Published on 23 November 2021
16 Days of Activism
The community is invited to take part in a series of events across Onkaparinga from this Thursday, taking a stand against gender-based violence and joining a global push to end violence against women.
16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is an annual international campaign that begins on 25 November (the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women) and runs until 10 December, which is Human Rights Day.
Organisations across Onkaparinga, including council, are hosting events throughout the 16 days, starting with Spirit of Woman’s launch of their very first Place of Courage public art space at Christies Beach’s Rotary Park.
Check out the list of events below and show your support for a fantastic cause and learn how to move from awareness to action.
Day 1 – Thursday 25 November
Spirit of Woman’s first Place of Courage public art space will be unveiled at Rotary Park, Beach Road, Christies Beach, at 10am. The art acknowledges the impact of domestic violence (DV), initiates conversations about how we can prevent DV, and provides a safe space to reflect, grieve, connect and heal.
From 12pm onwards, art created by local schools in support of the Place of Courage launch will be on display at the Christies Beach Surf Lifesaving Club, Esplanade.
At 7:30pm, Parliament House (North Terrace, Adelaide) will be bathed in orange light in support of the 16 Days, and a photo and minute’s silence will be conducted at 7:45pm.
Day 2 – Friday 26 November
Butterfly displays will be showcased throughout the City of Onkaparinga during the 16 Days. Call into your local children’s centre, library or community centre to create a butterfly to add to the display. Information for women experiencing domestic violence and information for family and friends will be available.
Tune into Tribe FM from 11:15am to hear Southern Domestic Violence Action Group’s Dianne and Bernie discuss how they raise awareness about DV and connect the community with referral service.
Day 3 and 4 – Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 November
Check your local sporting clubs and Parkruns to find out if and how they’re taking a stand against gender-based violence and how to get involved.
Day 5 – Monday 29 November
Enjoy a no-cost awareness BBQ from 11am to 1pm in Ramsay Place, Noarlunga Centre, and hear from young people in the community. Students from Christies Beach High School will courageously share their views on domestic violence and showcase their talents with a dance performance.
Day 6 – Tuesday 30 November
The office of Katrine Hildyard MP will host a roundtable, empowering workers and businesses to support those experiencing DV, from 4:30pm to 6pm at 114 Beach Road, Christies Beach. The roundtable will hear from those who have implemented policies and practices within business to support workers, and from workers’ representatives about how to best support workers experiencing DV. Bookings essential—call 8382 0409.
Day 7 – Wednesday 1 December
Acknowledge those we have lost and survivors of DV at the Clothesline Project at Rotary Park, Christies Beach, from 10am to 12pm. Write messages of hope, support and survival on white T-shirts to be displayed around the park. Stalls, entertainment, guest speakers and a no-cost BBQ included.
Day 8 – Thursday 2 December
Visit the Women’s Information Service and other organisations’ pop-up stall at the bottom of the escalator adjacent Kmart, Colonnades, Noarlunga Centre from 9am to 8pm. Learn about available services and support and decorate a butterfly.
Day 9 – Friday 3 December
Community conversations will take place at various hotels and restaurants across Onkaparinga from 4–6pm. Have a chat about the 16 Days and what you can do to help prevent and end DV. Purchase a ZONTA orange wristband.
Day 10 and 11 – Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 December
Check your local sporting clubs and Parkruns to find out if and how they’re taking a stand against gender-based violence and how to get involved.
Day 12 – Monday 6 December
Local bakeries across Onkaparinga are participating in the 16 Days by making doughnuts with orange icing.
Tie an orange ribbon on to your letterbox to demonstrate your support for preventing and ending violence against women.
Day 13 – Tuesday 7 December
Join a DV forum from 1–3pm (location TBC), which is entirely focused on how we can all start conversations about preventing domestic violence in our community and on what we can do if we suspect or know domestic violence is occurring. Registrations essential, phone 8382 0409.
Day 14 – Wednesday 8 December
Visit the Women’s Information Service and other organisations’ pop-up stall at the bottom of the escalator adjacent Kmart, Colonnades, Noarlunga Centre from 9am to 2pm. Learn about available services and support and decorate a butterfly.
Day 15 – Thursday 9 December
Join the Onkaparinga Collaborative Approach Breakfast at Port Noarlunga Surf Lifesaving Club from 7:30am to 9:30am and witness the re-signing of the Onkaparinga Collaborative Approach signatory document. This document is signed by all members and organisations in the Onkaparinga Region that pledge to collaborate in ending domestic violence. Tickets can be purchased through Eventbrite—call Jo Renshaw on 0429 269 320 or email joanne.renshaw@sa.gov.au.
Day 16 – Friday 10 December
Participate in a Dawn Vigil at Port Noarlunga Jetty from 5:30am to pay your respects to the more than one woman that is murdered by a partner or former partner in Australia each week. Candles will be lit to remember and reflect on those no longer with us.
Parliament House in Adelaide will again be lit in orange from 7:30pm as the 16 Days draws to a close. A photo and minute’s silence will be conducted at 7:45pm.
Taking a stand
Pictured: Helen and Heather Oxenham from Spirit of Woman at the site of the new Place of Courage artwork in Rotary Park, Christies Beach.