Claire Fidler (9R)
In 2015, the United Nations (UN) released a shocking study revealing that one in three women globally are exposed to violence at some stage in their lives. In some communities it affects up to seventy per cent of women. Unfortunately, here in Queensland we are not exempt from this pandemic with 66,000 cases of domestic violence reported each year.
There are several campaigns worldwide which aim to put an end to violence against women – one I am particularly passionate about is the UNiTE Campaign. This campaign begins annually on 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and is followed by sixteen days of activism against gender-based violence. Founded in 2008 by the United Nations Secretary General, the UNiTE campaign aims to unite women and men, across all cultures and nations, to work together to raise awareness and to end violence against women and girls. I believe this message is deeply connected with the Brisbane Girls Grammar School 2016 theme ‘unity’.
As a privileged all-girls school, I believe that it is our responsibility to stand up for women and girls both locally and globally. This is why I believe that our school should recognise the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. I believe it is essential for all members of the Girls Grammar Community to UNiTE. We must understand, however, that women cannot fight gender-based violence alone. To make a change we must unite with men and work together to raise awareness, initiate change and increase support for this cause. This is why I encourage the men and boys of our community to get involved in this campaign as well.
At Brisbane Girls Grammar School we are educated to be strong and to strive to make a difference – this has allowed me to recognise our ability to instigate change if we involve the entire School Community. For this reason should stand up on behalf of women less fortunate than us and express our belief that violence against women should never be acceptable at any time in any society. Showing our support for the millions of women and girls who are constantly affected by violence proves that we will not be prevented from achieving what is right because we are women. As a community, we must be aware that violence can happen to our best friends, in our own neighborhoods, it can happen anywhere to anyone. Although progress has been made to reduce violence against women and girls, there is still much work to be done.
By involving the whole community, we, as a group, can bring change not only on a local stage, and not only one day, but internationally and all year round as well. In the words of Julie McKay (2000), ex-Executive Director of the Australian National Committee for UN Women and Girls Grammar Old Girl: ‘We cannot merely be helpless in the face of violence. We cannot push the problem down the road or demand others to find answers. Women who have experienced violence have spoken. The experts have spoken. Now we must act.’