Our Watch

"I challenge everyone to dig deep and ask yourself, am I truly doing the best I can in learning and accepting the truth of the ongoing harm and treatment of Aboriginal people in our country today?” Regan Mitchell, Wiradjuri-Ngunnawal woman, Head of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Strategy at Our Watch.    Last week, Regan Mitchell spoke at FW (Future Women)'s International Women's Day event.   Featuring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, it was an amazing opportunity to reflect on the First Nations women who have been speaking truth to power for generations.   Thanks to Future Women for this important event and to all the speakers for sharing their insights. Read more about the event on the Future Women website: https://lnkd.in/gTtdgdGP [Alt: 1. A photo of Regan Mitchell, Wiradjuri-Ngunnawal woman and Head of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Strategy at Our Watch. She is speaking into a microphone at a podium. To the right, a quote from Regan reads: “We need you to stand with us and stand up for us for a real chance at change – and I believe we all want that.” 2. Regan Mitchell speaking into a microphone at a podium. 3. Miranda Ratajski, Helen McCabe, Marjorie Anderson, Gabrielle Ebsworth, Yarraka Bayles, Lisa Sarago and Regan Mitchell stand together, smiling at the camera.]

Entries are open for the 2025 Our Watch Award for Excellence in Reporting on Violence Against Women as part of the Mid-Year Media Prizes. This award recognises the work of an individual, team or news organisation in highlighting the drivers of gendered violence and the way these intersect with other forms of discrimination and abuse faced by women and children. Entries close on 14 April. Learn more and submit your entry here: https://lnkd.in/gUKmZ9m

"I think it's like pretty much any workplace, having that bit of balance [in gender equality] can really improve the job site. When diverse groups of people come together, it can work actually work so well." https://ab.co/4bDTuZ4

We are proud to announce our new partnership with Multicultural Centre for Women's Health!    The Multicultural Centre for Women’s Health (MCWH) is a national, community-based organisation, led by and for women and gender diverse people from migrant and refugee backgrounds. MCWH has been at the forefront of prevention programs for 47 years, where they have built their specialist, feminist and intersectional expertise to ensure that their work remains culturally respectful and responsive to the needs of migrant and refugee communities.    Together, we are working to strengthen the prevention of violence against women from migrant and refugee backgrounds. Through this partnership, we aim to build on existing primary prevention approaches and evidence to ensure they are responsive and reflect the needs of multicultural communities.     Learn more about this partnership on our website: https://lnkd.in/ecVQc75S [Alt: 1. Cream tile featuring the logos of Our Watch and Multicultural Centre for Women’s Health. 2. Navy text on a cream tile. A quote from Dr Adele Murdolo, CEO, Multicultural Centre for Women’s Health: “Our feminist intersectional approach focuses on identifying and changing the systems and structures that generate gendered inequality, while taking into account the interaction between systems and the social and cultural context within which migrant and refugee women experience their lives.” 3. Navy text on a cream tile. A quote from Patty Kinnersly, CEO, Our Watch: “Our Watch and the Multicultural Centre for Women’s Health have a history of working together to strengthen the evidence base and reduce structural barriers facing multicultural communities in prevention initiatives. We recognise that this work should be self-determined and led by the deep knowledge and expertise of organisations working directly with communities and individuals within those communities.]

The media is a powerful tool in preventing violence against women. That's why we have developed free resources, guides and videos for journalists and media professionals. Find them on our website: https://lnkd.in/g_pcYYdw [Alt: 1. Navy text on a green background: 5 reasons why media reporting on violence against women matters. A photo of a TV studio, with two news anchors appearing through a camera monitor. 2. Cream and green text on a navy background: 1. The media can help readers, listeners and viewers understand how widespread violence against women is, who is affected, what drives it, how it can be prevented. Green arrow pointing to next tile. 3. Navy text on a green background: 2. The media can shape the way women understand their own experiences of violence and influence decisions on whether to speak out, take action or seek support. Cream arrow pointing to next tile. 4. Cream and green text on a navy background: 3. The media can influence the way perpetrators understand their own choices to use violence and whether to seek support to change their behaviour. Green arrow pointing to next tile. 5. Navy text on a green background: 4. The media can influence public policy and legislation through its investigation of violence against women. Cream arrow pointing to next tile. 6. Cream and green text on a navy background: 5. The media can help reframe how violence is discussed and champion the belief that this violence is never acceptable or excusable.]

How do we build a future free from violence? Respectful relationships education is one part of the puzzle. Our Watch CEO Patricia Kinnersly explains how in this article, originally published in the Herald Sun. https://lnkd.in/g23nRhAs [Alt: 1. Navy text on a cream background: How Respectful relationships education can help prevent violence against women. A photo of a male teacher and a student in the classroom, talking and smiling. 2. Cream and green text on a navy background: Respectful relationships education is based on decades of research that disrespect, rigid gender stereotypes and sexism are at the root of what causes violence. By embedding Respectful relationships education into Australian schools, we can significantly increase the chances of a violence-free future for our children. Green arrow pointing to next tile. 3. Navy text on a green background: Respectful relationships education includes age-appropriate lessons about healthy relationships, gender and respect. But it’s also about making changes to school policies, structures and environments. Cream arrow pointing to next tile. 4. Cream and green text on a navy background: This might include all students having equal access to sports facilities and ovals, leadership positions being held by people of all genders, volunteers at a canteen or fundraiser include parents of all genders.]

A great event from Multicultural Centre for Women's Health! Learn more and book your ticket below.

It’s #InternationalWomensDay!    Today is an opportunity to celebrate the progress that has been made in Australia, and across the world, in achieving gender equality – and also reflect on how far we have to go.    To create a future where all women are safe, equal and respected, we need to drive change in every part of our society, from our systems and institutions to our personal lives and communities.    There are countless people, organisations and communities who are committed to doing this work and driving meaningful change. Together, we can #MarchForward, towards a safer future for all.    #IWD25 Laura Pettenuzzo, Hala A., Regan Mitchell, Cara Gleeson, Moo Baulch [Alt: 1. A quote from Rosie Batty, navy text on a green background: If gender inequality is how violence starts, equality is how it stops. Below, a photo of Rosie smiling at the camera. 2. A quote from Laura Pettenuzzo, cream text on a navy background: Women and girls with disabilities are the experts of their own bodies and their own experiences. A photo of Laura smiling at the camera. 3. A quote from Hala Abdelnour, navy text on a cream background: Just be that person that speaks up. A photo of Hala smiling at the camera. 4. A quote from Regan Mitchell, Wiradjuri-Ngunnawal woman, cream text on a navy background: Don’t underestimate the power you have with your friends, your family, in your workplaces. Know the evidence and speak to it. A photo of Regan speaking into a microphone. 5. A quote from Cara Gleeson, navy text on a green background: To prevent gender-based violence, we must mobilise people and institutions, embedding individual behaviour shifts into broader systemic efforts. A photo of Cara smiling at the camera. 6. A quote from Moo Baulch, navy text on a cream background: Gender equality benefits everyone... How can you not be driven to keep chipping away at it, in any way that we can, for the greater good of all? A photo of Moo looking at the camera.]

This International Women’s Day 2025, we stand united with DV-alert, 1800RESPECT Australia, eSafety Commissioner and ANROWS under the theme “March Forward.” As key organisations in the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2023 - 2032, we are steadfast in our commitment to creating a future free of gender-based violence for women and girls. We are joined in this commitment by countless other organisations working across prevention, intervention, response and healing to create vital change Together, we are driving meaningful change towards a world where safety and dignity are a reality for all. #InternationalWomensDay #IWD2025 #MarchForward [Alt: White text on a navy background: Working towards a future free from violence. A green illustration of two hands holding to form the shape of a heart.]

"Meeting men where they are at is about finding ways to safely and effectively engage men to reflect deeply on gender and power in their own lives and to think about how they can be allies in preventing gender-based violence," Shane Tas (he/him), Principal Advisor, Masculinities, Our Watch. Recently Shane Tas presented at the Victorian Summit on the Prevention and Response to Gender-Based Violence in Higher Education, hosted by Monash University. It was a fantastic opportunity to bring together university and TAFE leaders, experts, students and survivors, to discuss addressing gender-based violence in higher education. [Alt: 1. Shane Tas speaks into a microphone while another panelist listens. 2. A wide shot of the panel, Shane Tas speaks into the microphone while three other panelists listen, behind them a powerpoint presentation. 3. Shane Tas listens to someone speaking out of frame.]