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25 Nov 2024 Campaigns
Every year, the international campaign known as 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence calls for action against one of the world’s most persistent violations of human rights – violence against women.
#16Days is held from 25 November (International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women) to 10 December (International Human Rights Day).
This year, Working Women’s Centre SA are highlighting ways that you can help raise awareness and involvement in action to end gendered-based violence in its many forms.
16 actions you can take during #16Days and throughout the year:
We know it can be overwhelming to witness and act against the levels of violence in our world – however your actions do help make a difference.
To help you with where to begin, we’ve also shared below some more information about 16 different aspects of gender-based violence, and the organisations and campaigns that are responding and making change. Join, speak up, donate and be active!
1/ Understanding and Changing Violence Against Women in Australia
Gender-based violence is a national emergency in Australia, and women are calling for action.
The South Australian Government is currently undertaking a Royal Commission into Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence. As part of the process, they are seeking submissions from the public – these are due by 5pm Tuesday 10 December 2024.
Alongside government, community, family and workplace action, organisations like Australia’s National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety conduct feminist research to help us to understand violence against women, and national advocacy agencies like Our Watch work to embed change.
2/ Working for Truth, Treaty, Justice
The Working Women’s Centre SA supports truth-telling and treaty-making, for our nation to truly come to terms with the ongoing violence of colonialism. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women are important leaders in feminist and workers movements, and solidarity with First Nations Peoples’ calls for reparation and justice can be shown in many ways.
Non-Indigenous feminists can follow platforms like Indigenous-X and their Anthology, listen to First Nations feminist voices, and support Aboriginal community -controlled activism.
3/ Supporting Peace and Internationalism- End the Genocide in Palestine
War, settler colonialism and militarism go hand in hand with gender-based violence. Women and children are targeted in conflicts and crises, and wars significantly increase rates of sexual and gender-based violence. The United Nations has reported that 70% of people killed in Palestine in the last year have been women and children.
Feminists work for justice and peace! Find out more through the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom and Australian Friends of Palestine Association.
4/ Acting for Climate Justice
The climate change emergency disproportionately impacts on women and children, and subjects many people to food insecurity, displacement and disaster. Elevating women’s rights will always positively impact on better climate action, adaptation and justice.
Find out more about feminist action for climate justice globally. In Australia, support activist organisations like Seed Mob.
5/ Defending Our Abortion Rights
From Trump’s America to attempts to restrict abortion in various states of Australia, abortion rights are back on the political agenda and reproductive rights are under attack. No one is free from violence if they can’t control their own bodily autonomy.
“Why we [heart] abortion and use the phrase pro-abortion” is a great piece from Texas. Here in SA join, donate and get active with the South Australian Abortion Action Coalition.
6/ Supporting Women in Prisons
Intergenerational violence and poverty contribute to the criminalisation and incarceration of women and girls. Gender-based violence can be a pathway to incarceration, and racism and trauma means that First Nations women are over-represented in jails.
Justice Action represents people locked in Australian prisons and hospitals, defending human rights in the hardest places. Seeds of Affinity – Pathways for Women (Seeds) is a South Australian organisation that is run by and for women with lived prison experience.
Sisters Inside and other organisations like them are a voice for and by incarcerated women.
7/ Supporting Trans Rights
Violence and discrimination against trans and gender diverse people is increasing around the world. Everyone is responsible for making sure people are safe to live their own lives and are supported in their bodily and healthcare choices.
Trans Equality is a movement of trans and gender diverse people, allies and organisations, working for trans rights, advocacy and connections in Australia. Minus18 works to champion and celebrate LGBTQIA+ young people.
8/ Supporting Disability Rights
Women, girls, and gender diverse people living with disability experience high levels of violence and abuse in their homes, health and care settings, workplaces, and in the community. They are demanding justice and rights, not paternalism.
Women With Disabilities Australia works to promote human rights and end all systemic discrimination and violence based on gender and disability.
9/ Supporting the Rights of Sex Workers
Sex workers are workers, deserving of safety and workplace rights as much as any other worker. The criminalisation and stigmatisation of sex workers can have devastating effects on their safety, housing, health and wellbeing. Supporting the rights and decriminalisation of sex workers is a feminist issue.
Scarlet Alliance, Australian Sex Workers Association, and in South Australia, the Sex Industry Network undertake self-determined activism to advance the rights, respect for and health of sex workers.
10/ Supporting Refugee Rights
The human rights and freedom of refugees and migrants are one of the biggest issues facing humanity, worsening with climate crisis and war. Refugees and asylum seekers have spoken up about how Australia has of some of the most cruel and violent policies targeting them in the world, and are leading the movement for positive change.
Like many issues, the best work for change is grounded in the principle of “Nothing About Us, Without Us”. Support self-determined activism and mutual aid by donating to RISE: Refugees, Survivors and ex-Detainees.
11/ Anti- Poverty Action
The gender wage and superannuation gap, unpaid caring labour, taxation and social security policies all contribute to women’s experiences of poverty in Australia. Family, domestic and sexual violence, and poverty, are often closely interconnected.
Check out the Raise the Rate campaign and support the work of the Anti-Poverty Network SA, a voice for South Australians on low incomes.
12/ Responding to Modern Slavery and Labour Trafficking
Modern slavery and labour trafficking is a global epidemic affecting industries such as textiles and fashion, agriculture and food services, domestic services, technology and construction. Over 70% of people forced into labour are women or girls.
Responses need to be led by rights-based, pro-union and sex worker inclusionary feminism such as the Global Alliance Against Trafficking in Women. In Australia, organisations like Action Aid are campaigning for economic justice for women workers around the world.
13/ Elevating the Rights of Children and Girls
One in three girls can expect to be the target of some form of gender-based violence during their lifetime. Children are affected by global challenges such education, health, bodily rights, and disaster relief.
The Global Fund for Women believes that children’s rights must be addressed, and that girls, young women and non-binary youth must be included in the fight for gender justice. Plan International’s 2023 State of the World’s Girls report focused on girls’ and young women’s activism.
14/ Being Union Proud!
The union movement continues its proud tradition of fighting for women’s rights, from equal pay to paid Family and Domestic Violence Leave. Unions are playing an important role in combatting workplace sexual harassment.
Join your union, celebrate women in unions and keep up the fight!
15/ Combatting Sexual Harassment in the Workplace
One in three people have been sexually harassed at work. Following its groundbreaking inquiry, report and recommendations, Respect@Work offer a comprehensive set of resources to understand, prevent and address workplace sexual harassment, including new Positive Duty laws that require employers and businesses to actively eliminate sexual discrimination and harassment.
However, the silencing effects of Non-Disclosure Agreements are still discouraging reporting and action. This needs to change. Working Women’s Centres around the nation are working to change the misuse and overuse of NDAs. Stay in touch with us to be part of this campaign and remember we also offer workplace training on sexual harassment and family and domestic Violence.
16/ Advancing Human Rights Laws in Australia and South Australia
A Human Rights Act, nationally and in South Australia, would help prevent discrimination and injustice, and promote rights, dignity and democracy. The South Australian Parliament is currently in the committee stage of considering human rights legislation.
Human Rights Acts or Charters would empower women and others to act when their rights are violated. The Working Women’s Centre SA supports the campaign for an Australian Human Rights Act.
