Council reaffirms Collective Action for Respect & Equality partnership

Published on 23 February 2024

Gannawarra Shire Council has reaffirmed its commitment to the Loddon Mallee Collective Action for Respect and Equality (CARE) partnership.

Established in 2021, this Women’s Health Loddon Mallee initiative aims to grow and sustain a coordinated multi-sector approach for the primary prevention of violence against women across the Loddon Mallee region.

“Council is committed to preventing any form of violence against women,” Mayor Ross Stanton said.

“The CARE Partnership Statement of Commitment acknowledges that prevention of violence against women is a community issue, and everyone has a responsibility to help change the culture so that women feel safe, respected, and equal.”

The five-point statement of commitment recognises that organisations that commit to the partnership can take action to make a difference and build safer, respectful communities for everyone in the region.

“Through Gannawarra Shire’s commitment to the CARE partnership, my fellow Councillors and Council staff are focussed on creating a community and workplace which promotes social justice, gender equality and respect for all women,” Mayor Stanton said.

Since its development, partnership initiatives have included the successful 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence, including the annual Gannawarra Goes Orange Campaign, CARE Conversation events, training and workshops, and the establishment of a community of practice.

“Being part of the CARE Partnership and contributing to the initiatives of the partnership also helps support the requirement for Council’s to take a leadership role in the prevention of family violence as identified through the Royal Commission into Family Violence,” Mayor Stanton said.

“Completed in 2015, the Commission made 227 recommendations to reduce the impact of family violence in our community, which were fully implemented last year.”

For more information regarding the Women’s Health Loddon Mallee Loddon Mallee Collective Action for Respect and Equality (CARE) partnership, please visit https://whlm.org.au/care-partnership/

ABOVE: Gannawarra Shire Council's participation in the Gannawarra Goes Orange campaign forms part of its obligations to the Women’s Health Loddon Mallee Loddon Mallee Collective Action for Respect and Equality (CARE) partnership.