Ending violence against women is a Ministerial priority for the Australian aid program and a target under Goal 5 of the Sustainable Development Goals. In 2011-12, AUD 93 million was dedicated to ending violence against women globally over four years. Many of the programs funded through that budget measure are now coming to a close, making it a pertinent time to reassess approaches to eliminating violence against women (EVAW). 

In the law and justice space, EVAW programming often focuses heavily on responding to violence. For instance, programs support legislative change to criminalise violence, establish women’s desks or units within police services, or work to improve referral systems once a woman is in the formal justice system. This panel seeks to explore how the law and justice community are working on prevention of violence against women and the range of activities that this covers, including beyond what might be thought of as the conventional bounds of law and justice assistance.

Panellists will draw on their extensive experience in justice, policing and gender work to discuss the breadth of approaches being deployed across diverse contexts – from PNG to Pakistan; and from legislative change, to work with religious leaders, to addressing alcoholism as a trigger of violence. Discussion will centre on what we have learned about what works and what does not; what research and experience informs our law and justice programming on VAW; the intersections between the various approaches; and what might be missing from current programming.

The panel will be moderated by Professor Jacqui True from Monash University and provide ample time for audience discussion, followed by an informal drinks reception.

Chair: Professor Veronica Taylor, Australian National University and Co-Convenor of the Law and Justice Development Community of Practice

Moderator: Professor Jacqui True, Monash University

Panellists include:

• Cheryl Clay, Program Manager, Ending Violence Against Women in Cambodia Program, Coffey International
• Dr Abby McLeod, Coordinator, Australian Federal Police and Gender and Family Violence Adviser, Pacific Judicial Strengthening Initiative
• Kath Taplin, Independent lawyer working on law and development