16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence

Melton City Council will hold a range of events to help raise awareness and support the campaign for this year’s 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence.

The international campaign aims to strengthen action to end violence against women and girls around the world.  

More than 1 in 3 women have experienced men’s violence. On average, a woman is killed by a man she knows every 10 days, and in 2024 that number is much higher.

The campaign begins on the 25 November to coincide with International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and ends on 10 December, which marks Human Rights Day. 

Council encourages everyone to participate in the various activities being held throughout the campaign and help drive support for the elimination of violence against women and children in our communities. 

For the latest information visit the 16 Days of Activism page.

Monday 25 November

Webinar: Understanding Gender Based Violence 

Come along to this short and informative webinar hosted by African Youth Initiative and Girl Chat. This session will explore what gender-based violence (GBV) can look like, the impact it can have on individuals, families, and communities, and help you understand what you can do to help prevent it and support affected. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn how you can make a difference.  

• When: Monday 25 November
• Time: 6:00pm – 8:00pm  
• Where: Online 
• Cost: FREE 
• Register 
  
  

This gentle, trauma-sensitive session provides a safe space to reconnect with your body and embrace self-care. Explore mindful, accessible movements and grounding techniques, cultivating compassion and a sense of safety within yourself. 

Breaking the Silence: Bystander Power & Consent Awareness 

Are you a young person or parent who wants to learn more about navigating consent in relationships? Are you interested in becoming an active bystander to help prevent gender-based violence?  

Come along to this workshop hosted by African Youth Initiative and Girl Chat on understanding consent, the importance of boundaries in building healthy relationships, and practical ways to respond or intervene when you think something isn’t right.  

• When: Thursday 28 November
• Time: 6:00pm – 8:00pm  
• Where: Cobblebank Stadium Multipurpose Room 
• Cost: FREE 
• Register 
  
  

• When: Friday 29 November
• Time: 4:00pm – 6:30pm  
• Where: Bridge Road Children’s and Community Centre 
• Cost: FREE 
• Register 
  
  

Saturday 30 November

Everyday Heroes Art Project: Thornhill Park 

If your child flourishes when they get creative, they are invited to contribute to the creation of community artwork to celebrate our everyday heroes in the workforce.    

In this creative session your child will explore their dreams of future careers where the sky is the limit! They’ll learn basic techniques in the fun and vibrant cartooning art style and be invited to create their own artwork, giving them confidence to be who they want to be. These individual pieces will come together to form a larger scale artwork, which will be displayed at our community centres for everyone to enjoy.   

• When: Saturday 30 November
• Time: 10:30am – 12pm  
• Where: Thornhill Park Children’s and Community Centre 
• Cost: Free ($10 refundable booking fee)
• Register
  
  

 Redefining Gender Across Generations

Come along to this engagement activity to help foster positive conversations and break down gender-based stereotypes across multi-generations and diversities, using shared and lived experience. This event is for male-identifying young people (15-21 years old) and local service providers to share their cultural stories around harmful gender-based stereotypes.

• When: Saturday 30 November, 10:30am – 12pm
• Where: Melton Youth Facility, Barries Road Melton
• Register 
  
  

Wednesday 4 December

Leading Gender Equitable Sports Clubs Training (in-person) 
If you’re a coach, admin or volunteer in a sports club in the City of Melton with an Under-25's team, come along to learn about how your club can help to prevent gender-based violence and be more inclusive for women, girls and gender diverse people.  

This training will be delivered by GenWest. All sports clubs attending will receive a $200 Rebel Sorts gift voucher.  

• When: Wednesday 4 December
• Time: 6:30pm – 8:00pm  
• Where: Burnside Children’s and Community Centre 
• Cost: FREE 
• Register 
  
  

Thursday 5 December

Women in Sport Breakfast

Come along to the 7^th annual Women in Sport Breakfast to hear from a range of panellists and keynote speakers on celebrating the power of female youth, with this year’s theme of ‘Be Bold, Be You!’

This is a free event with light breakfast and refreshments provided.

• When: Thursday 5 December
• Time: 7.30am – 9am
• Where: Witchmount Estate, Leakes Road Plumpton
• Register

 

Leading Gender Equitable Sports Clubs Training (online) 

If you’re a coach, admin or volunteer in a sports club in the City of Melton with an Under-25's team, come along to learn about how your club can help to prevent gender-based violence and be more inclusive for women, girls and gender diverse people.  

This training will be delivered by GenWest. All sports clubs attending will receive a $200 Rebel Sorts gift voucher. 

• When: Thursday 5 December
• Time: 6:30pm – 8:00pm  
• Where: Online via Zoom 
• Cost: FREE 
• Register 
    

Community Brunch: Commitment to Ending Gender Based Violence 

Join African Youth Initiative and Girl Chat for a community brunch and impactful panel discussion on ending gender-based violence.  

Hear from panelists, including victim-survivors with lived experience, advocates paving the way for change and experts in the field who will share their insights and experiences. Following the discussion, you will be invited to participate in a reflective session to explore how you can raise awareness and take action and add your personal commitment to our shared vision wall.  

• When: Thursday 5 December
• Time: 12:00pm – 2:00pm   
• Where: Botanica Springs Children and Community Centre
• Cost: FREE 
• Book now
  
  
  

Join us at the Library to work on your own Craftivism projects in support of the 16 Days campaign. We will have a variety of crafts to choose from, so you can put your own empowering messages on whatever inspires you. Make your own bunting, badges, zines and more! 
 
All craft materials will be supplied. 

Women’s Empowerment Yoga Workshop 3 of 3 

Learn calming breathwork techniques and gentle yoga flows to help manage stress and anxiety. Through mindfulness practices, you’ll discover tools for releasing tension and finding inner peace, empowering you to navigate life’s challenges with greater ease. 

• When: Thursday 5 December
• Time: 6:15pm – 7:15pm
• Where: Fraser Rise Children’s and Community Centre
• Cost: FREE
• Register 
  
  

Saturday 7 December

Everyday Heroes Art Project: Hillside 

If your child flourishes when they get creative, they are invited to contribute to the creation of community artwork to celebrate our everyday heroes in the workforce.    

In this creative session your child will explore their dreams of future careers where the sky is the limit! They’ll learn basic techniques in the fun and vibrant cartooning art style and be invited to create their own artwork, giving them confidence to be who they want to be. These individual pieces will come together to form a larger scale artwork, which will be displayed at our community centres for everyone to enjoy.   

• When: Saturday 7 December
• Time: 10:30am – 12pm  
• Where: Hillside Community Centre 
• Cost: Free ($10 refundable booking fee)
• Register
  
  

Wednesday 11 December

Cupcake Decorating for Dads & Kids 

Are you a Dad (or Grandad!) local to the Truganina and surrounding area looking for a fun activity to do with your kids?  

Come along to this fun and creative workshop where you will work as a team with your child/children to produce an assortment of finished cupcakes that you can then take home, creating priceless memories whilst also developing your child’s communication and leadership skills. 

This workshop is suited to children aged 5-12 years.   

• When: Wednesday 11 December
• Time: 5:30pm – 7pm  
• Where: Mount Atkinson Children’s and Community Centre 
• Cost: $5 
• Register 

Past events

Saturday 16 November

Everyday Heroes Art Project: Diggers Rest

If your child flourishes when they get creative, we invite them to contribute to the creation of community artwork to celebrate our everyday heroes in the workforce.    

In this creative session, your child will explore their dreams of future careers where the sky is the limit! They’ll learn basic techniques in the fun and vibrant cartooning art style and be invited to create their own artwork, giving them confidence to be who they want to be. These individual pieces will come together to form a larger scale artwork, which will be displayed at our community centres for everyone to enjoy.   

• When: Saturday 16 November
• Time: 10:30am - 12pm
• Where: Diggers Rest Sport & Community Pavilion
• Cost: Free ($10 refundable booking fee)
• Register 
  
  

Wednesday 20 November

‘Working Dads: Towards Equal Care’ Report Launch   

The Working Dads: Towards Equal Care report, developed by GenWest and the western region Preventing Violence Together Partnership shares insights from working fathers across Melbourne’s West. It highlights barriers that fathers experience when taking parental leave and accessing flexible work arrangements that promote more equal caregiving practices.  

This webinar will take you through the 18 recommendations for workplaces and leadership that can foster more inclusive and equitable environments for fathers, which is essential to achieving workplace gender equality and preventing violence against women.  

• When: Wednesday 20 November
• Time:12:30pm – 1:30pm
• Where: Online
• Cost: FREE
• Register 
  
  

Thursday 21 November

Women’s Empowerment Yoga Workshop 1 of 3 

Build your inner strength and confidence with grounding flow yoga poses designed to make you feel powerful and rooted. You’ll be guided through mindful movement and affirmations to help you tap into your inner warrior, building resilience from the inside out. 

Friday 22 November

Respect Victoria Walk Against Family Violence  

This event marks the beginning of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence. By joining the Walk, you can take action to prevent family violence and violence against women and stand in solidarity with victim-survivors.  

• When: Friday 22 November 
• Time: 11:00am  
• Where: Birrarung Marr (Upper Terrace), Melbourne 
• Cost: FREE 
• More information 
  
  

Saturday 23 November

Everyday Heroes Art Project: Brookfield 

If your child flourishes when they get creative, they are invited to contribute to the creation of community artwork to celebrate our everyday heroes in the workforce.    

In this creative session your child will explore their dreams of future careers where the sky is the limit! They’ll learn basic techniques in the fun and vibrant cartooning art style and be invited to create their own artwork, giving them confidence to be who they want to be. These individual pieces will come together to form a larger scale artwork, which will be displayed at our community centres for everyone to enjoy.   

• When: Saturday 23 November
• Time: 10:30am – 12pm  
• Where: Botanica Springs Children’s and Community Centre 
• Cost: Free ($10 refundable booking fee)
• Register 

 

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