Dealing with violence against women; Partnership is relevant
On the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, we are reminded of the horrific acts of violence against women that occur every day in Australia, in Africa and across the world.
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Violence against women persists as one of the most heinous and prevalent human rights abuses.
It affects not only the direct victims but also their children, families and communities. It is a burden on national economies, as well as a barrier to lasting peace and a threat to sustainable national development. While there is no shortage of good work being done in every country, the statistics remain deeply disturbing, and the impact of violence on individual lives and on the well-being of our communities is devastating. Globally, more than one in every three women has been beaten, coerced into sex, or abused in some other way, most often by someone she knows, including her husband or another male family member.
Situation in Australia
In Australia, one woman is killed every week by a current or former partner. In some parts of Africa, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), over two million girls are at risk of suffering from female genital cutting, a form of violence going beyond beatings.
Evidence from the international level shows we can create the change necessary to prevent violence against women and their children. To do this, we must address the attitudes and behaviours that perpetuate, justify, excuse and fail to counter such violence. Recognising that violence against women is an issue that affects women and girls around the world, Australia is committed to supporting and partnering with other countries to end violence against women.
Times of conflict
Women are particularly susceptible to violence during times of conflict, emergencies and crisis. This is why Australia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Hon. Julie Bishop MP, is a champion of the United Kingdom’s Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative. It is also why Australia is active at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to promote the Women, Peace and Security agenda.
In October this year, Australia’s Ambassador for Women and Girls, Natasha Stott Despoja, attended the UNSC Open Debate on Women, Peace and Security, drawing attention to the particular vulnerability of women and girls displaced by conflict and calling for an end to sexual violence in conflict. Each individual, community and government has a responsibility to speak out against violence against women. In our workplaces, in our schools and universities, in our communities and in our homes, we must all say “enough”.
Australia’s Prime Minister , the Hon. Tony Abbott, MP, is leading by example as a White Ribbon Ambassador. At the highest level of the Australian Government, he has made it clear that Australia has zero tolerance for violence against women.
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Projects across West Africa
Australia supports diverse projects across West Africa such as the Association Guinéenne des Assistantes Sociales (AGUIAS) in the fight against the abuse of women in Guinea, as well as the West African Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP) project of combating violence against women and enhancing women’s livelihood in Côte d’Ivoire’s Guemon region. But Australia is active all over the world. We have contributed more than AU D30 million to ending violence against women and girls in Pakistan and Afghanistan since 2013, providing services for women and engaging with men, religious and community leaders to challenge attitudes and behaviours.
In Fiji, Australia has supported the Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre since its establishment in 1984 to provide counselling and support services to over 35,000 new clients and 41,000 repeat clients. Our collective efforts are needed to achieve profound and lasting change around the world; not just for the benefit of women and girls, but for all of us.