Protesters against gendered violence stood together on Parliament Lawns on December 10 to demand the federal government take it seriously.
The protest, organised by Grassroots Action Network Tasmania (GRANT), brought together researchers, victim-survivors, aid workers and activists to call for desperately needed action. It was part of a global action called “16 Days of Action against Gender-Based Violence”.
“I started this rally because one-in-10 men in Australia have committed a sexual offence against children,” GRANT spokesperson Olive said.
“After hearing this I knew that action was needed to make changes to prevent the next generation from facing the abuse that so many of us have already faced.”
Rally speakers said gendered violence is a “national emergency” and called on government institutions “to treat it as such”.
Specifically, they called for preventative measures: universal consent education in schools and workplaces; more comprehensive training for those working with vulnerable people; better support for victims/survivors, including government funding for organisations providing mental and physical health care and housing for those impacted by gendered violence; and an equitable approach to addressing gendered violence.
The rally heard that marginalised communities are more likely to suffer the impact of patriarchal violence and are often unable to access support services. Disabled people must be given the autonomy to decide on their own reproductive health, especially around issues of abortion, contraception and sterilisation.
“The situation surrounding gendered violence is dire,” GRANT spokesperson George said.
“The number of women killed this year has more than doubled compared to last year. This rally serves as a powerful reminder that we all have a responsibility to challenge the systems that allow gendered violence to persist. We are here to demand change from our leaders, our communities and from ourselves.”