16 Days of Activism focus

First Nations women are seven times more likely to be homicide victims than non‑Indigenous women and, of these women, 75 per cent are killed by a current or former partner, the Albanese Labor Government has said as it marks the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and the launch of the United Nations’ global 16 Days of Activism against Gender‑Based Violence.

In a 25 November joint statement, Minister for Women Katy Gallagher, Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth, Minister for Indigenous Australians Malarndirri McCarthy and Assistant Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence Justine Elliot said the government was reaffirming its ongoing commitment to a safer, violence‑free Australia for all women and children. Parliament House will light up orange to mark the International Day as a powerful, visible reminder of the lives impacted by family, domestic and sexual violence and to honour those who have been lost.

Minister for Indigenous Australians Malarndirri McCarthy said nationally First Nations women face significantly higher rates of violence than non‑Indigenous women. “First Nations women are 33 times more likely to be hospitalised due to family and domestic violence than non-Indigenous women” she said. 

She said addressing the disproportionately high rates of family violence experienced by First Nations women and children required a concerted effort, and that the Albanese Government was committed to working with First Nations people and organisations as it develops the standalone National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Family Safety Plan.

The government says a $4 billion investment has established and continued 113 initiatives to deliver on the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022 – 2032, covering prevention, early intervention, response and recovery and healing. These include programs targeting perpetrators, preventative initiatives and support services assisting women and children who have experienced gender‑based violence.

The Hon Amanda Rishworth MP said the 2024 theme Every 10 Minutes, a Woman is Killed. #NoExcuse. UNiTE to End Violence against Women is an important reminder that ending gender‑based violence is the responsibility of all Australians and that the government has made significant efforts to combat ongoing rates of gender‑based violence across the country but more still needs to be done. She said a whole‑of‑society response was required and that the 16 Days of Activism was an opportunity to recommit to the consistent and persistent action needed to end gender‑based violence in one generation. 

Assistant Minister Justine Elliot said the work to end gender‑based violence in one generation must be constant. “Eliminating violence against women and children is our national priority – backed by immediate action and driven by a generational goal” she said, adding that while the 16 Days of Activism provided an important moment to reflect on how people can work together, the resolve to end violence must be maintained year‑round. 

The statement notes that, through progressive budgets since 2022, the government has committed funding such as $925.2 million to permanently establish the Leaving Violence Program so people escaping violence can receive financial support, safety assessments and referrals; an $80 million boost to enhance and expand child‑centric, trauma‑informed supports; and $351 million under a renewed five‑year National Partnership Agreement on Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence Responses frontline services, to be matched by states and territories. 

Other measures include $19.4 million to establish a National Student Ombudsman and $18.7 million over four years for a National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender‑Based Violence; $13.1 million in targeted investments to support refugee and migrant women; $11.7 million over two years to extend the First Nations Family Dispute Resolution pilot; $6.5 million in 2024 – 25 for an Age Assurance Pilot to Protect Children from Harmful Online Content; and $6 million over two years for local outreach trauma‑informed healthcare support to women and children experiencing domestic and family violence or homelessness, provided through Primary Health Networks on the Central Coast. 

The government also lists support services including 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 (with online chat and text 0458 737 732), the Men’s Referral Service on 1300 766 491 for people concerned about their behaviour or use of violence, and the 13YARN crisis line on 13 92 76, which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.