PUBLIC reaction to our story last week on gender pay disparity, along with this week’s story on safety hubs for survivors of family violence, is an indication of the journey we still must take to recognise these issues in our community.
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We cannot take this as an indication of the entire community’s views. But what has ensued is nothing short of appalling.
One reader rebranded this masthead the Women’s Mail-Times after our report on Australian Bureau of Statistics data that showed the number of employees and jobs across the Wimmera, median income and the breakdown of jobs across sectors.
The median income of employed men in Horsham was $13,000 higher than women in 2015-16. Our report discussed how part-time employment, industries of work and retaining women in the workforce, along with unconscious bias, were contributors.
We believe that gender equality and respectful relationships is everyone’s business – so if writing about equal rights makes us the Women’s Mail-Times, then we will proudly wear that label.
Horsham council’s support this week of a long-running effort to secure a safety hub for survivors of family violence within the municipality should be congratulated.
There’s no disputing there are men who are victims of family violence. But the reason women and children are often the focus of such campaigns is because women are overwhelming impacted and the cries of, “what about the men?” overlook that.
Violence against women is not always physical. It includes psychological, economic, emotional and sexual violence and controlling and intimidating behaviours.
Statistics via Our Watch, an organisation working to end violence against women and children, show that on average, one woman a week is killed by a current or former partner. One in six women has experienced physical or sexual violence by a current or former partner while one in four women has experienced emotional abuse.
Australian women are almost four times more likely than men to be hospitalised after being assaulted by their spouse or partner.
Intimate partner violence is the greatest health risk factor for women aged 25 to 44.
Violence against women is recognised as a widespread, preventable problem – but it’s also largely misunderstood. The reactions of this week show the work that’s needed to develop this understanding both here in the Wimmera and in the wider community.
Jessica Grimble, editor