Friday 25 November marks the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, and in Australia it is also White Ribbon Day, where men join together to renounce violence against women and girls.
The White Ribbon is a symbol of hope for a world where women and girls can live free of violence. Wearing the ribbon is about men challenging the acceptability of violence against women–by getting men involved, helping women to break the silence.
Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd said 'I wear my White Ribbon with pride–knowing that men have to change their ways, so women and girls can feel safe. It is simply unacceptable that one in three women and girls will experience physical violence and one in five will experience sexual violence in their lifetime.'
Promoting gender equality and empowering women is an overarching goal of Australia's aid program under the Australian Government's aid policy An Effective Aid Program for Australia. This includes continuing to work to enhance the safety and security of women and girls in their homes, their communities, and in disaster and conflict situations.
AusAID is committed to preventing violence against women by enhancing community-based services for women who have experienced violence, as well as building support through the health and law and justice systems.
On 2 November, Richard Marles, Parliamentary Secretary for Pacific Island Affairs, announced at the Australia-US Pacific Women's Empowerment Policy Dialogue: Stopping Violence Against Women, that Australia would enhance its support to the Vanuatu Women's Crisis Centre to continue its work in supporting women affected by violence and preventing more violence.
In Bangladesh, women have acid thrown on their faces, with an attack reported every two days. Over the past decade, 3,135 people (69 per cent of whom are women) suffered acid violence in Bangladesh. A quarter of the victims are children.
To reduce the impact this horrible practice, Australia will provide $600,000 in 2011-12 to support the work of the Acid Survivors Foundation in Bangladesh to help survivors with physical reconstruction, rehabilitation and legal assistance.
By working in partnership with the Acid Survivors Foundation and the Government of Bangladesh, Australia's help will ensure that the survivors of acid attacks receive timely support to help rebuild their lives.
More information
Gender equality and development
Australia helps end violence against women in the Pacific
White Ribbon Day [external website]
16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence [external website]
Speech at CEO Challenge, White Ribbon Dinner [external website]
Media Release: Work towards a world where women live without fear of violence [external website]