What's the harm?

Gender inequality is the major driver of violence against women

Violence against women is preventable.
The major underlying cause of violence against women is gender inequality. 
We must create a society of equality between men and women.
​
​We have the power to effect change.
Together, we can make a difference.

Watch this video created by Our Watch (2015) for great insight into the relationship between gender inequality and violence against women.
(Our Watch, 2015)
Violence against women in a growing epidemic in Australia

One woman is killed each week by their current or former partner.

​1 in 3 Australian women have experienced physical violence from a current or former partner (DVV, 2015).

1 in 4 Australian women have experienced emotional abuse from a current or former partner (DVV, 2015). 


​Check out Australia's facts and figures on domestic violence here:
Domestic Violence Victoria
​Our Watch
(Our Watch, 2014)

Types of relationship violence

All forms of violence are damaging and unacceptable. 
If you, or someone you know is experiencing any form of relationship violence, you can get help from the resources on our home page.  

Gender inequality 

Gender inequality is learned at a young age and subtly reinforced through our society.
Our assigned gender at birth dictates how we are raised to behave and look. Rigid gender stereotypes creates harmful attitudes of what it means to be a 'boy' or to be a 'girl'.

You can watch the following videos to see how negative gender stereotypes propel harmful attitudes and behaviours. 
(Always, 2014)
(Sut Jhally, 2007)

Gender inequality harms everyone

Gender inequality in our society results in high rates of violence against women, a gender pay gap and so on. However, the the harm gender inequality has on men and boys can often be overlooked. 

Men are three times more likely to commit suicide in Australia than their female counterparts (Lifeline, 2016). ​Pressure to "be a man" and "man up" not only creates a society where violence against women kills one woman a week, it is also killing men.

Contact lifeline if you need support
(The Representation Project, 2013)