Participants in the 2017 Walk Against Family Violence.
16 Days of Activism 2017
VU joins more than 3,700 organisations in more than 150 countries to participate in an international campaign to challenge violence against women and girls.
Thursday 2 November 2017
Victoria University will join 3,700 organisations in more than 150 countries to participate in an international campaign to challenge violence against women and girls.
The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence Against Women has been held every year since 1991, running from 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, to 10 December, International Human Rights Day.
VU’s participation reinforces VU’s commitment to the prevention of violence against women in its Respect and Responsibility Strategy, launched by the Vice Chancellor, Peter Dawkins, to the University community in August 2016.
This is the first year VU is participating in the 16 Days of Activism campaign, by joining forces and collaborating with other community organisations in Melbourne’s west.
VU’s Respect and Responsibility team will join VU staff and students, Footscray University Town, and community organisations to collaborate and align efforts around the 16 Days of Activism with the following objectives:
- raise awareness of the 16 days of activism campaign
- generate deeper insights into gender-based stereotypes
- generate awareness of gender-based violence prevention strategies and primary intervention
- deepen the understanding of the causes of violence against women
- collaborate to leverage their skills and experience in community-based campaigns
- engage broad and diverse participants.
VU's 16 Days of Activism 2017 Events
16 Days' Challenge
Register for the 16 Days Challenge to join Women’s Health West and other community partners in an online daily challenge to raise awareness and help prevent gender-based violence.
Walk against family violence
24 November, 1pm, Federation Square
This year the VU Respect & Responsibility unit invites you to join with them in the walk with the VU contingent in the Walk Against Family Violence, to take a stand against family violence in our community.
The VU contingent will meet prior to the event in the arcade of VU City Flinders Campus at 12:30pm-12:45pm.
Women as defendants & judges - past & present
29 November, 1-2pm, A413, Footscray Park Campus
Come our free Feminist Research Network lunchtime seminar - Women as defendants & judges - past & present. Hear Professor Kathy Laster, director of the Sir Zelman Cowan Centre, talk about women's relationship with the law.
Own it: Women’s financial empowerment seminars
These financial empowerment seminars focus on promoting women’s independence and decision-making through financial empowerment.
This seminar will run twice during the 16 days of activism:
- Local community, VU staff & students: Monday 4 December, 12-1.30pm, VU at MetroWest. A light lunch will be provided.
- VU staff & students: Wednesday 6 December, 3-4.30pm, Footscray Park Campus. Afternoon tea will be provided.
Game Changer conversation: What is Activism?
Wednesday 6 December, 6.00-7.30pm (pop-up bar from 5.30pm), VU at MetroWest
Join us for the What is Activism Game Changer conversation. An engaging panel of young and older activists will discuss their insights about activism, and the renewed interest in ways people can affect change. Activism is more important than ever in current political debates around climate change, migration, marriage equality and indigenous rights.
Preventing Violence Together – Leadership Breakfast in the West
Friday 8 December, 8.45-10.45am, VU at MetroWest
Invitation-only event. VU Vice Chancellor Peter Dawkins will host a leadership breakfast in the west to focus on the importance of preventing and eliminating gender-based violence.
Professor Dawkins will facilitate a panel discussion of key thought leaders to explore ways in which organisations and communities can collectively prevent gender-based violence and work to build more respectful and inclusive workplaces, communities and study environments.
The Men’s Thread exhibition
11-21 December, VU Whitten Oval, Footscray
Join us at the Men's Thread exhibition to see a series of needlepoint artworks created by men around the theme of respect. Exhibition launch: 11 December, 9.30-10.30am.
Contact numbers
If you need any help or support, you can use the following services:
- VU Safe App
- Security: +61 3 9919 4999 (students)
- Safer Community: +61 3 9919 5707 (students)
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP): 1300 327 288 (staff only).
