Over the past 16 days, we have worked with many feminists from around the world to highlight the importance of critical action in advocating for solutions, awareness and resources to better prevent and respond to gender-based violence.
From our artist collaboration with Cheeky_Palm, meet the activist series, supporting our sisters at YWCA Palestine, blogs galore, trialling a socials takeover with the No To Violence crew; we have explored the crucial need for change.
16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence may be over for 2020 but why not join us in advocating for the rights of women, young women and girls for the other 349 days of the year?
16 Days of Activism no doubt creates an opportunity to globally advocate and raise awareness against gender-based violence. However, it is vital to recognise that our advocacy must remain consistent beyond these 16 days. It is no secret that we have a long way to go to ensure gender equality and racial justice is achieved, however, together we can create a ripple effect throughout our communities. The work is far from over and we need your support to continue creating change.
In case you have missed any of the insightful content, please check out the following:
Gender Based-Violence Quiz
Put your knowledge about gender-based violence in Australia to the test! If you have already done it try again and see if you know more than you did two weeks ago.
The impacts of COVID-19
COVID-19 has challenged the world in multiple ways, including a serious impact on gender-based violence. Research has found that almost 1 in 10 women in a relationship have experienced domestic violence during the COVID-19 lockdowns.
Stealthing
Another rarely discussed topic is stealthing… have you heard of it?
Meet the Activist Series
We spoke to a series of activists fighting gender-based violence in their own countries and communities. Our activists were:
- Hannah Althaia James from YWCA PNG.
- Anika Jane Dorothy, Executive Director of the Greens Congress in Kenya.
- Monique Lam, Advocacy and Prevention Manager for Domestic Violence NSW.
- Satako Yamaguchi from YWCA Japan.
International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People article by Sara Saleh
November 29th marked International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian people. Our shared history and sisterhood with World YWCA and YWCA Palestine made this an important date to acknowledge. The fabulous Sara Saleh shared her thoughts on how to be an active ally.
#GivingTuesday: It is never too late to support women, young women and girls who were disproportionately impacted by COVID-19. Donate today tosupport our Y sisters this festive season!
International Day for the Abolition of Slavery article by Zahra Al Hilaly
Zahra Al Hilaly, a member of our Young Women’s Council, highlights the ways that we can do our part to end modern slavery!
International Day of People with Disability
Our program Y Connect recently made a submission to the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability’s Disability Employment Issues Paper and an incredible artwork created for Y Connect by Ruby Allegra.
Coercive Control
Coercive control is something that is unfortunately, not spoken about enough. You can also check out our in-conversation webinar with Jess Hill and Zoya Patel during #FeministBookWeek to learn more about coercive control. They tackle topics like gender relations, feminism, sex, power and experiences of violence like coercive control. Check it out now!
We all have a responsibility to challenge disrespect towards women
Khadija Gbla, Director of Ending Female Genital Mutilation Australia and an Our Watch ambassador wrote a blog about challenging disrespect towards women.
Four Ways to Prevent Gender-Based Violence
Claire wrote an article for Women’s Agenda about ways we can prevent gender-based violence.
Russell Hooper from No To Violence Socials Takeover
On this day, we had the amazing Russell Hooper, Head of Advocacy at No to Violence and Men’s Referral Service, take over our social media and discuss men’s behaviour change and what NTV are advocating for.
‘An entire community felt hope this week’ on Elliot Page’s announcement
A reflection on Elliot Page coming out as trans and the relation to LGBTIQ+ health, wellbeing and intersectional feminism by our very own Senior Manager – Advocacy, Bobbie Trower was featured on Mamamia.
Want to know how governments can build a better budget?
Equality Rights Alliance (ERA) and YWCA have teamed up to create a video for young people, dedicated to explaining the importance of building a better budget in Australia by using intersectional analysis and gender-responsive budgeting. In order to direct government money where it needs to go the most, we have to use data effectively to address gender inequality and improve outcomes for everyone. For example, it would mean money would be put into support for the prevention and response to gender-based violence. This explainer video breaks down the complex topic of budgeting, how we can #BuildBackBetter and #BanBlokeBasedBudgets and is voiced by Sharifah Emalia Al-Gadrie, a member of YWCA’s Young Women’s Council.
Y Advocacy? An intersectional Feminist Toolkit
If you know anyone looking to make a difference and advocate for gender equality and other issues affecting women, young women, girls and people of marginalised genders in Australia, send them this toolkit! This is a collection of practical tips and advice navigating gender equality advocacy in Australia.
This toolkit wouldn’t have been possible without the collective effort of feminists (and their toolkits!) around the world, including World YWCA’s own work, but particularly First Nations women and women of colour who have led intersectional feminism globally.
16 Days
Bobbie Trower reflects on 16 days and why it is important now more than ever.
And finally, we would love to share our new online shop
Profits from the online store are reinvested back into YWCA’s goal of realising gender equality in Australia and we may be biased, but it takes a lot of hassle out of any gift purchasing you may have to make for a fellow feminist!
Even though we’ve had a fantastic 16 Days of Activism, the work is far from over.
Join us and become a member at today to make a real difference and take action on gender equality! Contact us if you have a blog, article or advocacy idea. If you’re already a member, why not join the CBF – YWCA’s Cyber Feminists, a group of diverse feminist voices who engage in collective online advocacy.
