16 Days of Activism: what does gender equality mean to you?

16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence (’16 Days’) is a global campaign to raise awareness about violence against women and its impact on a woman’s physical, psychological, social and spiritual well-being.

The 16 Days begin on November 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, and ends on December 10, International Human Rights Day. These dates were chosen to highlight that violence against women is a human rights abuse.

ECLC is proud to support #GE4Me, the 16 Days campaign led by Women’s Health East, which focuses on what gender equality means to the many diverse groups that shape Melbourne’s Eastern Metropolitan Region

While violence against women is prevalent and serious, it is also preventable. To do this, we must address the underlying cause of violence against women – gender inequality. The key to ending violence against women is gender equality.

Violence against women

Men’s violence against women is now widely recognised as a global problem and one of the most widespread violations of human rights. Research indicates that since the age of fifteen, 1 in 5 Australian women have experienced sexual violence and 1 in 3 women physical violence, and over half of all women have experienced at least one incident of physical or sexual violence in their lifetime.

Violence against women affects all communities; however, other forms of inequality and discrimination, such as racism, discrimination against people with disabilities or discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity, increase the probability of violence for some groups of women. Efforts to prevent violence against women must consider these other intersecting forms of disadvantage in order to be effective.

What is gender in/equality?

Gender equality is the view that everyone should receive equal treatment and not be discriminated against based on their gender. Gender equality is achieved when people are able to access and enjoy the same rewards, resources and opportunities regardless of their gender.

Why is gender equality so important in order to end violence?

There is a strong link between violence against women and the inequalities ingrained in society. Research has shown a strong association between sexist attitudes, the unequal status of women in society and the perpetration of violence against women.

Gender inequality can also lead to depression and anxiety, low self-esteem and body image issues, financial exclusion, poor health literacy and poverty, which in turn can lead to a higher exposure to risk factors for poor health and higher prevalence of chronic disease including heart disease, cancer, liver disease, respiratory disease and Type 2 Diabetes.

#GE4Me – Gender Equality for Me

In order to achieve gender equality, we must recognise that gender inequality affects us all, regardless of our age, ability, gender or culture. It is then that we can advocate for change.

What does gender equality mean to you? Join the #GE4Me hashtag on social media by sharing your own message about gender equality or one of WHE’s memes.

By participating, your message helps to shape the conversation around what needs to change in order to achieve gender equality.