By Alesha Capone
The Werribee Civic Centre is being lit in orange to raise awareness of gender-based violence.
Wyndham council has installed orange lights on the civic building, as part of the Centre for Women’s Global Leadership campaign, 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, which is observed across the globe from November 25 to December 10.
The campaign encourages participants to take part in educational activities that support action on gender equity, as a building block to prevent violence against women.
Wyndham’s safer communities portfolio holder, Cr Kim McAliney, said violence against women and sexual harassment should never be tolerated.
“One woman is killed by a partner every nine days in Australia, and one in six women have experienced physical or sexual violence by a current or ex-partner since the age of 15,” Cr McAliney said.
“How we begin is calling out gender inequality within our friendship groups, family, our workplace and the community and of course getting help and support for women who you believe may be in abusive relationships.
“A small contribution everyone can make is to paint a nail orange in support of the campaign.”
As part of the 16 Days campaign, Wyndham council will be hosting a panel discussion before the screening of the new Charlie’s Angels film, where it will analyse the movie under a gender lens.
The free event will be held at Village Cinema Werribee, November 26 from 6.30pm to 10pm and includes access to the movie, plus a drink and popcorn.
See wyndham16daysofactivismfilmscreening.eventbrite.com to register for the event, or 16daysactivist.whwest.org.au/register/ for details of the 16 Days campaign.
