Protesters against gendered violence stood together on Parliament Lawns on December 10 to demand the federal government take it seriously.
The protest, organised by Grassroots Action Network Tasmania (GRANT), brought together researchers, victim-survivors, aid workers and activists to call for desperately needed action. It was part of a global action called 鈥16 Days of Action against Gender-Based Violence鈥.
鈥淚 started this rally because one-in-10 men in Australia have committed a sexual offence against children,鈥 GRANT spokesperson Olive said.
鈥淎fter hearing this I knew that action was needed to make changes to prevent the next generation from facing the abuse that so many of us have already faced.鈥
Rally speakers said gendered violence is a 鈥渘ational emergency鈥 and called on government institutions 鈥渢o treat it as such鈥.
Specifically, they called for preventative measures: universal consent education in schools and workplaces; more comprehensive training for those working with vulnerable people; better support for victims/survivors, including government funding for organisations providing mental and physical health care and housing for those impacted by gendered violence; and an equitable approach to addressing gendered violence.
The rally heard that marginalised communities are more likely to suffer the impact of patriarchal violence and are often unable to access support services. Disabled people must be given the autonomy to decide on their own reproductive health, especially around issues of abortion, contraception and sterilisation.
鈥淭he situation surrounding gendered violence is dire,鈥 GRANT spokesperson George said.
鈥淭he number of women killed this year has more than doubled compared to last year. This rally serves as a powerful reminder that we all have a responsibility to challenge the systems that allow gendered violence to persist. We are here to demand change from our leaders, our communities and from ourselves.鈥