Victoria University is proud to take part in the 16 days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence – an annual, global campaign with various events and presentations on the theme.

The event takes place between two important worldwide rights-based days:

Each year, we organise and participate in rallies, seminars and more in support of a fair and safe world for the VU community, and all women.

VU staff, students hold 'gender-based violence, VU says no!' sign

Activities in 2021

Students and staff joined together on 25 November 2021 to paint the RESPECT mural (pictured). The mural is a powerful statement of the University’s commitment to progressive inclusivity, and to ending violence and discrimination.

The Vice-Chancellor's Leadership event on 1 December officially launched the mural and explored nuances of ending gender-based violence with incredible guest speakers Kate Phillips and Russell Vickery. 

Other events taking place during the 16-day campaign include:

Together, we can help make a difference. By each taking action, we show our colleagues, students and the community that we are committed to preventing gender-based violence and improving gender equality for everyone.

A smiling student is wearing an apron. They are standing, painbrush poised, at a green and pink mural saying 'RESPECT' in large letters. mural

Activities in 2020

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, in 2020 all events were held online.

Activities included:

Marian Cronin Respect & Responsibility Manager

Activities in 2019

VU participated in the 16 Days of Activism for the third year in a row in 2019.

Students and staff were encouraged to take part in the following activities:

  • Walk Against Family Violence (Monday 25 November)
  • registration for the 16 Day Activist Challenge, coordinated by Women’s Health West - each day participants were challenged to learn about an aspect of gender inequality
  • community 16 Days of Activism events across the west of Melbourne.

For more information, please contact the Respect and Responsibility program:

Email: [email protected]
Phone: +61 3 9919 5786

Highlights of VU's 16 Days of Activism 2018

In 2018, Victoria University participated for the second time in the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence – with a theme of #HearMeToo.

We provided a diverse program of events to support gender equality and prevent violence against women.

VU staff and students, and community members were invited to participate in this free program of events.

Around 50 VU staff and students joined the 10th Walk Against Family Violence, held to remember the countless people who have lost their lives to family violence, and stand in solidarity with both survivors and those who continue to experience abuse.

The Walk Against Family Violence took place in pouring rain, and it was inspirational to see so many staff and students prepared to brave the elements to be part of it. We marched with a banner that the Student Reference Group for Gender Equality had painted.

Two seminars, focusing on promoting women’s independence and decision-making through financial empowerment, were held at VU @ Metro West, and VU City Flinders campus.

Speakers from UniSuper shared common financial pitfalls for women, while a speaker from WIRE drew out the financial aspects of abusive relationships.

This forum featured Aboriginal women from Melbourne’s western suburbs speaking about keeping culture strong and building connected communities.

Speakers included:

  • Aunty Joyce Cooper
  • Darlene Babinall
  • Rebecca Monohan.

Every year, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Peter Dawkins, hosts a leadership event during the 16 Days of Activism.

At the 2018 luncheon, keynote speaker Tasneem Chopra spoke of the need to challenge sexist attitudes and structures 'from grassroots to governance'. Her speech was very well-received by the audience of student activists, staff members, university leaders and community partners.

#BreakBoundaries is a filmmaking group composed of graduates from Footscray AMES’s Preventing Violence Against Women Leadership Course.

They have made a moving series of short films called Challenging Everyday Sexism.

Watch one of the short films.

On International Human Rights Day, 10 December, we concluded our program of events with an uplifting group singing event. We rehearsed songs related to human rights and gender equality, and took them to the streets of Footscray!

Child, women paint gender activism banner