Plan to improve gender equality

Four Wimmera councils have received State Government money to help improve gender equality.

Horsham Rural City, West Wimmera, Hindmarsh and Yarriambiack councils have joined forces for a collective community gender-equality project.

The councils won funding for the project through a Free from Violence local government grants scheme.

Horsham council chief executive Sunil Bhalla said the 12-month project would provide an opportunity for greater community participation in planning and decision-making processes.

“This project will lead the auditing and review of Horsham Rural City Council and partnering councils’ community-engagement processes, including council committees, to identify broader community representation,” he said.

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

“It is important we all work together to increase 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 the Horsham council’s health and wellbeing policy.

“We recognise 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 Services.

It builds on the council involvement in a CORE, Communities of Respect and Equality, alliance.