16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence Campaign

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About the campaign

Safe and Equal is continuing to collaborate with Respect Victoria for the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence in 2023. Following positive reception for the campaign messaging in previous years, this year’s theme will be “Respect Is…”

The United Nation’s international campaign 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, takes place each year from 25 November (International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women) until 10 December (International Human Rights Day). 

Check out Respect Victoria’s website for more information on the campaign. 

Check out MAV’s website for more information on the campaigns from previous years. 

To support the delivery of the 16 Days of Activism Grassroots Initiative, Respect Victoria has funded Safe and Equal to connect and build the capacity of local councils, Statewide Women’s Health Services and Women’s Health Services Prevention Partnerships across Victoria.  

Safe and Equal is hosting a range of capacity-building activities for anyone interested in getting involved in the campaign, including a webinar and workshop series to support 16 Days campaign engagement, a fortnightly bulletin, a 16 Days helpdesk for targeted advice and an events calendar to connect campaigns happening across the regions.  

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How to get involved

You can help generate conversations about gender equality and respect by organising events and activities during the 16 Days such as: 

  • posting on social media 
  • preparing podcasts,  
  • hosting webinars and virtual panel discussions 
  • participating in the Walk Against Family Violence 
  • developing artwork and online art exhibitions 
  • delivering online training sessions 
  • organising virtual book clubs and StoryTime in conjunction with libraries 
  • organising street art, banners, posters and lighting up buildings in orange 

Upcoming events

Community events

Add your organisation’s campaign events to our Community Calendar here.

Need support with your event planning? Check out the Event Planning Guide here

Campaign support events

In 2023, Safe and Equal and Respect Victoria are hosting an online webinar and workshop series to support organisations and practitioners with their 16 Days of Activism campaign planning and activities. 

Throughout the month of October, these events will offer opportunities to meet other 16 Days campaigners, help build capability in accessible and inclusive digital communications, and training on how to integrate a values-based messaging approach into your campaign. 

16 Days of Activism Kick Off Workshop

Wednesday 4 October 2023, 11.30 am – 1.30 pm

This webinar gave 16 Days of Activism campaigners an opportunity to come together and hear about how they can get involved and where to go for more information.

Participants heard from Respect Victoria and Safe and Equal about this year’s grassroots initiative. This recording also includes lessons from 2022 including tips for engagement with social media, and guides you on how to access resources and support leading up to the 16 Days of Activism.

16 Days of Activism: Introduction to Values Based Messaging and Intersectional Social Justice for Campaigns

Wednesday 18 October 2023, 10 am – 12pm

Common Cause Values & Frames training by Intertwine draws on decades of social psychology to connect the dots between the evidence you already know and the language and messaging structure you need to create powerful, transformative and persuasive communications.

Led by longtime communications strategist Ro Bersten, this webinar covers the theory and implications of values research, identity, a brief intro to intersectionality, the concept of framing, and the latest research and suggested wording for prevention messaging that works.

Partner
resources

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The following resources are available from a range of organisations in Victoria, working in primary prevention and family violence that may support organisations in their campaigns around the 16 Days of Activism

Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Respect Victoria has compiled a Coronavirus (COVID-19) information hub to keep the community informed with up-to-date information, advice and a comprehensive list of service providers to contact during the pandemic. The hub also outlines guiding principles to help maintain the focus on primary prevention efforts during the pandemic.
Other 16 Days of Activism resources
Australian Government’s Respect Stories – https://www.respect.gov.au/respectstories/

Ethnic Communities’ Council of Victoria, Multicultural Centre for Women’s Health and InTouch Multicultural Centre against Family Violence – Multilingual resources promoting respect within migrant and refugee communities

Women’s Health Loddon Mallee – 16 Days of Activism Resource Pack 2020

Women’s Health Goulburn North East - 16 Days of Activism 2020 regional calendar of events, workplace and organisational resources and social media toolkit 

Women’s Health in the North – 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence Campaign Toolkit 2019 (PDF – 705KB)

Women’s Health in the South East – 16 Days of Activism Social Media Toolkit

Women’s Health in the North – 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence social media tiles

Our Watch – Changing the Landscape

The Line – https://www.theline.org.au/

Because Why? – https://www.becausewhy.org.au/

Women’s Health Loddon Mallee – 16 Days of Activism Toolkit 2023 (whlm.org.au)

Engagement across Victorian communities is critical to expanding the conversation and building momentum to prevent family violence and all forms of violence against women, before it occurs.

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Tania Farha

CEO, Safe and Equal

Campaign Webinars

Safe and Equal's Primary Prevention Unit facilitated a webinar series is for community organisations and councils that are planning to get involved in this year's initiative.

Planning your 16 Days of Activism Campaign

Our first webinar provided participants with practical advice on how to run a successful campaign, including tips on managing inclusion and accessibility, and how to engage local leaders in discussions about primary prevention of family and gender-based violence.

Download presentation slides (PDF 2MB)

Download accessible version of slides

Online Campaigns and Managing Resistance

Our second webinar held on Wednesday 3 November 2:00 – 3:30 pm, dives into how you can run an engaging 16 Days campaign in the online environment and prepare you to respond to different forms of resistance.

Download presentation slides (PDF 2MB)

Download accessible version of slides

Learning from the 16 Days of Activism

Our third event provided participating organisations with the opportunity to celebrate and reflect on the 16 Days, connect with one another, share how their organisation engaged with the campaign and provide feedback for informing future campaigns.

Download presentation slides (Google Sheets)

Download accessible version of slides

Case studies

A wide range of councils and community organisations across metropolitan, rural and regional Victoria are participating in this years' 16 Days campaign.

See below for some examples of innovative and inspired activities and events that participants have planned for promoting the campaign and engaging their communities in preventing and ending gendered violence.

Respecting Seniors Network – 16 Ks in 16 Days
Following on from the success of its first 16 Days campaign in 2020, the Respecting Seniors Network in partnership with Zonta Melbourne South East and Zonta Mornington Peninsula are leading a walking campaign against ageism, sexism and violence throughout the 16 Days in collaboration with Frankston City Council and Mornington Peninsula.

The Network is encouraging locals to walk at least 16 K’s in 16 Days to raise awareness of, and support for, older victim-survivors of family violence. Participants are encouraged to log their distance on a whole-of-community pedometer available on the Respecting Seniors website. Selfie frames will be installed along popular walking routes and digital versions will be available for download on the Respecting Seniors Network website.

For more information, visit the campaign website, #16Ksin16Days: https://respectingseniorsnetwork.org.au/16ks-in-16-days/

Jewish Care – The Macho Paradox
Jewish Care in partnership with Unchain My Heart and local Respectful Relationships schools, will be hosting The Macho Paradox, an in-conversation 16 Days event with Dr Jackson Katz on Wednesday 24 November. This virtual event will focus on how to engage community members – particularly men and boys – on unpacking masculinity, preventing violence and helping create safer communities. To register for this event, visit www.jewishcare.org.au/tmp
Alpine Shire and Alpine Health – On The Basis of Sex community screening
As part of the 16 Days campaign, Alpine Shire Council in partnership with Alpine Health and Sun Cinema Bright are hosting a special screening of On The Basis of Sex on Sunday 5 December. The acclaimed film is based on the life of Ruth Bader Ginsburg and her lifelong advocacy for equal rights and the historic career that led to her nomination and confirmation as a US Supreme Court Associate Justice. Tickets will soon be available via the Sun Cinema website, alternatively please email info@sunbright.com.au to pre-book your ticket and light-refreshments in advance.
The Sexual Assault and Family Violence Centre – Wellbeing and Sustainability training
As part of the 16 Days Campaign, the Sexual Assault and Family Violence Centre will deliver a free Wellbeing and Sustainability training session for Primary Prevention Practitioners on Tuesday 7 December. This training aims to equip participants with the tools to recognise and understand vicarious trauma, compassion fatigue, moral distress and burnout and provide tips on how to manage and prevent it in the future. The training elements will include a focus on personal wellbeing and how to sustain selves and others through work and advocacy that requires generational change. For more information on this training session, and to book your free tickets, visit Eventbrite.
Geelong Women’s Social Action Network
In the leadup to this year’s campaign, we’ll be sharing some examples of what activities and events participants from across the state have planned for this year’s 16 Days campaign.

The first to feature is The Geelong Women’s Social Action Network, who have put together The Clothesline Project. This project encourages participants to get creative at home and make or use clothing, tea towels, scarves or other old items they may have, to tell stories or share statements about stopping violence against women; advocating for women’s rights; promoting awareness around safety in public and in private; ending sexual assault; and preventing all forms of gendered and family violence.

The Clothesline Project is focused on promoting greater awareness of the impact of violence and sexual assault and helping break the silence.

If COVID-19 restrictions allow, the Geelong Women’s Social Action Network are aiming to hold a public art installation of submissions made to the Clothesline Project – see here for ideas.

Register your interest to take part in the Clothesline Project 2021 online.

Good Samaritan Inn
Specialist family violence workers at Good Samaritan Inn are partnering with local school students to create and promote respectful relationships messaging for this year’s 16 Days of Activism campaign. 

Good Samaritan Inn will run a day of small workshops at a local Catholic boys’ school to educate students on the gendered drivers of family violence. Following the workshop, each participant will be invited to contribute a message of advocacy and hope to a larger banner that will be displayed to the public in Preston. 

Local community members will be able to walk by and read messages created by staff and students, encouraging broader conversations and community engagement with respectful relationships.   

Located in the northern suburbs of Melbourne, Good Samaritan Inn assists women and children who have experienced family violence and homelessness by providing short-term crisis accommodation and support. 

http://www.goodsamaritaninn.org.au/ 

Primary Care Connect
The Greater Shepparton Family Violence Prevention Network in partnership with Primary Care Connect has created Exploring Gender in the Early Years, an online event that aims to address the gendered drivers of family violence.

Hosted by comedian and author Nelly Thomas, Exploring Gender in the Early Years will provide attendees an opportunity to develop their understandings of gender stereotypes at home, and provide strategies to challenge these.

The Greater Shepparton Family Violence Prevention Network is comprised of specialist family violence services, youth and family services, education, police, local council and community services. The grant provided by DV Vic/DVRCV and Respect Victoria allowed the committee to engage Nelly to deliver the session and provide her expertise.

This event is open to both professionals and community members, who have different but very important roles in undertaking this work.

Register to attend Exploring Gender in the Early Years via Eventbrite.