How Telstra Health recognised 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence

The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence campaign begins each year on 25 November, and is bookended by the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and Human Rights Day on 10 December.

Launched in 1991 by activists at the inauguration of the Women’s Global Leadership Institute, the 16 Days of Activism campaign is used as an organising strategy by individuals and organisations around the world to call for the prevention and elimination of violence against women and girls. Each year the campaign is coordinated by the Center for Women’s Global Leadership.The 2022 16 Days of Activism campaign was particularly significant for Telstra Health, as from July 1 this year we officially commenced our role as the new service provider for 1800RESPECT, the national domestic, family and sexual violence counselling, information and support service.

To engage employees in acknowledging this important awareness campaign, Telstra Health implemented a range of activities and events which reflected the Human Rights Day motto of ‘Dignity, Freedom and Justice for All’.

Initiatives included guest speaker events as an opportunity for learning more about topics related to the campaign, internal office activities which focused on the importance of respect, and donation drives for distributing sanitary items to those in need and in efforts to end period poverty in Australia.

Below is a brief round-up of events available to all Telstra Health employees during the 16 days of Activism campaign:

• Event one: On 25 November which marks International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, we heard from Professor Silke Meyer, Griffith University, Professor of Social Work, Beck O’Connor, DVConnect, CEO, and Dr Jen Beer, Head of 1800RESPECT, as they discussed the importance of the 16 Days of Activism campaign. The conversation also focused on the significance of the National Plan to End Violence Against Women and Children and how everyone has a role to play to achieve its mission.
• Event two: In recognising the International Day of People with Disability, we were joined by Kate MacRae, CEO, Scope, Meredith Allan, Scope’s Communication Access Assessor with lived experience of disability, and Hannah Taylor, Cultural Engagement Coordinator, 1800RESPECT for a discussion on 1800RESPECT’s successful re-accreditation of Scope’s Communication Access Symbol and what this means for people with disability in addition to our Disability Pathways Project and Toolkit.
• Event three: In further recognition of International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD), the Hon Bill Shorten MP, Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme, and Kurt Fearnley AO, Paralympic gold medalist and Chair of the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) delivered an address acknowledging the importance of IDPwD and the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence Campaign. The session focused on how industry, government and the not-for-profit sector can better work together on improving access to services and eliminating violence in all settings, for example through digital innovation.

Telstra Health extends its gratitude to all guest speakers for taking the time to have these important conversations.

As always, Telstra Health remains committed to a workplace that remains safe, inclusive and respectful.