News

What does it cost?

Data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows that the average man working full time earns 18.2% or $283.20 more than the average full time working woman. Between November 2013 and May 2014, men’s salaries increased an average of $24.90 per week and women’s increased by only $7.09. The figures show us, that overall, women earn significantly less than men. This has significant impact on their financial security over their lifetimes.

A new joint publication by VicHealth, OurWatch and PwC, A high price to pay: the economic case for preventing violence against women shows that violence against women and their children is costing Australia $21.6 billion each year.

You might not see the bruises

You might not see the bruises! There are different types of family violence that are not necessarily physical. People may experience:

• Verbal abuse - continual ‘put downs’ and humiliation, either privately or publicly, with attacks following clear themes that focus on intelligence, sexuality, body image and capacity as a parent and spouse.
• Emotional abuse - blaming the victim for all problems in the relationship, constantly comparing the victim with others to undermine self-esteem and self-worth, sporadic sulking, withdrawing all interest and engagement (eg weeks of silence). 
• Social abuse - systematic isolation from family and friends through techniques such as ongoing rudeness to family and friends, moving to locations where the victim knows nobody, and forbidding or physically preventing the victim from going out and meeting people — in effect, imprisonment. 

Men and Boys in Action

Men and boys have an important role to play in ending violence against women. The road towards a world without violence requires transforming men’s attitudes, beliefs and behaviours.

Many men are often silent in the face of violence, sexual assault or attitudes which excuse or minimise violence and control in relationships. To prevent violence against women, men and boys have to challenge the beliefs and behaviours that excuse, justify or condone violence and inequality.

International Women Human Rights Defenders Day

Today we commemorate the activism, advocacy and courageous acts of resistance of women human rights defenders.

So, why do we single out women human rights defenders specifically? Well, women human rights defenders are not only subjected to the same types of risks as any other human rights defender; including threats, death threats, imprisonment, harassment, stigmatisation, torture and even death; but they are also subjected to gender-specific threats and gender-specific violence. Women human rights defenders are often advocating issues that challenge traditional notions of family and gender roles in society. Gender inequality is at the heart of violations against women human rights defenders.

Gender Equality Champions

It is critical that we address gender stereotypes and promote changes in community attitudes in order to prevent violence against women and their children. Gender inequality not only increases the risks of women experiencing violence from men it also makes it more difficult for vulnerable people to seek protection when they need it.

Women and Poverty

We know that unequal access to power and resources is the main cause of violence against women and that economic participation is a key indicator of gender equality. So, what does this look like here in Australia? Well, not so great. Women are significantly more likely to be living in poverty than men, with 14.7% of women compared with 13% of all men experiencing poverty in 2011-12. On average, women need to work 65 extra days in a year to earn the same as men. 

On a local level, 42% of women in the City of Kingston earn less thatn $400 per week compared to 28% of men.