Empowering Women
Marching For Equality
Written by Acacia Soares - Content Writer at Strength to Strength Mental & Physical Healthcare
In light of the recent She Matters national rallies and this year's International Women’s Day, this month has been a catalyst for change welcoming discussion on the fight for women’s rights.
Protesters calling on governments to take action to save women’s lives.
Memorial for the women lost to male violence.
Just over a week ago, there were national ‘She Matters’ rallies organised by the Australian Femicide Watch and RED HEART Campaign in 14 cities and towns to honour the women’s lives lost to violence.
Since 2024, 117 women were killed by male violence.
The founder, Sherele Moody, is calling on governments for better funding and legal changes to ensure safety for women and children.
“We’re here because men keep killing us,” she said.
“We’re here for every woman.
“We’re here to fight for her right to peace, fight for her right to live in safety, fight for her right to be free from any form of abuse, violence or control.
“We are here for her right to f**king live.”
The Australian Femicide Watch tally reported that in the past 14 months, 117 women were killed by male violence in Australia.
Founder of the Australian Femicide Watch and RED HEART Campaign, Sherele Moody at the ‘She Matters’ rally.
An ANROWS report found that education, such as the Resilience Rights and Respectful Relationships (RRRR) program in secondary schools, is a key tool to reducing male violence as support for gender equality declines with age.
The UN agency for children, UNICEF, said the main barriers for girls accessing education are gender-based violence, poverty and child marriage.
“Girls’ education strengthens economies and reduces inequality,” they stated.
“But education for girls is about more than access to school.
“It’s also about girls feeling safe in classrooms and supported in the subjects and careers they choose to pursue.”
Worldwide 119 million girls are out of school.
UNICEF found that in conflict-affected countries, girls are more than twice as likely to be denied education and worldwide 119 million girls are out of school.
Although there are still key concerns for women’s rights and empowerment, there has also been great progress over the last few decades.
This year’s International Women’s Day marked the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, with the theme of marching forward for the rights, equality and empowerment of ALL women and girls.
Today, 193 countries have legal sanctions against violence.
The Beijing agenda has worked to improve women’s legal protection, access to services, youth engagement, changing social norms and women’s participation in peace.
According to UN Women, before 1995, only 12 countries had legal sanctions against domestic violence. Today, there are 1,583 legislative measures in place across 193 countries, including 354 specifically targeting domestic violence.
There was also an increase in women’s participation in conflict resolution and prevention.
In 2010 only 9 countries had National Action Plans on women, peace and security, today the plan has been adopted by 112 countries.
World Vision, the UN Global Compact and UN Women have collaborated to form seven Women’s Empowerment Principles to support the progression of women’s rights.
1. Create high-level corporate leadership for gender equality
2. Treat all people fairly at work, respecting and supporting non-discrimination and human rights
3. Ensure the health, well-being and safety of all workers, whether male or female
4. Promote education, training and professional development for women
5. Implement supply chain, marketing practices and enterprise development that empower women
6. Champion equality through community initiatives and advocacy
7. Measure and report publicly on progress to create gender equality
How to support the rights, equality and empowerment of ALL women:
Normalise supporting women in your life
Call out gender stereotypes and social norms
Attend a women’s rights march
Support female-led businesses
Embrace and encourage female leadership
Express gratitude for the women in your life
Make a difference now:
Sponsor a girl through World Vision to allow her access to education
Donate or shop at the RED HEART Campaign to support the Memorial to Women and Children Lost to Violence