Women’s Health West have submitted an open letter of support to Australian Marriage Equality in the lead up to the forthcoming postal survey on the topic.

Women’s Health West recognises the right of our LGBTIQ employees, clients and community to live and work free of prejudice and discrimination, and that this includes their right to marry the partner of their choice.

The letter can be read in full below.

25 August 2017

An open letter from Women’s Health West in support of marriage equality in Australia

Women’s Health West recognises the right of our lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ) employees, clients and community to live and work free of prejudice and discrimination. This includes the right to marry the partner of their choice.

Women’s Health West is committed to supporting marriage equality. As we head towards the national postal survey, we believe it is important to recognise and acknowledge that marriage equality is a human right. Everyone has the right to be treated equally.

Our LGBTIQ community have the right to be proud of who they are, to be safe, and to access the same fundamental rights without discrimination. The outcome of this plebiscite will not change that; neither will the hate of those who oppose equality.

Our vision is of equity and justice for women in Melbourne’s west. Our LGBTIQ clients, staff and community need to have equal rights in every aspect of their lives in order for us to achieve this. Not only is marriage equality the right thing to do, it will also help improve our workplace and the services we deliver, by allowing everyone to be treated with equal respect and to feel included.

Women’s Health West stands with the LGBTIQ community in the west of Melbourne, and across Australia.

In solidarity,

Robyn Gregory
Chief Executive Officer
Women’s Health West

The Preventing Violence Together partnership is today launching its new strategy, Preventing Violence Together 2030: Western Region Strategy to Prevent Violence Against Women.

Preventing Violence Together is a regional partnership made up of 19 organisations who work together to prevent violence against women across Melbourne’s west.

The strategy is being launched at the Substation in Newport by the Governor of Victoria, Her Excellency the Honourable Linda Dessau AC. The event will also feature a keynote address from the Honourable Marsha Thomson, MP for Footscray.

The strategy will guide the work of the Preventing Violence Together partnership, by outlining actions and a shared vision: ‘women and girls across Melbourne’s west live free from violence and discrimination and have equal status, rights, opportunities, representation and respect’.

The strategy was developed following consultation with partners, service providers and communities of interest, to ensure it is relevant and tailored to the unique needs and context of Melbourne’s western region.

Dr Robyn Gregory, CEO of Women’s Health West, the Preventing Violence Together lead partner, said:

‘The new Preventing Violence Together 2030 strategy marks an increased commitment to undertake the long-term work required to prevent and eliminate men’s violence against women.

Violence against women is a gendered problem, with the majority of intimate partner violence, sexual assault and family violence in Australia perpetrated by men against women. It is a problem rooted in gender-based power inequalities between women and men.

We know violence against women is preventable. By working as part of this long established partnership across the west, we can take action to end men’s violence against women.’

The strategy is a coordinated, action-based approach to preventing violence against women across Melbourne’s west.

Download the complete strategy here (PDF), and download the accompanying background paper here (PDF).

Earlier this year we produced a video promoting the Lead On Again program; our leadership program for culturally diverse young women who live, work or study in the west. The program runs for five days every January and is delivered in partnership with Western Young People’s Independent Network (WYPIN).

The video follows the women as they excitedly embark on the program and it culminates in their confident performances at Footscray Community Arts Centre’s Women of the World festival, held in March 2017.

We were moved during the performances and we’re moved now, watching this video. Thanks to the women for sharing and thanks also to Big Review TV for their vision and expertise.

For more information about Lead On Again please contact Kirsten at kirsten@whwest.org.au or call 9689 9588.