The Geelong Women Unionists Network (GWUN) has called for more action on family and gendered violence, with a march and day-long conference planned for next weekend.
GWUN’s ‘weekend of action’ will begin Friday, October 27 with its Reclaim the Night march, which will begin at 5.30pm at Geelong Trades Hall before winding its way towards City Hall.
The following day’s conference, Ending Violence Against Women and Gender Diverse People, will also take place at the Trades Hall, beginning at 9.30am and concluding with dinner for attendees.
Guest speakers will include Arrernte writer and commentator Celeste Liddle, Community and Public Sector Union state and national secretary Karen Batt, as well as local politicians Christine Couzens, Sarah Hathway and Elise Wilkinson.
An unfunded grass roots organisation, GWUN has a history of effecting change to address systemic gender issues, such as striking the world-first paid family violence leave deal with the Surf Coast Shire in 2010.
GWUN co-convenor Adele Walsh said all members of the community were welcome to attend the weekend of action’s events.
“(GWUN) is a group of union women, but all of our events are open to the entire community,” Ms Walsh said.
“We welcome men, people of all genders, sexualities, orientations, cultures and backgrounds, and you don’t have to be a union member. There’s no pressure on anyone to do anything or join up to anything, just coming along and being part of the action is more than enough.
“If you’re interested in or if you care about women and women’s safety you are very, very welcome.”
While family and domestic violence affects all socioeconomic, demographic and gender groups, it is most commonly perpetrated against women by men, with the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare reporting 17 per cent of women have experienced violence or abuse at the hands of their partner since age 15.
Visit www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1120224 for tickets and more information on the Ending Violence Against Women and Gender Diverse People conference.
