16 days of activism against gender-based violence runs annually from November 25 to December 10 coinciding with international day for the elimination of violence against women and international Human Rights Day.
This year’s theme was, “Safe Everywhere, Always”.
Acknowledging the subtlety and yet enormous impacts of financial abuse on women and gender-diverse people’s financial wellbeing, WIRE collaborated with external organisations to raise awareness of financial abuse and honoured the resilience and strength of victim survivors.
Our 16 Days campaign started by joining ‘Respect Victoria’s Walk Against Family Violence’ on November 22nd. On 26th November (International Economic Abuse Awareness Day), in partnership with Nicholes Family Lawyers, Jade Blakkarly, CEO at WIRE hosted a thought-provoking panel discussion in which victim survivors shared their lived experiences of financial abuse and how they took back their financial independence. Academic and practical information on money management and how to have money conversations with family and friends were also provided by professionals.
WIRE also partnered with the City of Greater Bendigo Council and hosted two expert panels at the Bendigo City Library. This activity expanded our reach in Bendigo through many connections, old and new. The “Family Violence and the Workplace” panel consisted of Tash from the Australian Services Union, Sonya from the Centre of Non-Violence and Roweena from Arc Justice. The panel gave insights to the impact family violence has on victims/survivors in the workforce. Lack of awareness about employment rights, stigma and shame are a major barrier to women and gender diverse people accessing Family Violence Leave entitlements.
The second panel titled ‘INVEST in Her Future’ consisted of Beck from Bendigo Skills and Jobs Centre, Andrea from Anglicare and Maria from Sisterworks. The discussion highlighted how fixed gender roles are a barrier for women and gender diverse people when faced with entering or re-entering the workforce to build economic independence. Beck’s beautiful definition of what a ‘career’ is:
“A lot of people have misconceptions about what a career is. A career used to refer to specific pathways to usually “prestigious” jobs, but that doesn’t accurately reflect the career journeys that people take these days.
These days a career refers to any work that you perform, whether paid or unpaid, any education or training you undertake, as well as your hobbies, your community engagement and your life commitments, like being a parent or carer. Everyone has a career. It’s their life story.”
We closed the campaign by delivering 2 interactive financial capability workshop: Money Mindset in part collaboration with Macedon Ranges Shire Council and Wyndham City. Both workshops were well received by the residents.
