One Too Many: Honoring Women Losers to Male Violence

On November 25, International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women marks the beginning of 16 days of activism against Gender-Based ViolenceBoth in Australia and around the world.

As in previous years, this year’s International Day will mark the start of the UNiTE campaign, which culminates on International Human Rights Day (10 December) and encompasses 16 days of activism highlighting the fact that gender-based violence is a fundamental human rights violation. .

What is 16 Days of Activism?

UN Women runs the UNITE campaign every year – 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence. The campaign calls on decision-makers around the world to reinvigorate their commitments, responsibilities and actions.

This year’s theme is ‘A woman is killed every 10 minutes #NoExcuses‘ aims to draw attention to the alarming escalation of violence against women around the world.

Accordingly UN global dataIn 2023, a woman is killed every 10 minutes; An estimated 736 million women (almost one-third) have experienced physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence, non-partner violence, or both, at least once in their lives.

UN Women She founded the initiative to combat gender-based violence by focusing on three key actions: Ending impunity by advocating for perpetrators to be held accountable; Adopting and implementing National Action Plans to assist government policy; Investing in prevention and women’s rights organizations.

This year thousands of people gathered in the Melbourne CBD for the March Against Domestic Violence on Friday 22 November. Event organized by Respect VictoriaIt signaled the start of 16 Days of Activism in Australia as a call to action for everyone to stand in solidarity with the victim survivors.

The incident also took place the same week news broke about the alleged murders of 19-year-olds Isla Bell and Vicky Van Aiken.

Bell’s family members attended the March Against Domestic Violence just two days after her body was reported at a tip-off in Dandenong.

The teenager had been missing for six and a half weeks after leaving his home on October 4 and never returning.

Marat Ganiev, 53, facing court An investigation has been launched into Bell’s murder against a second man, 57-year-old Eyal Yaffe, who is accused of aiding Ganiev.

While police previously said there was “no evidence of foul play”, Bell’s mother had repeatedly appealed to the public for help locating her daughter.

Bell’s uncle during the event last Friday read a Facebook post In the name of Bell’s mother, Justine Spokes.

In her post, she expressed her “crippling” pain and lamented the state of inequality women still find themselves in.

“We live in a world where women’s suffering is hard to bear. A society that tells them that they are strong and that they must continue to martyr themselves in order to be worthy of even the slightest praise.”

Victorian Family Violence Prevention Minister Vicki Ward also in the name for The 16-day momentum will continue after the official procedures end.

“The March Against Domestic Violence is about standing with victim survivors; “We draw a line and hold accountable those who choose to use violence.”

“Enough is enough, we must continue to build long-term cultural change to end violence once and for all.”

Why is it important?

according to ABCAccording to the organization that tracks cases of violence against women caused by men, it is claimed that 56 women have been killed so far in 2024. This number means that, on average, more than one woman is killed per week. But, reporting Approximately exact numbers may vary depending on various qualifiers.

Grassroots organizations such as Destroy the Jointwhose research group Counting Dead Women Australia keeps annual records women killed by violencelists the number for the year to date (November 20) as 66. Red Heart Campaign and Australian Femicide Watchfounded by journalist Sherele MoodyWe also track and monitor the killing of women and children. Each of these platforms – and the teams behind them – work tirelessly to document deaths that often go unacknowledged or unreported by mainstream news organisations, bringing to light the sad reality facing Australian women.

And while reporting around domestic violence casesintimate or family violence and male violence against women are increasing, still exist lots of work to do.

Karen Bevan, chief executive of the advocacy group Full Stop Australiasaid the ABC available statistics still fail to tell the full story.

“We know that for every woman killed, there are many more women who are afraid today, tomorrow and yesterday, who are exposed to violence and who are afraid for their children. and where their children are afraid,” he said.

We know that violence against women occurs in all communities and cultures, but in Australia in particular, the statistics paint a sad picture.

• Two out of every five women, or 39 percent, have been exposed to violence since the age of 15.
• 4,650 women aged 15 and over (an average of 13 women per day) were hospitalized due to domestic and family violence.
• Aboriginal and Torres Heterosexual Islander women They are 31 times more likely to be hospitalized for domestic violence-related assaults.
• Women with disabilities are twice as likely to experience sexual violence as women without disabilities.
• Intimate partner violence in Australia causes more deaths, illness and disability in women aged 15 to 44. than others Preventable risk factor.

According to data compiled by Our watchH

Eliminating Violence Against Women in Australia

Femicide or gender-based murder is the most extreme manifestation of gender-based violence against women, and although not all disrespect towards women leads to violence, all violence against women begins with disrespect.

It is clear that the political, social and cultural climate of impunity is having devastating effects around the world as we see an increase in the normalization of violence, from domestic violence to workplace harassment, from public safety violations to technology-facilitated violence against women.

Dr Tessa Boyd-Caine, CEO of Australia’s National Women’s Safety Research Organisation. marie claire with like-minded people advocates and change makers To discuss what the path to eliminating violence against women might look like.

He touched on Australia’s difference in attitudes towards domestic violence and reiterated the importance of collective responsibility.

“Our latest survey found that 91 per cent of people agree that violence is a problem in Australia, but only 47 per cent of people believe violence is happening in their suburb. This is a huge problem.”

“It will take all of us to see change and everyone has a role to play. As a friend, having a non-judgmental conversation, or as someone who comes into contact with children and families in the service setting, it is your job to consider how you can use this role to check that people are safe. The relationships and connections people have are critical lifelines.”

Earlier this year Prime Minister Albanese announced a new set of strategies to prevent domestic and family violence. National Plan to End Violence Against Women and Children 2022-2032 He outlined the key areas of government focus, including coercive control, intimate partner homicide, sexual violence and harassment, pornography, financial exploitation and technology-facilitated abuse.

Not All Men…

The challenging target of ending gender-based violence in a generation has not gone unnoticed by Federal Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth.

In a podcast interview Guard On November 23, Rishworth explains the importance of global initiatives such as the 16 Days of Activism in raising the issue both internationally and locally.

“It’s really hard to hear the statistics, but it’s also important that we talk about these statistics, because these are the lives, the lives of women, and the lives of not only those who are murdered, but also those who are subjected to domestic and family violence. because it not only affects individuals, but it also affects families and spreads through communities.”

The minister also touched on the difference in attitudes and increasing misogyny in Australia following an increase in online rhetoric specifically targeting women.

We’re talking about the government’s Stop at Start campaign, which was created in response to the growing climate of disrespect in young male-dominated digital spaces, which is now being intensified by events around the world. US electionRishworth highlighted the challenges faced.

“What is our Stop the campaign at start Research has shown that we see this online misogyny, both direct misogyny and casual misogyny online. says. “In fact, when you think about the world in which some of our young people enter the internet, there are attitudes that tolerate both direct misogyny and violence. “This is quite important.”

Criminologist and former NSW Police officer Dr Vincent Hurley agrees with the need to reorient men and engage them in the conversation at large.

“We need men, especially boys, to join this conversation if we are going to see change.”

“We need to turn the situation around so that all this women’s shelters Since the infrastructure already exists, it is handed over to male criminals. Women should not have to leave their homes. Even if there is one person who can be replaced and that person mentors someone else, that has to be a good thing.”

This year, The focus of our watch At the center of 16 Days of Activism impressing men and boys in preventing violence against women – “It starts with men. “Everything starts with you.”

“Men have a vital responsibility in preventing violence against women. Breaking cycles of violence and transforming gender norms is a role that everyone, especially men, can participate in. “This is key to building a culture of respect and equality throughout society.”