Despite a decade-long government plan to end violence against women, the alarming reality is that the rate of women being killed violently continues to rise. On this International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, we reaffirm our commitment to ensuring women’s rights are protected. Women deserve to live free from fear and violence, and it is our collective responsibility to fight for a future where safety and dignity are guaranteed for all.
Women’s rights are human rights, and yet, women still face unprecedented levels of violence and continue to be killed by men. Australian women still face violence and harassment at unacceptable rates, with the majority of preparators of violence against women being men.
Violence against women is often seen as a problem that only occurs in countries that have religious authoritarian governments or are ‘developing’. Not only is this narrative rooted in xenophobia, but it minimises the importance of the issue domestically. Violence is another form of gender discrimination, and something that affects women disproportionately in this country.
Despite the introduction of the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children, there has been seemingly little effect to the everyday experiences of women, as women continue to face violence and are discriminated against. The plan aims to commit resources and develop strategies to prevent violence against women over a decade long period.
The facts
At the time of writing, there have already been 85 women across Australia who have been killed due to acts of violence this year. Below are some statistics which illustrate the reality and urgency of the situation:
- Women are more likely to experience violence from someone they know rather than a stranger.
- Most of the violence, sexual harassment and sexual violence against women is perpetrated by men.
- 40% of the preparators of intimate partner murder against women are known to police and have often been visited by police before.
- According to data released by the Australian Institute of Criminology, the number of women killed by an intimate partner in Australia rose by almost 30% in 2022-23 compared to the previous year.
- This year, a woman is being killed violently every 4 days.
There are still too many women calling for police assistance, and not getting the assistance and support they need at the time that they need it. I think too often police officers are not updating their risk assessments. There’s been a lot of good law reform in relation to this space but I still think we’re behind in implementing that law reform.
Heather Douglas, Professor of Law at the University of Melbourne
Femicide
The term feminicide is used to describe the intentional murder of women on the basis of their gender. Broader understandings of the term include the general killing of women or girls. Femicide is a form of gender-based violence and is different to other types of murder due to underlying motives related to sexism, misogyny and patriarchal structures.
Countries around the world have begun to enshrine laws against femicide, sending a clear and strong signal that violence and the killing of women will not be tolerated. Laws against femicide acknowledge that violence against women is a significant issue that must be addressed separately from other types of killing.
Such laws would also help raise awareness of the issue and push it to the forefront of social discourse. They would also empower women and improve data collection on violence against women, helping end the issue.
What you can do:
- Speak up and use your voice: raising awareness and speaking about violence against women. Challenge the narrative that violence against women is no longer an issue in Australia! You can start your own rally or event by following the guide here.
- Remember those who have been lost, by sharing their stories and celebrating their lives.
- Combating violence against women is essential, but we must also advocate for other pressing women’s rights issues, such as ensuring access to reproductive healthcare and protecting the right to abortion.
