income. Complex financial arrangements in farming communities mean that money is often tied to the family farm, and a woman might be reluctant to leave if she and the children provide labour that is essential to the survival of the farm.

Attitudes in regional areas tend to adhere more strictly to traditional and ridged ideas of masculinity and gender roles. Natural disasters such as bushfire, drought and flooding highlight gender roles, increase hardships, and exacerbate family violence.

What are the Department of Rural Health doing about it?

The Department of Rural Health will be providing resources for staff to get involved in the 16 Days. Key goals of our involvement are to raise awareness amongst the organisation about gender-based violence, encourage discussion, and challenge ways of thinking.

There will also be an internal presentation at the Department of Rural Health staff communication forum on December 1st.

Resources and More Information

For more information and to download an extensive range of resources, please visit the campaign site at the button below.

Access Site Here

More Information

Ashleigh Colquhoun - CERSH Sexual Health and Wellbeing Project Officer

a.colquhoun@unimelb.edu.au

0437 548 870