Respect Is...at the heart of Dandenong Market

This year, WHISE is partnering with Wellsprings for Women, Southern Migrant and Refugee Centre (SMRC), South East Community Links (SECL) at the Dandenong Market for our 16 Days of Activism campaign. Respect Is...at the heart of Dandenong Market highlights the importance of respect in relationships, families, and communities, celebrating the diversity and unity of our local region.

Our Dandenong Market pop-up stall will be the hub of our efforts on Saturday, 30 November from 9am to 3pm, where visitors can participate in interactive activities that promote respect and connection. Through conversation starters and resources we aim to spark meaningful discussions and empower community members to create safe, respectful spaces in their lives.

Spin the wheel to win prizes, try our smoothie bike for a refreshing drink, grab a goodie bag and come have a chat about building a community where everyone thrives.

Get involved

Get involved and support our 16 Days of Activism Campaign by joining us in spreading the message of respect and equity. Here’s how you can take part:

Share our social media content: Post and share our campaign tiles and captions on your social channels to amplify the message. Every share counts in building a community of respect.
Visit us at Dandenong Market: Come to our pop-up stall on 30 November to take part in interactive activities and learn more about fostering safe and equal communities.
Start conversations: Have meaningful discussions with friends, family, and colleagues about the importance of respect and equity.

Activities across the Southern Metropolitan Region

Our region is buzzing with events and activities that bring the community together in support of gender equality and respectful relationships. Here’s what’s happening:

WHISE & the Promoting Respect and Equity Together have Activity Sheets for parents and caregivers to do with their children during the 16 Days.There are conversation starters via the QR code + links to children’s books, FAQ’s, more info dmccaffrey@whise.org.au or give feedback.

Anglicare, Communities for Children and Cardinia Shire are doing the Clothesline Project: Run a session with your school, organisation or community.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

16 November

19 November

Conversations That Matter: An Evening for Men

Stonnington, Port Phillip, and Glen Eira councils are hosting this evening for men from 5:30–8pm at the Caulfield Park Pavilion. The event encourages conversations that foster respectful attitudes and healthy relationships.

City of Greater Dandenong Walk Against Family Violence 2024

Join the community at 11.15am for a walk from Dandenong Market to Harmony Square, standing together against family violence.

What is 16 Days of Activism?

16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence is a global campaign dedicated to raising awareness about the impact of violence, particularly on women.

The campaign starts 25 November (International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women) and concludes 10 December (Human Rights Day). These dates symbolically link violence against women with human rights issues.

Gender-based violence is a deeply rooted in gender inequality and sexism, as well as forms of oppression ( racism, ableism, homophobia, transphobia and biphobia).

Awareness raising is the first step in the overall task of addressing violence against women and girls. Gendered violence is totally preventable. Australia and the world have a choice. A world without gendered violence is possible and this movement is about joint action to make this vision a reality.

The Facts

Globally 1 in 3 women experience gender-based violence during their lifetime.

In Australia,

1 in 2 has experience sexual harassment
1 in 3 women experience physical violence
1 in 5 has experience sexual violence

Past Campaigns

2023

Let's talk to kids about RESPECT... because we all want to live in a world where we are safe, equal and respected.

#16DAYS4KIDS is the 2023 campaign created by WHISE, in collaboration with the Promoting Respect and Equity Together (PRET) Regional Partnership.

Our toolkit has beautifully designed colouring-in pages, activities and resources. It aims to involve children by exploring what gender equality and respect means. Each design demonstrates how respect can be shown.

Teaching children about respect and gender equality is crucial for their personal and social development. It equips them with essential life skills, fosters positive relationships, and contributes to a more compassionate and harmonious society. By doing these activities, we create an opportunity to have meaningful conversations with children about these topics.

How You Can Get Involved:

#16DAYS4KIDS toolkit

This toolkit provides information and resources to assist you in participating in the 16 Days of Activism
2023 Campaign throughout the Southern Metropolitan Region.

Print out the artwork provided with this toolkit
You can use these images in activities with your children, students, or community members as conversation starters about gender equality and respect. Reflective questions and suggested activities are included.
Share on social media
Take pictures of the artwork created during your activities and share them on your social media platforms. Don't forget to use the following hashtags: #16DAYS4KIDS #RespectIs
Collaborate with us
You can also send the images to us at whise@whise.org.au and we will share them on our social media channels to help spread the message!

Don’t forget to tag us:

Facebook @whisewomen
Instagram @whisewomen
LinkedIn @whisewomen

View the full toolkit here

2022

In 2022, WHISE participated in Women's Health East's "Margins to the Mainstream" social media campaign. The campaign focused on the experiences of gendered-violence of people with a disability.

For the first time since 2019, WHISE attended the Walk Against Family Violence 2022 - the first in-person Walk since 2019. Staff began at Parliament House at 11.30am and concluded at Carlton Gardens on Friday 25 November.

In 2017, we decided to focus on challenging gender stereotypes. Evidence shows that one of the drivers of violence is rigid gender stereotyping (such as boys need to be strong and not show emotion or that girls are nurturing).

WHISE worked with a number of schools in our region to engage children to draw pictures that challenged gender stereotypes of masculinity and femininity. This was a great chance to talk with young kids about why it’s so important to break free from gender stereotypes so we can all be who we want to be.

These drawings became the star of our campaign, featuring on postcards, brochures and social media tiles. And four of the drawings were chosen to be printed on a total of 100,000 coffee cups that were being distributed to over 80 partnering cafes in the Southern Metropolitan Region.

Women's Health in the South East

16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence