IT is just as important as ever to celebrate International Women's Day, central Victorian experts have said.
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Centre for Non-Violence chief executive Margaret Augerinos said true gender and equality was still too far away.
She said police in Victoria attended eight per cent more family violence incidents in the past year, rising to about 81,000 incidents a year.
"At least one woman a week is killed by a current or former partner," Ms Augerinos said.
"Violence against women is both a cause and consequence of gender inequality.
"As a community, we must work to challenge all forms of violence, inequality and oppression until true social and gender equality is achieved."
Ms Augerinos said the UN Women IWD theme of Generation Equality: Realising women's rights for an equal future provided a platform for activists of all ages to advocate for equal pay, equal sharing of unpaid care and domestic work, an end to sexual harassment and all forms of violence against women and girls, health care services that responded to their needs, and equal participation in political life and decision making in all areas of life.
Annie North chief executive Julie Oberin said a lot of achievements had been made, but there was still a long way to go.
Centre Against Sexual Assault Central Victoria chief executive Kate Wright said the objective of International Women's Day was to highlight women's equality and equal opportunity.
Women's Health Loddon Mallee chief executive Tricia Currie said social justice for women was an ongoing issue.
She took inspiration from the Each for Equal IWD 2020 theme, which she interpreted to mean every person working towards gender equality.
"In so many different ways, we can do this," Ms Currie said.
More than 30 central Victorian organisations are involved in developing a community-wide gender equity strategy.
"Together we are all on a significant journey to improve gender equity in Greater Bendigo," Bendigo councillor Jennifer Alden, who launched the draft, said.
"We want this strategy to help level the playing field."
Emma D'Agostino
Covering general news and Bendigo council.
Covering general news and Bendigo council.
