INTERNATIONALLY the 16 days of Activism against gender-based violence began on November 25 and will last until December 10, but action is happening closer to home.
Swan Hill District Health is part of the Swan Hill District Gender Equity Network, a working group of local organisations and community members, who work together to build a more gender-equitable community.
Essentially equity means a focus on fairness rather than sameness.
It means to achieve a fair and just society, privilege and power needs to be more evenly distributed because we know that a more gender-equitable community benefits us all.
Family violence is a serious and systemic issue in Australian society, with one woman a week killed by her current or former partner and Swan Hill Rural City has some of the highest rates of family violence incidents in the state.
The time to act is now. We know that gender inequality is a key driver of family violence, particularly violence experienced by women.
The Swan Hill District Gender Equity Network is committed to preventing violence before it occurs, and creating a community where all people are free from the constraints of gender inequality and live healthy, happy, and productive lives.
Gender inequality is a root cause of violence against women.
Our Watch outlines the four main drivers of violence against women as condoning violence against women, men’s control of decision-making and limits to women’s independence, rigid gender roles and stereotypes and male relationships that emphasise aggression and disrespect towards women.
This year we are focusing on promoting gender equity in the early years through a range of actions during the 16 Days of Activism against gender-based violence.
Parents and carers play an important role in promoting gender equality and building children’s resilience to rigid gender stereotypes in early childhood.
As a parent or carer you may become aware of rigid stereotypes and start to question them, for example when reading children storybooks.
If you would prefer to read gender neutral books to your children we have included Respect Victoria’s example list in our Promoting Gender Equity in the Early Years-Community Guide.
Copies of this guide are available at the Swan Hill Regional Library who are promoting these stories in their Saturday story-time sessions during the 16 days of Activism.
Early Childhood Services have also been provided with a colouring-in competition activity, a simple drawing for young children to colour and take home to families for discussion.
A letter for parents and carers to support this conversation has also been included.
These colouring-in sheets can then be entered into a draw to win one of ten story book prizes.
New-borns born at Swan Hill District Health or who reside in the district will also be gifted with a community guide along with a story book to promote discussion and guidance in the early stages of parenting.
And a social media campaign will also run for the 16 Days of Activism highlighting information about gender equity through the voices and images of local champions including local dads, volunteers and service providers.
For more information feel free to contact Health Promotion on 5033 9337 or email eatmovesmile@shdh.org.au, and follow us at facebook.com/eatmovesmile and instagram.com/eatmovesmile
