16 Days of Activism: Celebrating Queensland Activists

The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is an annual campaign that begins on 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and runs through International Human Rights Day on 10 December.

This year, the UN marks the 16 Days under the theme “UNiTE! Activism to end violence against women and girls”.

16 Days of Activism: From 25 November until 10 December, WorkUP Queensland will acknowledge and highlight the achievements of those working in the DFV sector in Queensland.

Read Alex’s story below.

Alex, YFS Facilitator

Alex works as a facilitator in the Responsible Men Program at YFS. This program focuses on behavioural changes in men who use violent and controlling behaviours in relationships.

He believes the reforms made to legislate coercive control as a form of domestic violence has significant potential to shape understanding of domestic violence as pattern-based abuse. However, he hopes that these changes are implemented in ways that consider experiences of survivors and those working in the sector.

Activism is important to Alex, and he believes he has a responsibility to acknowledge his privilege and challenge the patriarchal power structures that enable violence and misogyny.

“Men’s violence is a men’s problem, and if we place the burden of addressing this anywhere else but with ourselves, we’ve missed an opportunity to take accountability for the privilege and entitlement that we all have as men in a patriarchal cultural power structure.”

Click here to read all the stories as the become available.