Wimmera Councils receive funding to advance gender equity

Published on 28 November 2018

Four Wimmera Councils have received Victorian Government funding to improve the way they engage with the public so that a diversity of women’s voices are better heard.

Horsham Rural City Council (HRCC) was successful in applying for the Free from Violence Local Government Grants scheme and will partner with the neighbouring Shires of West Wimmera, Hindmarsh and Yarriambiack to deliver the gender equity in community engagement project.

HRCC Chief Executive Officer Sunil Bhalla said the 12-month project would provide greater community participation in local planning and decision making processes.

“This project will lead the auditing and review of HRCC and partnering Councils current community engagement processes, including Council committees to identify broader community representation,” Mr Bhalla said.

“Wimmera Councils are committed to improving and strengthening community engagement so that all of our community, particularly women and girls, can participate.

“It is important that we all work together to increasing awareness and develop a greater understanding in community engagement of how gender inequality can lead to violence against women.

Mr Bhalla said preventing family violence was a key part of HRCC’s Health and Wellbeing Policy.

“We recognise that men and women have different access to resources, power, responsibilities and life experiences,” he said.

“Therefore different strategies and engagement methods are necessary to achieve equitable outcomes for all our community.”

The Gender Equity in Community Engagement project is funded via the State Government’s Department of Health and Human and Services.

It builds on HRCC’s and partner Councils involvement in the CoRE (Communities of Respect and Equality) Alliance.

The Alliance has guided the organisation’s Act@Work program which sets high gender equality standards.