Victoria University is proud to take part in the 16 days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence – an annual, global campaign with various events and presentations on the theme.

The event takes place between two important worldwide rights-based days:

Each year, we organise and participate in rallies, seminars and more in support of a fair and safe world for the VU community, and all women.

Together, we can help make a difference. By each taking action, we show our colleagues, students and the community that we are committed to preventing gender-based violence and improving gender equality for everyone.

VU staff, students hold 'gender-based violence, VU says no!' sign

Activities in 2022

‘Beyond Stereotypes’ Photo Project

The Preventing Violence Together regional partnership, of which VU is a member, has organised a photo competition showcasing healthy masculinity. Submit a photo to raise awareness and promote positive and respectful ways of being a man in the world today. The photos will be shared on social media throughout the 16 Days of Activism and there are prizes to be shared as well.

MORE INFO & SUBMIT PHOTO

 

Walk Against Family Violence

Friday 25 November, 11.00am, outside Parliament House, Melbourne

VU students and colleagues walked in the annual Safe Steps Walk Against Family Violence. This event took place in person again for the first time since 2019.

 

Free student workshop: Unpacking the ‘Man Box’

Tuesday 29 November, 11.00am—2.00pm, Footscray Park campus

Are you frustrated by unhealthy masculine stereotypes? Join this free workshop, presented by The Men’s Project of Jesuit Social Services, to discuss and learn more. Open to all VU students:

register

(If you are a VU staff member and would like to attend an online workshop about the Man Box,, please email respect.responsibility@vu.edu.au before 30 November.)

 

International Day for People With a Disability: Film screening

Wednesday 30 November, 11.30—2.30pm, Footscray Park campus

Join us for a special screening of Defiant Lives, a celebration of the most impressive activists you’ve never heard of. The film tells the story of the rise and fight of the disability rights movement in the United States, Britain and Australia, and will be followed by a Q&A with the film’s producer, Liz Burke.

Sunflower badges and lanyards will be available for participants to take away from the session.

Register

 

World AIDS Day

As a member of ACON’s Pride in Diversity program, VU would like to invite you to the World AIDS Day Forum 2022.

Date and time: 30 November, 12—1pm

Where: online

What: This is a live online community discussion. World AIDS Day is an opportunity to reflect on how far ACON has come and our next steps. This online discussion and information session will explore the current state of HIV in Australia. Hear the latest developments in HIV prevention and treatment and learn more about ending HIV stigma and standing with people living with HIV. Health experts and community voices will share their stories and insights.

Register

 

Free staff workshop: Unpacking the Man Box

Friday 2 December, 9.30am—12.30pm, online

Join staff from organisations across the western region of Melbourne at this free workshop, presented by The Men’s Project of Jesuit Social Services. Topics covered include the link between gender stereotypes and violence, and breaking free from unhealthy stereotypes:

register

 

Free staff workshop: Gender, money and financial empowerment

Monday 5 December, 12.30—2.00pm, Footscray Park campus

If thinking about money or superannuation makes you feel hopeless or stressed, this could be the session for you.

More info and register

 

Panel presentation: Growing Forward: Creating progressive, inclusive classrooms

Wednesday 7 December, 12.45pm, City Tower campus

How do you know if your curriculum content and teaching methods really represent and welcome all your students? 

If you haven’t sought out an awareness and competencies in cultural, gender, disability and LGBTQIA+ representation, knowledges and access needs, then the answer may be that you don’t know. 

Many of our VU academic staff are excelling in creating content that goes beyond compliance, is truly contemporary and leaves no-one behind. Join this panel of teachers as they talk about breaking down the barriers of exclusionary content and inaccessible pedagogy to create progressive classrooms that are for everyone. 

The panel will conclude with closing remarks from our Vice-Chancellor and a lunch to celebrate the Learning and Teaching Symposium. 

 

Unable to attend in person?

Check out our online training for safety, equality and respect, or try our new online Privilege Walk.

man vacuuming in his house with baby strapped to his chest

Activities in 2021

Students and staff joined together on 25 November 2021 to paint the RESPECT mural (pictured). The mural is a powerful statement of the University’s commitment to progressive inclusivity, and to ending violence and discrimination.

The Vice-Chancellor's Leadership event on 1 December officially launched the mural and explored nuances of ending gender-based violence with incredible guest speakers Kate Phillips and Russell Vickery. 

Other events that took place during the 16-day campaign included:

RESPECT Mural - Transcript

Activities in 2020

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, in 2020 all events were held online.

Activities included:

Marian Cronin Respect & Responsibility Manager

Activities in 2019

VU participated in the 16 Days of Activism for the third year in a row in 2019.

Students and staff were encouraged to take part in the following activities:

  • Walk Against Family Violence (Monday 25 November)
  • registration for the 16 Day Activist Challenge, coordinated by Women’s Health West - each day participants were challenged to learn about an aspect of gender inequality
  • community 16 Days of Activism events across the west of Melbourne.

For more information, please contact the Respect and Responsibility program:

Email: respect.responsibility@vu.edu.au
Phone: +61 3 9919 5786

Highlights of VU's 16 Days of Activism 2018

In 2018, Victoria University participated for the second time in the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence – with a theme of #HearMeToo.

We provided a diverse program of events to support gender equality and prevent violence against women.

VU staff and students, and community members were invited to participate in this free program of events.

Around 50 VU staff and students joined the 10th Walk Against Family Violence, held to remember the countless people who have lost their lives to family violence, and stand in solidarity with both survivors and those who continue to experience abuse.

The Walk Against Family Violence took place in pouring rain, and it was inspirational to see so many staff and students prepared to brave the elements to be part of it. We marched with a banner that the Student Reference Group for Gender Equality had painted.

Two seminars, focusing on promoting women’s independence and decision-making through financial empowerment, were held at VU @ Metro West, and VU City Flinders campus.

Speakers from UniSuper shared common financial pitfalls for women, while a speaker from WIRE drew out the financial aspects of abusive relationships.

This forum featured Aboriginal women from Melbourne’s western suburbs speaking about keeping culture strong and building connected communities.

Speakers included:

  • Aunty Joyce Cooper
  • Darlene Babinall
  • Rebecca Monohan.

Every year, the Vice-Chancellor hosts a leadership event during the 16 Days of Activism.

At the 2018 luncheon, held by former Vice Chancellor Professor Peter Dawkins, keynote speaker Tasneem Chopra spoke of the need to challenge sexist attitudes and structures 'from grassroots to governance'. Her speech was very well-received by the audience of student activists, staff members, university leaders and community partners.

#BreakBoundaries is a filmmaking group composed of graduates from Footscray AMES’s Preventing Violence Against Women Leadership Course.

They have made a moving series of short films called Challenging Everyday Sexism.

Watch one of the short films.

On International Human Rights Day, 10 December, we concluded our program of events with an uplifting group singing event. We rehearsed songs related to human rights and gender equality, and took them to the streets of Footscray!

Child, women paint gender activism banner