A rally will be held in Geelong this Saturday to remember and raise awareness of women and children killed during acts of violence.
Geelong’s ‘She Matters; Stop Killing Women Rally’ will be held at Market Square Mall along Little Malop Street from 10.30am on March 15.
️National rally coordinator Sherele Moody said 14 women and four children have been killed in Australia this year, with 103 women and 16 children killed last year.
“I predict the number of women lost to violence will climb this year and continue increasing as we see violent and misogynistic men platformed and normalised,” she said.
“We will continue pressuring political candidates and parties to take a stand against femicide, domestic violence, sexual assault, harassment, and all forms of gender-based violence.
“One woman killed is one too many. 117 (deaths) in 14-and-a-half months is Australia’s shame, an epidemic and clear and disturbing evidence of violence increasing in our society.
“The goal is to unite all Australians in the fight to end misogyny and ensure safety for every woman… We deserve to live life safe from violence, harassment and abuse, it’s time to change the story.”
Ms Moody said that every woman killed since the start of last year would be honoured and commemorated during the rallies.
The Geelong event is among 14 rallies that will occur across the country to demand action from political leaders to protect women and children from all forms of violence.
The rallies will call on all governments to roll out meaningful policies to protect women and girls and to boost women’s safety budgets.
Protestors will also call for more ethical victim-focused trauma media reporting and for men to become key contributors in ending gendered violence.
