Relationships Australia (Qld)’s Post

Nothing like facts

This week, in the leadup to the International Day of the Girl, UNICEF released the first-ever study on sexual violence in childhood. The findings are hard to absorb. - More than 370 million girls and women alive today – or 1 in 8 – experienced rape or sexual assault before the age of 18 - The number rises to 1 in 5 when online and verbal abuse is included This year's theme for the International Day of the Girl is the future. The future we envision is one where no girl has to look over her shoulder, where no girl fears harassment, abuse, or exploitation. It’s a future where policies, laws, and community efforts protect girls and give them the freedom to dream and succeed. This #InternationalDayoftheGirl, we call upon all leaders worldwide to support the creation of a new Optional Protocol to CEDAW to end violence against women and girls in all forms. Every girl deserves a future where she can pursue her dreams, free from violence and full of opportunity! Join us here: https://lnkd.in/dBkpvtt9 #EveryWomanTreaty #EndVAWG

#Domesticviolence remains a grave issue worldwide, including in #CentralAfrica. Every 11 minutes, a woman or girl dies at the hands of an intimate partner or family member. In #Cameroon, the Nkafu Policy Institute reported in July 2022 that 43.2% of women in union face domestic violence. Our documentary features the story of Ms. Micheline (a pseudonym), who has endured a challenging marriage. The African Commission for Human and Peoples’ Rights has declared a decade (2018-2028) to push for #genderequality and #women's empowerment. We call on #governments to enact and enforce laws to protect women against domestic violence, recognizing their crucial role in societal progress. Watch our documentary to understand the urgency and join the call for change: https://lnkd.in/eqmqB3gv #EndDomesticViolence #WomensRights #GenderEquality #Cameroon #CentralAfrica #EmpowerWomen #ProtectWomen

The right of women and girls to live a life free from violence is a global issue. Heightened media attention around gender-based violence in Australia has been both devastating in its content and galvanising in its power to spur united action. But how do we contribute to change when we see the equally devastating news of the impacts of violence on women living through war? Our leaders can be influenced to make policy decisions that oppose gender-based violence and war. We can call on our leaders to put people first. You can read WHGNE’s reflection on global conflict, gender-based violence and collective responsibility by checking out our blog: https://lnkd.in/gP-cQYqN #ThisIsPrevention #StopGenderBasedViolence

Young men, women, boys and girls are being hurt by poorly articulated and poorly understood gender-based violence narratives. When teaching and leading secondary boys' retreats I found they had a keen desire for a masculinity that was generous, strong and humble. Sadly this vision of masculinity was not one they came expecting to encounter. They expected broad strokes of demoralisation. Sadly such demoralisation pushed some of them to figures of 'apparent' masculine 'strength' like Andrew Tate. But that attraction was and is an unmet, unarticulated but raging hunger for a positive masculinity. They want to aspire to be more and better. How is it that our culture is failing to meet this hunger? A big part of the answer to this question is the broad, factually distorted and poorly articulated criticism of men as an oppressor 'class' and women as a victim 'class.' In this theatre males are violent, untrustworthy and historically oppressive as a class of people while females are prey, unremarkable and historically silent. Neither boys or girls aspire to those roles. This 'class' criticism, often well intentioned, is a misguided, dangerous and even vengeful way of addressing violent and cruel male behaviour. It is a convenient, low-resolution story for explaining the confusing and poorly understood violence and cruelty of a small and ever shrinking number of men in Australia. It ignores the dignity of each person in those 'classes' and steals their will and aspiration to be something better. It devolves the standard of behaviour males and females should expect of one another (from love to mere consent), engenders mistrust between the sexes, and belittles the traits of men and women we should celebrate and foster. This class-based criticism is incapable of leading us into a better future. Wise female judgement and honourable male striving are two of the great pillars of our culture and history. They underpin the prosperity and freedom we enjoy. I recommend this visual essay from Russel Blackford to help us understand the current landscape of gender-based violence. It is a well articulated, evidence-based survey of 'violence against women' in Australia. It demonstrates that things are better than they appear and continuing to improve. But it warns that 'crisis narratives' can and have manipulated us into making things worse for men, women, boys and girls.

Stand Against Gender-Based Violence! In a world where everyone should feel safe and respected, it’s crucial we unite against gender-based violence. Your voice can be a beacon of hope and change. Let’s challenge the norms, support survivors, and strive for a safer, more inclusive society. • Say NO to stereotypes and violence. • Empower and support survivors. • Raise your voice for justice and equality. • Educate on the importance of consent and respect. If you or someone you know is facing gender-based violence, you are not alone. Reach out for help and support: 1.The National GBV helpline 1195 2.Police helpline 999/112 3.Childline Kenya helpline 116 4.UWIANO SMS Platform 10 5.Kimbilio GBV helpline 1193 6.LVCT one 2 one youth helpline 1190 7.FIDA SMS platform 21661. Together, we can build a future free from violence. #StopGenderBasedViolence #EndGBV #SupportSurvivors #SpeakUp

Finally, the language and rhetoric on gendered violence is starting to shift. Violence against women is not a 'women's problem', yet it's mostly us speaking and acting as advocates. More men need to step up, have the difficult conversations with deep listening, honesty, vulnerability and be part of the action for change. Changes on a cultural, legislative, societal and ideological level. Today at the Melbourne rally the distress and momentum was palpable. We talk about the epidemic of stress and mental health, but violence against women has become a crisis and an epidemic, and these are interconnected, not exclusive.Women must be safe in their homes, on our streets, in shopping centres, in parliament. Girls and women must be believed, validated & supported. It was inspiring to be in solidarity with people from all walks of life, children, youth, couples, parents, grandparents, generations of families. Action must be solution based to shift the status quo. Today I turned up for every woman on this planet, from Australia to Palestine, who have been victims of male violence and lost their lives for existing. #womenlifefreedom #whatwasshewearing

"#violenceagainstwomen is a serious and widespread problem in #australia. But violence against women is also preventable. To prevent violence against women we need to understand it. This link provides information on the prevalence and nature of violence in Australia" Statistics and plans we can actually action 360 days of the year. What is the action that comes out of the #internationalwomensday2024's breakfast, tea, lunch, presentation you go to today. Please ask that question. https://lnkd.in/gca-QWhe

#Domesticviolence remains a grave issue worldwide, including in #CentralAfrica. Every 11 minutes, a woman or girl dies at the hands of an intimate partner or family member. In #Cameroon, the Nkafu Policy Institute reported in July 2022 that 43.2% of women in union face domestic violence. Our documentary features the story of Micheline (a pseudonym), who has endured a challenging marriage. The African Commission for Human and Peoples’ Rights has declared a decade (2018-2028) to push for #genderequality and #women's empowerment. We call on #governments to enact and enforce laws to protect women against domestic violence, recognizing their crucial role in societal progress. Watch our documentary to understand the urgency and join the call for change: https://lnkd.in/eqmqB3gv #EndDomesticViolence #WomensRights #GenderEquality #Cameroon #CentralAfrica #EmpowerWomen #ProtectWomen

The #SGBV situation is dire in the #DRCongo - every day women, girls, men and boys pays a high price for being in vulnerable situations- Too often, the women and girls’ bodies become the #battlegrounds - We must continue to #raiseawareness, #buildmomentum, #supportsurvivors, invest in #GBVprevention & response #endSGBV