Training bystanders to “call out sexism” will become the job of a new local women’s organisation with a $100,000 state grant, the Andrews Government has announced.
Women’s Health and Wellbeing Barwon South West was one of 12 similar groups across Victoria to share equally in $1.2 million for “preventing family violence” and creating “gender equality”, the government said
Prevention of Family Violence Minister Gabrielle Williams announced the funding on Wednesday.
Women’s Health and Wellbeing Barwon South West would use its share on “vital work to support two primary-prevention-of-violence-against-women alliances to continue critical work”, the government said.
“These programs equip regional partners with the skills and confidence to work together toward a shared vision of ending family violence,” the government said.
“The funding to the 12 services will help promote gender equity, deliver bystander training to call out sexism, develop toolkits and support creation of gender equality policies in health services, councils, schools and community groups.”
The government described family violence as a “national emergency, with one woman killed at the hands of a current or former partner every week”.
Member for Geelong Christine Couzens welcomed the funding for the Barwon organisation.
“By helping local and regional partners work together, we’re promoting equality and respect for women in all areas of Victorian life,” she said.
“We all want a community where women and girls are safe and with this funding we are doing that work from the ground up.”
The government has allocated more than $2.7 billion to implement all 227 recommendations of its 2014 Australian-first Royal Commission into Family Violence.
Ms Williams said the latest round of funding would help women’s health services create a “grassroots culture change to stop the sexist attitudes that we know can lead to violence”.
