News

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.

Education and Training for Women

We all know that education for all is a fundamental human right – but what has it got to do with violence against women? Well, quite a lot actually. Education and training play a significant role in changing harmful and discriminatory gender stereotypes that promote or condone violence against women. In Bayside 67% of males have completed Year 12 (or equivalent) compared to 63% of females.

International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women

Welcome to the first day of the 16 Days of Activism. Today we celebrate the International Day of the Elimination of Violence against Women. One in three Australian women has experienced physical violence by a current or former partner, since the age of 15 years. One woman dies at the hands of a current or former partner almost every week in Australia.

Did you know that within the catchment of Southern Melbourne PCP between 2010 and 2014 we have seen an increase in family violence incidents ranging from 39 % in City of Port Phillip to a massive 82.3 % increase in the City of Bayside? This is the highest in our region. 

Members of Southern Melbourne PCP's Family Violence Working Group have decided to #StartTheConversation in our community and flood social media to connect with as many of our colleagues and community members as possible during the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence. 

We knew we were onto a good thing when Mother Nature turned on the best weather we've had in 9 years for our Mental Health Week event on Friday October 9!

SMPCP's inaugural Fluro Friday, which celebrated Mental Health Week and expanded on the Celebrate Mental Health Walk of previous years, was both well attended and received by the community.

After introductory speeches by Kingston Mayor Geoff Gledhill and local MP Tim Richardson, retired MP, Neil Cole spoke openly of his experience with mental illness. The audience appreciated both his frankness and obvious example of living well with his illness. Speeches were interspersed with outdoor activities which included beach yoga, and Tai Chi.  By far the most popular option though was the stand up paddle boarding.

Southern Melbourne PCP is excited to invite community members to attend our first Fluro Friday community mental health promotion event. The core idea originated from the ‘One Wave is all it takes’ campaign based in NSW. This campaign aims to make the invisible - visible by asking people to wear fluro colours and talk about mental health. 

With the support of Mordialloc Life Saving Club, local Lions and Rotary clubs, Men's sheds and a wide range of health agencies the event will offer something for everyone.