Power of Campaigns: General Info

The YWCA of Adelaide campaigns on three priority areas which affect the lives of women and girls:

• violence against women and girls
• self image
• gender role stereotypes.

Violence against women and girls

YWCA of Adelaide believes that all steps possible – legal, social and cultural – should be taken to reduce and eliminate violence against women and girls.

We implement a Violence Against Women Advocacy Action Plan, run programs with young women at risk, run leadership programs for young professionals, provide a youth mentoring service, run events and campaigns addressing violence against women and girls, and participate in public actions such as Reclaim the Night.

YWCA of Adelaide echoes the existing calls among the domestic violence sector for the establishment of a Domestic Violence Death Review process in South Australia. Death Review Teams operate in Canada and the US, and in Victoria and New South Wales. Find out about the YWCA of Adelaide DV Death Review Forum by clicking here.

Self Image

YWCA of Adelaide believes that all women and girls should have access to safe and supportive environments that contribute to the development of a healthy self image.

We implement a Self Image Advocacy Action Plan, address body image, mental health and self esteem through our Life Skills programs with young people, aim to increase self esteem of young women through our Young Women’s Program, increase mental health and self esteem for Littlies in the Big Brothers Big Sisters Program, and run positive self image events and campaigns.

YWCA of Adelaide is concerned about the early sexualisation of girls and was pleased in July 2010 when a Private Members Bill passed in the Upper House to regulate tween magazines. A recent media article relating to this is an article on Scrutiny for Tween Magazines.

Gender Role Stereotypes

YWCA of Adelaide believes that all members of the community have a role in challenging traditional gender role stereotypes.

We implement a Gender Role Stereotype Action Plan, run leadership programs for young professionals, apply a gender lens to all our programs, promotional and advocacy materials, training and community events, and are represented by staff in a variety of settings such as on boards, committees, at forums and conferences where gender role stereotyping is highlighted.

YWCA of Adelaide actively campaigns to close the gender pay gap. Recent YWCA of Adelaide media articles relating to gender role stereotypes include an article on Part Time Plan to Fix the Pay Gap.

Website development was funded by the
Mental Health Council of Australia