Greensborough Focus 

Respectful Relationships

Greensborough College is building a culture of respect and gender equality through the rolling out of the Respectful Relationships government led initiative. The Greensborough Colllege Positive Climate for Learning Team have joined forces, working collaboratively with other schools within the region to promote and model respect, positive attitudes and behaviours. The program aims to teach students of all year levels how to build healthy relationships, resilience and confidence.

International Women’s Day (IWD) which is on the 8th of March is an important reminder of the importance of the Respectful Relationships initiative. As it comes around each year, it is a time to celebrate the achievement of all women regardless of faith, race, ethnicity, or sexual identity. It is also an important time to reflect that whilst we have come a long way since the first IWD in 1908, there is still a long way to go.

Some stats to remind us why this initiative is so important:

  • 87,000 women are killed every year, 50,000 of those are killed by their male partners or family members.
  • 2.7 billion women are legally restricted from having the same jobs as men.
  • There are 45 countries that don’t have specific laws against domestic violence.
  • Globally, 35% of women have experienced some sort of sexual or physical violence.
  • 74 Australian women were killed in 2019 due to domestic violence.
  • Women, on average earn 25-40% less than men who do the same job

International Women’s Day is on the 8th March 2020 but we can be better and do better all year round, let’s not leave it to one day, here some simple ways to get started:

  1. Read about influential women. There are a range of great books out there that target various age groups. A great one for Secondary students is Goodnight Stories for Rebel Girls.
  2. Watch empowering films. Some great films for secondary students include Bend it like Beckham, Queen of Katwe, Wonder Woman and Hidden Figures. Do a quick google and explore more.
  3. Create and deliver handmade cards to show your appreciation to the important women in your life.
  4. Be deliberate in the choices that you make. Think about how you can support the women in your world. Go for that book with the female author, support businesses run by women or is there another way you can support women?
  5. Learn more about this movement: Knowledge is power!

‘Women’s rights are human rights’

 

Jacqueline Melia

Learning Leader (Positive Climate for Learning)