Retail and construction are the two least developed sectors for gender equity, according to Women’s Health Loddon Mallee executive officer Linda Beilharz. 

Merinda owner Ellie Gammon can speak about both with authority. 

“I was one of the first women to work on a major construction site in Australia,” she said. 

She was a trades assistant with an electrical company working on the construction of the Portland aluminum smelter, about 30 years ago.

“I’m sure it has changed, but it was astounding the attitudes of people and what was tolerated,” she said. 

Her experiences have contributed to her decision to help Women’s Health Loddon Mallee and the Community Foundation for Central Victoria launch a new fund for the prevention of family violence. 

Merinda is offering a 5 per cent discount on all purchases between 5pm and 7.30pm on Thursday, June 2, and will donate a quarter of sales to Equity Prevents Violence projects.

“As a retailer that caters exclusively to women, I am excited to host a fundraising event that helps address domestic violence issues within our community,” Ms Gammon said.

The shopping event, dubbed Shop to Stop Violence Against Women, will kick off a fundraising campaign that includes the Big Give.

For 24 hours on September 1, the central Victorian community can donate online to local causes such as Equity Prevents Violence. 

“We know the underlying drivers of violence against women are gender inequality, rigid stereotypes and cultures that accept and excuse men’s violence,” Community Foundation for Central Victoria executive officer Ann Lansberry said.

Ms Beilharz encouraged the community to contribute to strategies that prevent violence against women. 

“It really is everybody’s business,” she said.

She said supporting Equity Prevents Violence would mean the community could self-fund family violence prevention programs, instead of waiting on funding to become available. 

People can register online to reserve a place in the free event via Eventbrite or Facebook, or turn up on the night at Merinda, 22 Bath Lane, Bendigo.

Ms Lansberry encouraged people with ideas about further fundraising activities to support Equity Prevents Violence to contact the Community Foundation for Central Victoria on 0428 461 855.