The 25th of November marked the start of the international 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence campaign. This campaign calls for the prevention and elimination of violence against women and girls across the globe.

Gender-based violence is a global public health, gender equality and human rights priority. Our union and the union movement more broadly has faced this crisis determined to do our part campaigning for policies and actions that protect women and girls from violence.

This year in July, Queensland union women were instrumental in the campaign to secure the Preventing and responding to workplace sexual harassment directive in the Queensland Public Service. The key focus of this directive is on prevention of sexual harassment in the workplace, but also has a significant focus on supporting people who make complaints about sexual harassment.

Watch the video below to hear from Assistant Secretary Dee Spink talking about this Directive.

Together and the Queensland Council of Unions have also actively campaigned for new regulations and codes of practice mandating employers to establish policies focused on preventing sexual harassment and psychosocial hazards, rather than relying on a complaints-based system. Employers will be responsible for engaging workers and their representatives in creating strategies to mitigate the risks of harassment and psychosocial hazards within the workplace.

It is union members who are driving this crucial changes in communities and our workplaces aimed at better protection women and girls from gender-based violence.