Claire Clutterham (Sturt, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

():  From 25 November to 10 December, we mark the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, a global campaign calling for an end to violence against women and girls. Recently, I had the privilege of meeting with Kae and Lindy from the Flinders club of Zonta International in Adelaide, an organisation doing remarkable work to empower women and girls in our community. Zonta stands for women's rights and advocates for equality, education and an end to child marriage and gender based violence. In Adelaide, Zonta's efforts range from advocacy to practical support such as contributing handmade breast pads for inclusion in packs given to new mothers leaving hospital who would otherwise be leaving with nothing. These small acts of care make a big difference.

This year I proudly wear the orange ribbon, alongside many of my parliamentary colleagues, as a visible symbol of solidarity and commitment to ending gender based violence. I am proud to serve in a government that is committed to ending violence against women and children—a government that has invested more than $4 billion towards this goal. Violence against women is preventable. It requires awareness, action and accountability. Let's use these 16 days, and every day, to work towards a future where women and girls live free from violence.

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