16 Days of Activism at the City of Monash

Everyone deserves to feel safe, equal and respected.

Yet in Australia, more than 1 in 3 women have experienced violence from men. Together, we can change this by building communities grounded in respect.

Monash Council is proud to support the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, running from 25 November (International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women) to 10 December (Human Rights Day).

Why is this important?

Gender-based violence is a prevalent and distressing issue in Australia.

While the statistics are confronting, we know that it is preventable. Did you know:

• 1 in 2 women have experienced sexual harassment since the age of 15
• 1 in 4 women have experienced violence by an intimate partner since the age of 15
• 1 in 5 women have experienced sexual assault since the age of 15
• 1 in 3 LGBTIQA+ people have experienced violence from a partner, ex-partner or family member
• 3 in 5 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women have experienced physical or sexual violence perpetrated by a male intimate partner.

(Data source: Safe and Equal, 2022).

Stopping gender-based violence starts with addressing gender inequality. We all have a role to play in changing attitudes and creating a more equitable world.

How to get involved 

Host an event or activation 

One way to get involved is to organise an event, project or program in your local community that supports the 16 Days of Activism Campaign and encourages lasting change. 

To support your event or activity, you can apply for a Monash Council Quick Response Grant of up to $3000.

While we cannot guarantee that all applications will be successful, you can make a stronger application by considering: 

• Who will be involved in your event, program or project, and why 16 Days of Activism is important for your community
• Engaging appropriately qualified or experienced practitioners if you are delivering training or workshops, to ensure safety of your participants; and
• Using the resources available. For example, Respect Victoria's Toolkit includes a lot of great information. This includes the section on Creating a meaningful 16 Days of Activism.  

To ensure you can hold your event, project or program within the 16 Days of Activism (25 Nov–10 Dec) we recommend applying for a Quick Response Grant during August or September (October at the latest), to allow time for it to be assessed. 

Visit the Quick Response Grant Program if you would like more information or assistance, or are ready to apply for a grant,

Share the campaign messages 

Whether you’re an individual or representing an organisation, social media is a powerful way to share messages about respect and equality.  

You might also like to share posters, information, and translated assets. 

All of these can be found on Respect Victoria's website: 16 Days of Activism 2025 campaign materials.

Support is available

If you or someone you know is experiencing family violence, support is available through 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 (National Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Counselling Service).

Visit Family Violence Support for more information on support services.