A Mitchell Community Walk against gender-based violence on November 29 will be this year be staged in Seymour, as part of the 16 Days of Activism campaign.
The 16 Days of Activism, from November 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, to December 10, Human Rights Day, is an international campaign to challenge violence against women and girls.
Council partners with organisations across Mitchell and Murrindindi shires each year through the Lower Hume Collaborative Group to support the campaign.
The inaugural Mitchell Community Walk to End Violence took place in Kilmore in 2019, however it has not been staged since due to the COVID-19 pandemic and last year’s floods.
The Kilmore walk was attended by 200 people and started important conversations about family violence across the shire.
This year’s walk begins at 10am from the Loco Street GoTAFE Campus in Seymour, with victim survivor of family violence and advocate for gender equality and respectful relationships Anj Barker the guest speaker.
The one-kilometre walk will then conclude at Goulburn Park, Seymour, where there will be a community event, including local support services and a barbecue.
Mitchell Shire Mayor Fiona Stevens welcomed everyone to attend and encouraged people to bring friends, family and pets. Participants are encouraged to wear orange.
“The 16 Days of Activism serves as a powerful reminder that violence against women and girls is all too prevalent in our communities, which is just not acceptable,” she said.
“Promoting gender equality is simply promoting the fact we are all equal, and should give everyone exactly the same fairness, respect and opportunities.
“The goal is to educate and gather support for attitudes and poor behaviour to change.
“This is a vital step in preventing family violence and other forms of harm against women and girls.
“Our first walk in Kilmore was well attended and I hope to see even more wearing orange and supporting this important campaign in Seymour.”
There will be several temporary road closures and detours in place in Seymour to cater for the walk and community event.
The following sections of roads will be closed from 10am, and will re-open progressively as the walk passes through: Loco Street, between 30 Loco Street and Railway Street, Railway Street, between Loco Street and Guild Street, and Guild Street, between the intersection of Railway Street and Progress Street.
Motorists are encouraged to allow extra travel time and expect delays.
16 Days of Activism events open to the public
The 16 Days of Activism campaign will feature several activities across the Mitchell and Murrindindi shires, including the chance to have a ‘Coffee with a Cop’ and to be involved in the Clothesline Project.
Coffee with a Cop is a chance to have a coffee, ask questions and engage in meaningful conversations with police officers in an informal and safe setting.
There are three sessions planned for towns in the Mitchell Shire:
9am to 11am, Monday, November 27, at Open House Cafe, Wallan
9am to 11am, Thursday, November 30, at Country Soul Cafe, Broadford
9am to 11am, Friday, December 1, at Little Stones Cafe, Seymour
The Clothesline Project is a global initiative that uses visual displays of t-shirts to raise awareness of family violence.
Shirts will be displayed in front of the Greater Beveridge Community Centre during the 16 Days of Activism Campaign.
People will have a chance to share messages of what respect means to them at workshops at the Greater Beveridge Community Centre.
The workshops will be from 9am to 5pm on Tuesday, November 21 and Wednesday, November 22.
People can visit council’s website for more information about events and visit the Respect Victoria website for information about the campaign.
