Thousands Rally Across Australian Capitals Demanding Justice for Gender-Based Violence

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has declared violence against women an "epidemic" in Australia, as thousands rally in major cities demanding tougher laws following a wave of gendered violence. This year alone, a woman has been killed every four days, and a recent mass stabbing in Sydney claimed five female victims.

The rallies, organized by the "March 4 Justice" movement, called for stronger legislation and greater action to address the crisis of violence against women in Australia. Activists emphasized the need for systemic change to address the underlying societal issues that contribute to violence against women. Albanese acknowledged the "heartbreaking" situation and pledged to work with state and territory leaders to address the crisis, including through a national summit on domestic and family violence.

According to Destroy the Joint figures, 26 women have allegedly died by male violence in Australia this year, equating to a woman killed every four days. The rise in deaths has led Victoria Police to renew its calls for a register of convicted family violence offenders, which was previously proposed to the Royal Commission into Family Violence. Our Watch chief executive Patty Kinnersly said the shocking rate of violent deaths of women this year exceeds anything Australia has experienced in recent years, and that no community is safe.

Why this matters: The epidemic of violence against women in Australia has far-reaching consequences for individuals, families, and society as a whole. The rallies and calls for action underscore the urgent need for comprehensive measures to address the root causes of gendered violence and ensure the safety and well-being of women across the country.

The issue of violence against women has become intertwined with debates around social media, misinformation, and the role of tech companies in moderating content. The government is seeking to compel social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter) to remove graphic footage of the Sydney attacks, while also considering changes to online safety legislation. Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus acknowledged the need to do more to address men's violence, while Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young called for the Prime Minister to declare it an "urgent national emergency".

Speakers at the rallies stressed the importance of education, intersectionality, and men's involvement in addressing this crisis. "Violence against women is an epidemic," Prime Minister Albanese stated, acknowledging that governments and society need to do better to address this pressing issue.

Key Takeaways

• PM Albanese declares violence against women an "epidemic" in Australia.
• Thousands rally in major cities demanding tougher laws on gendered violence.
• A woman killed every 4 days in Australia this year, with 26 deaths so far.
• Calls for systemic change to address underlying societal issues contributing to violence.
• Government seeks to address crisis, including through a national summit on domestic violence.