CONTENT WARNING: This article discusses domestic violence.
In a year that’s been nothing short of a dumpster fire for women’s rights globally, hundreds of Australians are expected to gather to say no to violence against women. This Saturday 16 November, the National Rally Collective is bringing together communities across the country to shine a light on the shocking number of women lost to violence in 2024.
81 women have been killed in Australia this year alone, according to femicide researcher Sherele Moody. That’s not just a statistic, even Anthony Albanese declared that Australia faced a “national crisis” of violence against women (although he fell short of describing it as a national emergency).
The National Rally Collective, a group led by over 100 victim-survivors and community members, is behind this weekend’s rallies. They create “grassroots events in our communities in order to come together as one, heal and advocate for change”.
They are the same team behind the ‘No More Rallies’ gatherings in April which saw 100,000 Aussies come out and was organised in partnership with What Were You Wearing.
Madison Hooker, Volunteer Team Lead, put it bluntly to 9News: “These [women] are our teachers, our soccer coaches, our neighbours, people that you see regularly at the doctor’s office.
“It’s so beyond heartbreaking. There’s no other word for it really.”
The grim reality is that on average, one woman is killed every nine days by a current or former partner in Australia and one in six women has experienced physical or sexual violence from a current or former partner.
Just last weekend, mother-of-two Shirley So became the 81st woman killed this year, found with stab wounds in a hotel room in Penrith. Her 53-year-old partner has since been charged with her murder.
If you’re keen to join the rally, here’s where you can find them on Saturday, 16 November (all times are local):
- Boorloo/Perth: Parliament House, 6:30pm
- Naarm/Melbourne: Parliament House, 6:30pm
- Ngunnwal Canberra: Garema Pl, 6:30pm
- Meanjin/Brisbane: King George Square, 6:30pm
- Djilang/Geelong: Johnstone Park, 6:30pm
- Gadigal/Sydney: Hyde Park, 6:30pm
- Mulubinba/Newcastle: Newcastle Museum, 6:30pm
- Geegeelup/Bridgetown WA: Bridgetown Hub, 6:30pm
For people in Garamila/Darwin, you’re kicking things off early on Friday 15 November at Mindil Beach Grass Area at 6:30pm.
The organisers are calling it a candlelight vigil, describing it as “an event for everyone to come together to reflect, mourn and heal”. They’re asking attendees to bring fake candles and flowers. National Rally Collective are also encouraging men to attend, “It’s time you stand with women!”
The Collective acknowledged that “there is a lot of shocking news around the world at the moment and it’s time we bring our nation back together to remember those we have lost”. Too right.
With Donald Trump about to be back in the White House and harmful rhetoric towards women on the rise online (we’re looking at you, “Your body, my choice” idiots), not to mention women in Afghanistan being banned from speaking to each other, it’s clear we’ve got a global problem on our hands. And with 81 women killed in our own backyard this year, it’s time we focus. This rally is a reminder of the lives that have been lost and hopefully will serve as a warning if we do not take action as a collective.
More details can be found on National Rally Collective socials.
Lead image: Getty Images
Help is available.
- If you require immediate assistance, please call 000.
- If you’d like to speak to someone about domestic violence, please call the 1800 Respect hotline on 1800 737 732 or chat online.
- Under 25? You can reach Kids Helpline at 1800 55 1800 or chat online.
The post Where To Attend The National Rallies Remembering The 81 Women Killed In Australia This Weekend appeared first on PEDESTRIAN.TV .
