Resources to support the upswell of concern about violence against women. Includes tips for strategic campaigns that win results.
Introduction
In Australia a terrible increase in murders of women has sparked community outrage and rallies around the country.
The visibility of outrage about violence against women goes up and down: rising steeply when the spotlight is on each preventable death, then fading out of sight in the face of the overwhelming problem, media short attention span and government inaction. Of course many people have been working consistently on gender equity for years, and that work continues whether the spotlight is on it or not.
There’s a whole lot of opportunity in the way the public conversation has opened up about sexism and violence. The issue is getting attention. People are angry, upset and offended. There are undoubtedly people prepared to take action. But where will all that energy go?
One-off protests can be cathartic but ongoing campaigns are what win substantial change, making the most of political opportunity. Campaigns build a profile, set the terms of debate, mobilise concerned constituents, win new allies, and build power over time.
Here are some key ingredients for campaigns that can seize the moment and build momentum.
Key Campaign Ingredients
Cut the Issue
Find one issue to campaign on, not the whole kit and caboodle of mistreatment of women in the whole world. Some questions to consider when finding the right issue to campaign on:
- What’s the problem?
- How do you know it’s a problem?
- Because people say so, because the research backs it up?
- Who is affected by the problem?
- Are they concerned about it?
- Will they speak out about it?
- Who cares about it? How do you know?
- Ask people, do research, look into polls, scan past demonstrations of sentiment.
- Do a lot of people care about it, and do they care enough to take action?
- Do people get fired up about it?
- Is there anger or other emotion around this issue?
- What are the solutions or partial solutions to this problem?
- Is there a particular outcome that you can win that will improve the situation?
Focus on an Attainable Solution
In the area of gender equity people often come up with solutions which are about cultural change and awareness raising. Although this is obviously crucial it is possible to affect both of these by campaigning for something tangible, such as increased funding for services, increased welfare payments to enable women to leave violent partners, and housing support. It is easier to build a movement which focuses the concern, anger and action of participants at achieving an actual winnable solution. If you have come up with an issue to campaign on consider:
- Who can deliver the change you want to see?
- Is there a decision-maker or power-holder with responsibility?
- What would it take to win the change you want to see?
- What would shift the position of the power holder?
- Can you see a path from here to the win that is feasible?
- What are the forces for and against success?
- Who are your allies?
- Who are your opponents?
Try applying these questions to the five demands of the No More rallies in April 2024.
Tell a Compelling Story
Consider:
- What is the central conflict in your campaign?
- Who are the goodies and baddies?
- Do people relate to that portrayal of conflict, does it resonate with many people’s experiences or world-view?
- Who are the characters in your campaign story?
- How can you amplify the voices of those most affected?
- How can you make your issue visual and emotive?
- Can you use popular culture or existing memes to ‘piggy-back’ your story?
Build a Sustainable Infrastructure
Campaigns need people working together effectively and resources to have an impact.
- What resources can you gather for this fight?
- Who can offer leadership (in many different forms)?
- Who is the right messenger or spokesperson for this campaign?
- How will new activists and supporters be engaged and developed?
- How will communication and decision-making happen in the campaign team?
- How will you learn from experiences, manage data, reflect, evaluate and strategise?
Space has opened up around sexism – imagine stepping into that space with a well thought through campaign which could channel community concern and activist energy to win significant social change.
To dig deeper into campaign planning see Campaign Strategy: Start Here.
Resources for Learning and Action
Connect with Others
- Join a feminist organisation and/or support existing campaigns. See Fair Agenda, The Sydney Feminists link directory and the Wikipedia Feminist Organisations in Australia list. Sign up to the What Were You Wearing mailing list. You can also join or start a feminist Meet-Up group.
- Join your union and connect with the women’s caucus in your union or state Trades & Labor Council.
- Join a bookclub such as Women’s Melbourne Network, Women’s Electoral Lobby Feminist Book Clubs, or these online options.
- Start an Affinity Group for Non-Violent Direct Action or start a Consciousness Raising Group.
- Donate to organisations that share your values and are making a difference.
Skill Up
- Watch sessions from the ChangeMakers Organising School and Momentum webinars.
- Try the Psychology of Political Activism: Women Changing the World online course.
- Read Tips for Campaigning Women, including insights about building effective groups and coalitions.
- Run effective and engaging events with Family Friendly Organising, Facilitating for Gender Balance, and How to Make Your Social Justice Event Accessible.
- Explore the Commons – The whole Commons Social Change Library is all about learning to be more effective change agents. Follow the links to different topics in New to Activism, Organising & Campaigning? Start Here!
Understand Intersectionality & Be Inclusive
- Watch Kimberlé Crenshaw’s TED talk on The urgency of intersectionality.
- My Feminism Will Be Intersectional or It Will Be Bullshit!, Flavia Dzodan, 2011.
- Read the Intertwine Charter: Going beyond anti-discrimination and towards pro-active change to welcome others.
- Read 5 Things to Know to Make Your Feminism Trans-Inclusive.
- Explore the Climate Justice and Feminism Resource Collection.
- Study Ideas for Social Justice from bell hooks.
- How victim blaming is heightened when sexism intersects with race, Celeste Liddle, 2017.
- Carceral feminism and coercive control: when Indigenous women aren’t seen as ideal victims, witnesses or women, The Conversation, 2021.
- Learn about the Nature and extent of violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation against people with disability in Australia (Royal Commission report) and read AFDO factsheets and an AIHW report.
Know Your History
- Australian Gender Equality Milestones from 1882 to today, Victorian Women’s Trust.
- The Long History of Gender Violence in Australia, and Why It Matters Today, Alana Piper and and Ana Stevenson in The Conversation, 2019.
- Preventing Violence Against Women – An Australian Timeline: 1970-2015, VicHealth.
- The long and storied history of transgender people in Australia and beyond and Victoria’s Transgender History.
- 3 Strategies Today’s Activist Women Share with Their Foremothers, Liette Gidlow in The Conversation, 2018.
- Watch Brazen Hussies for insights into the Australian Women’s Liberation Movement in the 1960s and 1970s.
- Essential Elements for Turning a Cause into a Movement: Lessons from the Suffrage Struggle for Today’s Activists
Stay Inspired
- Inspiring quotes from women leaders and activists.
- Read Books about Women & Leadership and Women’s Stories of Environmental Activism.
- Listen to Feminist podcasts we can’t stop talking about plus:
- Watch Films about Women & Social Change, plus:
- 5 films about fighting for gender justice and fundamental human rights
- TED talk: Black women – Tipping the balance: Michelle Deshong
- TED talk: How to overcome apathy and find your power: Dolores Huerta
- All in For A Feminist Recovery: Plenary recording from Virtual Progress 2020
Contact Us
Contact the Commons librarians for more recommended resources, or to add your own tips to support future actions.
