16 Days of Activism
25 November to 10 December
On average, a woman in Australia is killed by a man they know every 4-5 days. This violence is not inevitable - it is preventable.
The 16 Days of Activism is a global campaign to end gender-based violence. Every year, communities around the world join the call to prevent and eliminate violence against women and girls and all forms of gender-based violence.
Council is committed to building a community that is safe, inclusive and respectful and where everyone can live free from violence, and the fear of violence.
In 2025, we held the Free to Be Me photo competition and exhibition, and a range of other activities, including a Walk Against Family Violence, a Story Walk, film screenings, panel discussions and more.
Free to Be Me Photo Competition
Congratulations to the winners of the 2025 Free to Be Me Photo Competition — and thank you to everyone who submitted an entry, cast a vote or joined us at the exhibition.
View the winning entries
With thanks to Maddisons of Gisborne, The Social Foundry, Zonta Club of Kyneton, Sunbury and Cobaw Community Health, Women's Health Loddon Mallee, and Safe+Equal Respect Victoria.
Walk against family violence
Thank you to everyone who joined us for the Walk Against Family Violence on Monday 24 November 2025.
The walk is an important opportunity to come together, reflect on the impacts of gendered violence, and renew our shared commitment to preventing it.
Special thanks go out to our partners from Zonta Club of Kyneton, Sunbury and Cobaw Community Health, and Women's Health Loddon Mallee; and our guest speakers Angel, Maxine, and Dr Innocent Mwatsiya from La Trobe University’s Reducing Gender-based Violence Research Group.
Find an event
Local events are listed below as details are confirmed.
If you or your community group are holding a community event as part of the 16 Days of Activism, register your event and we'll include it in the list.
Prevention of violence is a challenge that belongs to us all. We encourage community to get involved and stand with victim-survivors as we move towards a culture where women are safe, equal and respected.
If you have any questions or feedback about this campaign, call (03) 5422 0333 or email comdevadmin@mrsc.vic.gov.au