A range of activities will get underway this week in Latrobe City as part of the 16 Days of Activism campaign.
Let's Chat Gippsland is this year's regional campaign theme, which is driven by the United Nations and will be shared by a range of local organisations.
Starting from 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women until 10 December, International Human Rights Day, the campaign is an opportunity for communities across Gippsland to reject violence and have conversations about prevention.
Activities taking place in Latrobe City include:
- A walk for equality at Latrobe Regional Hospital on Friday 25 November at 2pm, with members of the Deakin Melbourne Boomers.
- Special screenings of the Deakin Melbourne Boomers documentary series 'Sidelined' at Moe Library.
- The 'Girls Can't Surf' Artwork Exhibition at Gippsland Regional Aquatic Centre (GRAC) and Latrobe Leisure Moe Newborough, Morwell and Churchill.
- Displays and information about preventing gender-based violence at all Latrobe Libraries branches.
Mayor of Latrobe City Cr Kellie O'Callaghan encouraged the community to join the conversation and take steps to end gender-based violence.
"This is a great opportunity to explore the drivers of violence against women and gender-based violence and learn how we each as individuals and as a whole community can play a part in ending it.
"Latrobe City Council acknowledges its role in leading this conversation and its commitment to gender equality and creating safe communities. We hope our community will take the opportunity to be part of these activities, which aim to create space for important conversations and learning," said the Mayor.
The 16 Days of Activism campaign forms part of Living Well Latrobe - Our Community's Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan, which includes actions to work with the community and partners to end gender-based violence.
Latrobe City Council has also endorsed a Gender Equality Leadership Statement and in line with the Gender Equality Act 2020, has developed a Gender Equality Action Plan.
