Today is International Human Rights Day, which sets the scene nicely for a lot of activity happening with our partners in the region.

On this final day of the 16 Days of Activism against violence against women, the IEPCP gets up close and personal with Minister for Prevention of Family Violence, Gabrielle Williams MP.

'I am absolutely resolute about the fact, that people deserve and have the right to be safe and thrive'

Gabrielle Williams, MP
Minister for Prevention of Family Violence
Minister for Women
Minister for Youth

Surveys
VCOSS Survey: short term funding
Many programs are now funded, on a short-term basis, year after year...
VCOSS  wish to highlight this trend of ‘drip funding’ in their ongoing advocacy work and are compiling a list of all the ongoing programs/initiatives funded in this manner.
Can you help by filling out the survey?
SANE Australia: Our Turn to Speak Survey
SANE Australia is interested to learn about the experiences of people (aged 18 years and over) living with complex mental health issues across Victoria. The information in the survey is of a sensitive nature, so please use your discretion to disseminate to appropriate members of your community.
Victorian Government 2nd Family Violence Workforce Census 2019
The Victorian Government wants to hear from workers across a wide range of workforces that come into contact with, provide support or assistance in family violence, even if it is not the main focus or function of their role.
They are also seeking feedback from workers who have a direct role in preventing, identifying and responding to family violence.

Volunteering Australia will be establishing a centralised repository of information for the volunteering sector, with a focus on volunteer management. The Hub will be designed by the sector, for the sector, to ensure the resources it houses are relevant and useful for volunteer management professionals across Australia.

The Gender Equity Bill was introduced to the Victorian parliament earlier this week. Our December IEPCP Ebulletin interviewee Gabrielle Williams MP announced, “We’re making history and making gender equality a non-negotiable by law – because it’s 2019 and women and girls deserve every opportunity to succeed.”
The Gender Equality Bill will mean public service organisations, universities and local councils will be required by law to publicly report on their progress against equal pay, sexual harassment and career progression practices. They will also be required to implement Gender Equality Action Plans and undertake gender impact assessments. See the full legislation here.

Grants: Safe Places Emergency Accommodation Program
The Australian Government is inviting eligible organisations to apply for capital grants under the Safe Places Emergency Accommodation program from 2020-21 to 2021-22.
The objective of the grant opportunity is to deliver new emergency and crisis accommodation for women and children experiencing domestic and family violence. It could also fund purchasing/renovations/repurposing of buildings, where it creates new emergency accommodation.

Eastern Metropolitan Partnership Report 2019
Each year the Partnership submits its independent advice to government on what it sees as the top priorities for jobs, services and infrastructure across the region. Before submitting the advice, the Partnership engages with the community to understand what is most important to the people who live, work, study and visit the region.