By Esther Lauaki
Macedon Ranges council will be able to strengthen its resources in the fight against family violence thanks to more than $150,000 in state funding.
The council will implement a workplace gender equality project, the Local Government Workforce Challenge, which aims to help the community understand the link between gender inequality and associated attitudes, and family violence.
Chief executive Margot Stork said the state funding, along with $10,000 from the council and $15,000 of in-kind support, would support the shire’s commitment to advancing gender equality.
“The Local Government Workforce Challenge project stems from our realisation that if we are to be leaders in this space we need to lead by example by making sure our workplace culture and ethos is inclusive and welcomes diversity, and that our policies and practices demonstrate gender equality,” Ms Stork said. “Many of us spend up to a third of our waking hours at work.
“It makes sense then that workplace-based approaches to preventing violence against women have significant potential for impact. Who doesn’t want to work in an environment that supports equitable, inclusive and respectful attitudes and behaviours?”
Ms Stork said the council would benefit from knowledge gained through other initiatives, including the Rural Challenge Gender Equality Leadership Program, which worked in CFA brigades and football netball teams to improve gender equality.
In addition, council will also receive $57,000 in state funding to deliver the Moorabool @ Home, Work and play – Free From Violence project.
This will include a workforce cultural change program, support for healthy and gender equal relationships for new parents and it will also promote gender equity in local sporting clubs.
The government funding comes from the Free from Violence grant program, which aims to enable councils to embed primary prevention activities in their everyday work.
– with Bendigo Advertiser
