Commission marks International Day to Eliminate Violence Against Women and 16 Days campaign

In order to draw attention to the global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence and the International Day to Eliminate Violence Against Women, Sex Discrimination Commissioner, Elizabeth Broderick, has launched an electronic information and action initiative on the Australian Human Rights Commission’s Something in Common website.

“Violence against women, including domestic and family violence, is an appalling violation of human rights and is perhaps the ultimate expression of gender inequality experienced by women,” said Commissioner Broderick.

“Our contribution to the 16 Days campaign and the International Day is designed to highlight specific aspects of the work in which the Commission is involved to address violence against women and provide simple examples of action that everyone can undertake.”

During the 16 days, the Commission’s Something in Common website will feature articles about various aspects of violence against women, including domestic violence and the workplace, violence and women from migrant and refugee communities, domestic violence and homelessness and domestic violence in LGBTI relationships.

“These articles will not only offer information about the particular area, but actions that can be  taken in relation to these situations, as well as locations to find further information,” Commissioner Broderick said. “I will also use twitter to promote these articles and facts.”

The worldwide 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence campaign originated from the first Women’s Global Leadership Institute, coordinated by the Center for Women’s Global Leadership in 1991. It symbolically runs from the International Day Against Violence Against Women on 25 November to International Human Rights Day on December 10.

In addition, as part of the Commission’s efforts to honour and highlight the International Day, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner, Mick Gooda, and Disability Discrimination Commissioner, Graeme Innes, are White Ribbon Ambassadors for the male-led White Ribbon campaign to prevent male violence against women.

“Men from all backgrounds and life experiences have a vital role to play in encouraging other men to stand up against violence against women,” said Commissioner Gooda.

“As a man, I support and encourage all women and men who are working so hard to try and stop this worst of breaches of the human rights of women,” Commissioner Innes said.

The Commission’s 16 Days initiative is online at somethingincommon.gov.au.