Western Sydney Community Forum Logo

Latest News & Media

Reclaim the Night

Diverse range of woman at an empowering event posing as strong individuals
Latest News

“Stop the violence, break the silence!” The issue of Gendered Violence was discussed by a panel of diverse and influential women, which provided a platform to share personal stories and experiences to explore strategies towards ending violence against women and attitudes of victim-blaming.

Phillipa Nagy and Malaina Lo (Western Sydney Community Forum Interns) attended the panel discussion about Gendered Violence on 12 October 2016 at the University of Technology (UTS) Sydney, Ultimo. This event was hosted by students of the UTS and included a panel of diverse women: Jenny Munro (Wiradjuri Elder), Subeta Vimalarajah (Journalist and Human Rights Activist) and Andrea Zephyr (Transgender woman).

Reclaim the Night was an empowering event that facilitated a forum for raw, personal experiences to be shared in a safe space. Practical strategies were discussed, which included the perspectives of women who had experienced gendered violence and victim blaming attitudes. The take away messages of the event were as follows:

Do not take ‘no’ for an answer and challenge the forms of patriarchy that continue to oppress women in society – Jenny Munro.

Acknowledge the intersectionality of feminism, and the presence of male allies – Subeta Vimalarajah.

Stop the practice of victim blaming and challenge cultural norms. Abortion (decided by a transgendered person) is a ‘reproductive right not a gendered right.’ – Andrea Zephyr.

The Q&A session that wrapped up the discussion highlighted that Australia is leading in the movement with employment legislation permitting paid leave due to domestic violence.

Attendees of the event were provided the opportunity to donate to the cause and a total amount of $523.80 was raised. To conclude the night, a photograph was taken to capture the collective action required to challenge and fight against a patriarchial society.

For more information, please visit the Reclaim the Night Facebook page via the link provided: https://www.facebook.com/ReclaimTheNightSydney

Related posts

Heading (2)
Latest News
With the unveiling of the first Budget by a NSW Labor Government in 12 years, I—like many others in Western Sydney’s community sector—watched with interest for signs that the new government was committed to taking the bold steps needed to address the challenges facing the region. However, what I witnessed this week was a budget that did not step up to those challenges.
Support-Services-Gaza-Conflict-1024x330
Latest News
The escalation of violent conflict in Israel and Gaza is being felt by communities in Western Sydney, and it may be affecting your staff or the people you work with. Multicultural NSW has developed a list of support services available for people who may be impacted at this time.
NSW-Budget-2023-Statement-FINAL
Latest News
With the unveiling of the first Budget by a NSW Labor Government in 12 years, I—like many others in Western Sydney’s community sector—watched with interest for signs that the new government was committed to taking the bold steps needed to address the challenges facing the region. However, what I witnessed this week was a budget that did not step up to those challenges.
Federal-Budget-2023-FINAL-1024x330
Change ReadinessCommunity DevelopmentEventsGovernanceGovernanceInfrastructureLatest NewsMedia ReleaseTransportYouth
Since the budget announcement on Tuesday night, I have been reflecting on what all this means for the community and human services industry, and more importantly for the people of Western Sydney that we support. On budget night, I saw a shift in the national narrative with the Government’s approach to people experiencing vulnerabilities. I saw a shift in how income support and rental assistance was viewed, that it is a security safety net for times when people are in need and at times of crisis.
Economies thrive when communities do equity and the NSW State Budget 2020-21
Change ReadinessCommunity DevelopmentEventsGovernanceGovernanceInfrastructureLatest NewsMedia ReleaseTransportYouth
As I tuned into the NSW Government’s Budget 2020-21 announcement on Tuesday, I couldn’t help but hold a level of anticipation. Amid recent announcements that Australia is facing a recession, I needed to know as I scanned the influx of media announcements – was Western Sydney going to be a ‘winner’ in this year’s budget?
A guy holding a boomerang looking at smoke with people watching
Latest NewsMedia Release
Western Sydney Community Forum welcomes a recent Mayoral Minute adopted by Council as a measure towards reconciliation for communities in Western Sydney. Mayor Dr Michelle Byrne of The Hills Shire Council made a significant motion regarding reconciliation in the region. The Mayoral minute was unanimously endorsed by Council where an invitation will be extended to local Aboriginal Elders to meet with Council, and an Acknowledgement to Country will be included in Citizenship Ceremonies and at major community events.

Recent posts

Heading (2)
Latest News
With the unveiling of the first Budget by a NSW Labor Government in 12 years, I—like many others in Western Sydney’s community sector—watched with interest for signs that the new government was committed to taking the bold steps needed to address the challenges facing the region. However, what I witnessed this week was a budget that did not step up to those challenges.
Support-Services-Gaza-Conflict-1024x330
Latest News
The escalation of violent conflict in Israel and Gaza is being felt by communities in Western Sydney, and it may be affecting your staff or the people you work with. Multicultural NSW has developed a list of support services available for people who may be impacted at this time.
NSW-Budget-2023-Statement-FINAL
Latest News
With the unveiling of the first Budget by a NSW Labor Government in 12 years, I—like many others in Western Sydney’s community sector—watched with interest for signs that the new government was committed to taking the bold steps needed to address the challenges facing the region. However, what I witnessed this week was a budget that did not step up to those challenges.
Federal-Budget-2023-FINAL-1024x330
Change ReadinessCommunity DevelopmentEventsGovernanceGovernanceInfrastructureLatest NewsMedia ReleaseTransportYouth
Since the budget announcement on Tuesday night, I have been reflecting on what all this means for the community and human services industry, and more importantly for the people of Western Sydney that we support. On budget night, I saw a shift in the national narrative with the Government’s approach to people experiencing vulnerabilities. I saw a shift in how income support and rental assistance was viewed, that it is a security safety net for times when people are in need and at times of crisis.
Economies thrive when communities do equity and the NSW State Budget 2020-21
Change ReadinessCommunity DevelopmentEventsGovernanceGovernanceInfrastructureLatest NewsMedia ReleaseTransportYouth
As I tuned into the NSW Government’s Budget 2020-21 announcement on Tuesday, I couldn’t help but hold a level of anticipation. Amid recent announcements that Australia is facing a recession, I needed to know as I scanned the influx of media announcements – was Western Sydney going to be a ‘winner’ in this year’s budget?
Skip to content