Dandenong Market, the vibrant heart of one of Australia’s most culturally diverse communities, is taking a stand against gender-based violence with the launch of the ‘Respect Is…at the heart of Dandenong Market’ campaign. As part of the global 16 Days of Activism initiative, this campaign invites families and individuals to join conversations about respect and equality in the place where community comes together—over fresh produce, shared meals, and everyday connections.
“The market is such a vibrant hub, making it the perfect space to have these important conversations about respect and equity. We’re excited to see it all come together and encourage everyone to join us at our pop-up stall,” says Kit McMahon, WHISE CEO.
“For many years, we’ve been involved in the 16 Days of Activism campaign. This year’s event at Dandenong Market offers a fantastic chance to engage with our community and inspire action to end violence against women and girls,” says Dalal Smiley, Wellsprings for Women CEO.
On Saturday, 30 November, visitors to the market will find more than just great bargains. They’ll be welcomed by engaging activities like a smoothie bike, prize giveaways, and friendly faces ready to chat about creating communities where everyone can thrive. Early visitors will also receive goodie bags filled with helpful resources.
The campaign, spearheaded by Women’s Health in the South East (WHISE) in partnership with South East Community Links, Southern Migrant & Refugee Centre, and Wellsprings for Women, aims to raise awareness about gender-based violence by focusing on one of its key solutions: building cultures of respect and equity.
“Dandenong Market is the perfect venue for this important initiative,” said a spokesperson from Dandenong Market.
“As a central hub for families of all cultures, it’s a space where conversations about respect and equality can truly resonate. We’re proud to host this campaign and be part of the global movement to end violence against women.”
Event Details:
Location: Dandenong Market (Main entrance, Clow St & Cleeland St, Dandenong)
Date: Saturday, 30 November
Time: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Finding support services
Information and resources on support services will be available at the stall for those impacted by gender-based violence.
You can also access the following services:
- South East Community Links – Comprehensive support for families and individuals in the South East: Call (03) 9791 8344
- Wellsprings for Women – Dedicated to empowering women through connection, education, and advocacy: Call 03) 9701 3740
- Southern Migrant & Refugee Centre – Providing services to migrant and refugee communities in the region: Call (03) 9767 1900
- 1800RESPECT – National sexual assault, domestic, and family violence counselling service: Call 1800 737 732
- Safe Steps Family Violence Response Centre – 24/7 support for women and children: Call 1800 015 188
- MensLine Australia – Support for men dealing with family and relationship issues: Call 1300 789 978
- Lifeline Australia – Crisis support and suicide prevention: Call 13 11 14
For those who want to get involved and support the campaign, there are social media tiles to promote respect and equity on WHISE’s website. You can download and share these resources to help amplify this vital message. https://whise.org.au/support-us/our-campaigns/16-days-of-activism/
About us:
Women's Health in the South East (WHISE) is a leading organisation dedicated to improving the health and well-being of women in the southeastern region. With a focus on promoting gender equity, WHISE advocates for women's rights, access to healthcare services, and leads initiatives to address gender-based violence and gender inequality. By collaborating with stakeholders, WHISE strives to create positive change and ensure every woman has access to comprehensive, inclusive, and high-quality care. For more information, visit www.whise.org.au.
Contact details:
Dos Hetherington, WHISE Communications Lead:
dhetherington@whise.org.au
0412317334
