Two current, local initiatives Grampians Community of Practice for the Prevention of Violence against Women Darlene Henning-Marshall Program Manager 3 March 2016

1.A Grampians Regional Strategy for the Prevention of Violence against Women 1.The process for development 2.Current status 3.Opportunity for involvement/future plans 2.The Victorian Government’s Gender Equality Strategy - consultation 1.Overview of the consultation 2.Overview of draft developed by WHG 3.Opportunity for involvement Overview

A Grampians regional strategy Background 1.All WHS were funded by the Victorian government over 2014 – 16 to develop regional plans 2. Two phases: 1.Develop a Planning guide that supports regional planning – Equality and Safety for Women launched Oct Lead and coordinate the development of a regional plan with key partners

Why a regional plan? Foundation for integrated work Opportunity for collective impact Opportunity to increase individual activities Promote a shared understanding of the underlying drivers Facilitate an evidence based approach Leverage current community momentum with an effective communications strategy - high profile initiative

What will it look like? A high level strategic plan that will articulate: – a single shared vision for the region and – identify 3-5? agreed goals Formal sign-on to the strategy Ongoing governance (to be determined) – How will the action plan be developed? How will it be implemented? monitored etc? A short, published document, launched at a high profile event on 30 May

….Then later an Action Plan The development of an associated Action Plan will follow. It will: – Seek to outline specific activities required to reach the goals and ultimately the vision – Draw heavily from the new National Framework (Change the Story) to guide an evidence based approach It is envisaged that this will follow quite quickly once the Strategic Plan is launched (June-Aug 2016)

How will it be developed? WHG are the lead organisation responsible for driving it - and day to day management Foresight Lane have been appointed to provide consultancy support A Reference Group will oversee development of vision, goals, terms, governance etc Further/broader engagement sought/encouraged Formal sign-on

The role of the Reference Group To develop the vision and goals Provide feedback and input into the strategy document Provide input and develop the process for action planning Establish ongoing governance etc

How was the Reference Group established? WHG CEO Marianne Hendron invited (via ) CEOs from across the region, from the following types of organisations: – All 11 Local governments – All 3 Primary Care Partnerships – The 2 major Community Health Centres – Services and committees involved in family violence – 2 Aboriginal co-ops – Department of Health and Human Services

Who is on the Reference Group? Neville Ivey,City of Ballarat Greg Anders,Golden Plains Shire Council Colleen WhiteArarat Rural City Council Ray Campling, CEOYarriambiack Shire Council Jim Nolan, CEOPyrenees Shire Council Justine Linley, CEONorthern Grampians Shire Peter Brown, CEOHorsham Rural City Council Jill Miller, CEOGrampians Community Health Robyn Reeves, CEOBallarat Community Health Katherine Gillespie, EOCentral Highlands PCP Andrew Howard, EOGrampians Pyrenees PCP Geoff Witmitz, EOWimmera PCP Wendy Sturgess, CEOWimmera Uniting Care Libby Jewson, EOWRISC Graham HoadCAFS Wally Coleman, CEOGoolum Goolum Aboriginal Coop Rosie ThomasDepartment of Health & Human Services Gerardine Christou (chair)Western District IFVC Sergeant Joe Cahir (chair)VicPol/ Central Highlands FV Committee Sue CloutCentral Highlands Family Violence Committee

Overview of timeline FebMarAprMay Invite Reference Group membership and set launch date. Review existing WHS PVAW plans, frameworks including ‘Change the Story’ and Planning Guide. Audit report compiled Draft Plan Context and Introduction prepared Reference Group Meeting 1: 29 February - Present Draft Plan Intro and overview, Review of existing plans. - Develop vision and goals. Redraft Introduction and develop draft plan. Consultation beyond the reference group – opportunity for broader engagement. Reference Group Meeting 2: 11 April - Present Draft Plan (with wider consultation) for endorsement - Develop ongoing governance mechanisms Develop final plan Reference Group Meeting 3: 2 May - Present Final Plan and facilitate formal sign-on process Graphics, Print and Launch: 30 May

Where are we up to? Consultants appointed Draft introduction prepared Reference Group meeting #1 held Next steps The consultants are compiling and translating the many words and phrases generated from the first meeting into meaningful statements Draft vision statement and goals will be circulated to Reference Group for feedback via (this week) Agreed vision and goals will be disseminated more broadly for input and feedback (April/May)

Opportunities? If your organisation is already involved via the Reference Group – perhaps support it internally? Consider being involved with the Action Planning? If your organisation is not already involved - perhaps consider if it is something that would be of interest to your organisation? – All organisations interested in joining this initiative are very welcome! – This is an opportunity for unprecedented collaboration and action across the region – And an opportunity to be part of something strategic, systems focused and very exciting! INTERESTED? Contact me or your regional liaison

A Grampians Regional Strategy for the Prevention of Violence against Women 1.The process for development 2.Current status 3.Opportunity for involvement/future plans Questions? 2. The Victorian Government’s Gender Equality Strategy - consultation 1.Overview of the consultation 2.Overview of draft developed by WHG 3.Opportunity for involvement Overview

The Victorian Government’s Gender Equality Strategy - consultation Victorian Government initiative Seeking community input Submissions close 18 March A strategy to guide actions and priorities to work towards a goal of equal social, civic and economic participation for women in society

Have your say A great opportunity to have a voice on this complex issue, influence policy, and shape our future Gender equality impacts all of us, our children, and our communities Gender equality is important for so many reasons – not least the prevention of violence against women What would you put in your submission? – What is your voice? – What would be your key points? – Who would you need to engage to do one from your organisation?

Or join WHG’s submission Developed a draft - but with a partnership in mind Currently available for comment

Overview of structure Section 1: Overarching issues Section 2: Key principles that need to underpin a gender equality strategy Section 3: Key areas for Victorian Government activities Recommendations

Section 1: Overarching issues Gender inequality exists. Many barriers: STRUCTURAL social, economic, environmental factors INDIVIDUAL personal feelings, thoughts and behaviours CULTURAL norms, stereotypes, expectations,what's OK & what's not INSTITUTIONAL organisation policies and practices BARRIERS

Gender inequality is an even bigger issue in rural Victoria Poor or limited access to services including legal, transport, housing and healthcare Reduced employment options Limited access to and high cost of childcare High costs – re fuel, fresh food, medical services etc Conservative patriarchal values perpetuated by rigid stereotypes Compound disadvantage, discrimination and experience of gender inequalities

In the Grampians, in particular Broad indicators – Transport experiences – Educational attainment – Employment – Women’s participation in leadership Other outcomes known to be driven by gender inequality – Violence against women – Poor access to reproductive services

Transport

Education

Employment In every Grampians LGA women are more than: 15% below the state average for full time work participation and 15% above the state average for part-time work participation

Women’s participation in leadership Of the 79 Councils in Vic – 10 have only 1 female councillor And 5 of these are in the Grampians region

Gender inequality resulting in violence against women Research shows women in rural and regional areas are at an increased risk and face additional barriers to reporting and escaping abuse Data is complex but some parts of the Grampians have among the highest rates of family violence reporting in Vic

Gender inequality resulting in poor access to reproductive services Women are disproportionately affected by the consequences of poor access to fertility control and unplanned pregnancy Women have traditionally had poor political access – ie deciding where public resources are allocated Women in the Grampians have very limited access to abortion, emergency contraception and options counselling

Intersectionality This means where race, sexuality and disability (and other forms of discrimination) interact together These things can compound inequalities That is, many women are subjected to multiple forms of discrimination or oppression, and these can be exacerbated by living in rural and regional areas.

Section 2: Key principles that need to underpin a gender equality strategy 1.Adopting a gender transformative approach 2.Long term timeframe with adequate funding 3.Data: For Planning, measurement and accountability 4.Collaborative and holistic approach

1. A gender transformative approach GTA approach means “actively addressing the causes of gender-based inequality and valuing the differences between men and women” Its about transforming the way we do things that are creating/reinforcing gender norms etc “GT policy and practice examines, challenges and ultimately transforms structures, norms and behaviours that reinforce gender inequality, and strengthens those that support gender equality” (WHV)

4. Collaborative and holistic approach 1.Consultation processes should be inclusive and facilitate input and influence from diverse groups across our population 2.The strategy should focus on all facets of life: economic, social, political and cultural

Section 3: Key areas for Victorian Government activities 1.Applying a whole of government approach 2.Providing public leadership 3.Ensuring an appropriate rural and regional focus

1. Applying a whole of government approach Internal – as a workplace – Be a leader in workplace gender equality External – the work they do – apply a gendered lens to all areas of government (policies, programs and budgets) – Use the tools of government (legislation, regulation etc)

2. Providing public leadership 1.Supporting public conversation/awareness raising 2. Advocacy at the National level

3. Ensuring an appropriate rural and regional focus 1.Resources should be targeted accordingly – to rural areas 2. Supporting ‘whole of community’ and local approaches – Rural communities work together – Long standing partnerships – Local and regional knowledge important

We invite feedback on the points we have made/missed But essentially… We are inviting any and all organisations in the region who would like to join us in our submission - to provide a particularly united Grampians voice – to please contact us

Women’s Health Grampians Darlene Henning-Marshall - Program Manager Regional Liaisons Carolynne Hamdorf – Yarriambiack; Hindmarsh; West Wimmera; Horsham Kate Souter – Northern Grampians; Ararat; Pyrenees; Golden Plains Dee Micevski – Ballarat; Hepburn; Women’s Health Grampians