Day 16 - International Human Rights Day
It’s simple – freedom from violence is a human right. Become a champion of this particular right.
Commemorate Human Rights Day
Victorian Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities
Day 15 - Write to your local paper about the issue
Suggest to councillors or your manager that you draft a letter to the local paper about how violence against women impacts on your community and what your local government is doing to prevent it.
Day 14 - Compassionate leave for workers experiencing domestic violence
After Surf Coast pioneered this initiative in Victoria, at least 5 other councils have adopted this strategy. Read what Minister Tanya Plibersek and other leading women said about workplace agreements which support prevention of violence. These short speeches offer inspiring arguments and possible “quoteable quotes” which could be used in our local government sector too:
Speech by Tanya Plibersek, Commonwealth Minister for Housing and Minister for the Status of Women
Speech by Elizabeth Broderick,Sex Discrimination Commissioner and Commissioner responsible for Age Discrimination
Speech by Ged Kearney, Federal Secretary of the Australian Nursing Federation
Day 13 - Target community grants to preventing violence against women
Include a special category in your community grant initiatives for projects which prevent violence against women, or alternatively, mail out applications to groups working to prevent family violence with an invitation to apply. Send an info request to the CASPN network via
email to see how others have gone about this.
(CASPN = Community and Social Planners Network)
Day 12 - Develop a ‘preventing violence against women action plan'
Make it more effective (and more fun) by calling together colleagues who can support No to Violence from across council.
Day 11 - Plan an audit of your local government policies and action
A good way to start preventing violence is to see what is already happening in your local government. This lets you take credit for what you are doing, work out what is missing. A number of local governments have tried this and there are some examples on the Local Government PVAW Project website.
Day 10 - How can you use your Council website
Achieve a first for your local government website. Can you get the front page of your website to highlight a short message or some help links about preventing violence against women? Join other leaders in local government to make this issue everyone’s issue. Let us know how you go.
Email
Linda Bennett
Day 9 - Check out this website to help you plan 2 actions over the next 12 months to prevent violence against women
The
Local Government Networking and Capacity Building Project website will help you identify two actions you can take with your local government to prevent violence against women.
Day 8 - Invite male colleagues to join the swear campaign
It’s easy and effective – invite male colleagues to join the White Ribbon
My Oath campaign with other famous men.
Day 7 - How can you increase your influence on this issue?
Make a list of the community committees and community leaders you can engage in discussion about how to prevent violence against women, e.g., Community Safety Committee, faith leaders, sports club committees, school principals, business associations, residents associations, your own councillors and officers.
Use this
template to make your own plan for the next six months.
Day 6 - Get short fact sheets about local governments preventing violence
The GLOVE project has produced four short and practical fact sheets to build your knowledge and expertise in this area:
Day 5 - Unearth a new White Ribbon Ambassador
Suggest to a male colleague or mate that they’d make a great Ambassador.
- Did you know that Nick Mazzarella, Major Works Manager at Darebin City Council, was awarded the 2010 White Ribbon Ambassador of the Year?
- Did you know that Peter Daglish Capital Works Officer, Maribyrnong City Council was a finalist in the 2011 Ambassador of the Year Awards
There are increasing numbers of Victorian local government men joining up.
Day 4 - Mayoral opportunity to lead the way
Has your council adopted a resolution to prevent violence against women? If not, how about asking your newly elected mayor to commit to adopting a resolution in her/his acceptance speech.
Here is the resolution passed by the VLGA Board on 18 November 2010
That the (VLGA Board) supports the goal of eliminating violence against women and the key role that local governments and their peak organisations can play in this work. Preventing violence against women is one of the key building blocks in strengthening communities and creating sustainable futures. Communities free of this insidious violence are more likely to be inclusive, diverse and dynamic. The (VLGA Board) undertakes to support the prevention of violence against women through its policy activities as appropriate and will receive an annual progress report which outlines (VLGA) action to date and proposed actions for the ensuing 12 months.
Day 3 - Book your place at the Local Government Promising Practice Forum
Date: Wed 14 December
Time: 12.30-5pm
Place: DHS 50 Lonsdale St Melbourne.
Enquiries: Via email to Sophie Gale
MAV is hosting Local Government and Community Partnerships Program to prevent violence against women, view the details here.
Day 2 - Get inspired! Visit the official White Ribbon website to purchase your white ribbons or bands
For lots of great looks, cool ideas and practical tools.
http://www.whiteribbon.org.au
Day 1 - Join us for a Human Rights / White Ribbon Day Morning Tea – Thurs 8 Dec 2011
Date: Thurs 8 December
Time: 10-11.30am
Place: VLGA Rear meeting rooms, 60L Leicester Street Carlton
Join us for a White Ribbon morning tea and hear what local governments are doing to help prevent violence against women, learn about the 16 days of action and share ideas with colleagues.
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