Moira Shire in Victoria is illuminating iconic landmarks throughout the shire with the colour orange to take a stand against gender-based violence.
Council is participating in the United Nations Orange the World 16 Days of Activism campaign targeting gender-based violence.
Sites that are being illuminated include palm trees in the Cobram roundabouts, the Yarrawonga Town Hall, the lighting in Numurkah Lake and the Barmah Heritage and Education Centre in Nathalia.
Mayor Libro Mustica said domestic and family violence has a cost of $8.1 billion dollars to the Australian economy.
“It is the leading contributor to death, disability and illness in Australia and these figures are relevant to Moira Shire,” he said.
“By having leaders in the workplace take a public stance it encourages others to do so.
“As a bright and optimistic colour, orange represents a future free from violence against women and girls.”
Mayor Mustica said by participating in the Orange the World campaign, Council is addressing a focus area from its Community Safety Strategy, in particular the key actions in relation to safety in the home by preventing family and gender based violence.
“We are actively involved in implementing innovative community programs which raise awareness about the role gender inequality plays in driving family violence and to achieve both attitudinal and behavioural changes,” he said.
“It is unacceptable that one in four Australian women has experience physical or sexual violence from a partner.”
The Orange the World 16 Days of Activism began on Saturday 25 November and will end on Sunday 10 December.
