28 November 2019
On the second day of the 16 Days of Activism national campaign against gender-based violence and the day Australia’s first Gender Equality Bill was introduced to the Victorian Parliament, the Mornington Peninsula Shire Council has adopted its new Gender Equality Strategy.
The Gender Equality Strategy 2020-30 contains the Shire’s objectives and strategies aimed at improving gender equality and reducing violence against women and their children – both within the Shire’s workforce and the community.
The Strategy will be launched on International Women’s Day and a detailed annual action plan will be developed and presented to Council in 2020.
The Gender Equality Strategy has a primary prevention approach, which means stopping violence before it occurs by promoting women’s independence and decision-making; challenging gender stereotypes and roles; strengthening positive, equal and respectful relationships; and challenging the condoning of violence against women.
Councillor Mayor Sam Hearn said: “The Royal Commission into Family Violence states family violence is a gendered crime. This means ending violence against women requires addressing gender inequality in all its forms – in the workplace, school yards, on television screens and on sporting fields.
“The Shire has a crucial role to play by supporting local services with early intervention and response. We need to change social norms that lead to harmful gender inequities. If we can it will make life better for both women and men in our society.”
Chairperson of the Mornington Peninsula Health and Wellbeing Committee and Seawinds Councillor Antonella Celi said: “The Shire encourages respectful relationships between all members of the community and promotes the rights of everyone to live in an inclusive, respectful environment free from violence.
“Feedback from our community shows that 62% of respondents identify gender inequality as one of the main causes of violence against women and 68% of the people we heard from didn’t feel that all men and women are respected equally in our community.
“The Shire’s Gender Equality Strategy aims to provide opportunities for all women, men and children to participate equally in all spheres of public life and affirms the Shire’s commitment to the prevention of family violence within our community.”
The Strategy was developed using the OurWatch National Framework, research and extensive community consultation and identified six key areas for action:
- Education and Training
- Work and Economic Security
- Health, Safety and Wellbeing
- Leadership and Representation
- Sport and Recreation
- Media Arts and Culture
To view the Gender Equality Strategy, visit: mornpen.vic.gov.au/genderequality
Read more about Our Watch at ourwatch.org.au
Photo: Mayor Councillor Sam Hearn with Councillors (left to right) Simon Brooks, David Gill, Kate Roper, Antonella Celi, and Rosie Clark supporting the 16 Days Of Activism campaign against gender-based violence.
