16 days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence started on November 25th, International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and ends on December 10th, the International Day of Human Rights.

This year in Australia, 52 women have died at the hands of their intimate partner or family member. Globally, a woman is killed every 10 seconds under the same circumstances.

NORWAC has chosen to highlight this event by remembering the women who have been lost this year with a moving display of empty shoes, where attendees were invited to place a flower in memory of those lost.

Emma Siegel, the manager at the Lismore Women's Health and Resource Centre, was one of the women behind the event.

“We always support the 16 days of activism. It's an international initiative that's been going since 1991 and we usually do some kind of event or grassroots action. 

“No more empty shoes, which is what we're doing today, placing women's shoes and flowers to remember the women that have died in Australia at the hands of their intimate partner or other family member.

“We just want to stand up and say it's enough. We want to keep these women in the front of our minds in the conversation. They're not just statistics.

“Women have the right to feel safe in their own homes. They have the right to feel safe on the streets. So we wanted to use this installation to take up space, to bring the conversation to the community.”

Shoes of all types were used in an artistic sense, setting up a powerful metaphor. No longer in use - they represented the end of an unfulfilled journey. Destiny cut short.

“It's not just a women's issue; it’s a human rights issue, and we need to keep putting pressure on our lawmakers and governments to continue taking action.”

Many gathered to pay respects to those lost, including two women, Kelly and Camille, who happened past and decided to join when they realised what it was about. 

“We wanted to stay and be a part and support such a good cause bringing awareness to the community,” said Camille, “It brings a space of reflection for me about how important it is to remain aware and educated about what's happening in our community.”

Kelly added, “The shoes are a powerful visual representation. It’s like an artwork. It’s left me feeling moved.”

(Kelly and Camille paying respects)

John Leggott was also drawn in as he was coming past. Initially attracted by the colour and curiosity of what was happening, he stayed to pay some respects, bearing in mind an experience he had with a former partner who had grown up in a situation that normalised abuse.  

In the absence of abuse, she has started to perpetrate it, and the relationship didn’t last. John believes her trauma is affecting her current relationship.

“What women endure because they want to keep their families together. It just goes on, never stops once it starts, and it gets worse. How do you break that cycle?”

It was an emotional experience, and tears threatened when he thought about his granddaughters and the dangers they could face.

NORWAC and other organisations are holding events to help women around this event.  

(Madeline's statement earrings were made locally by Paulette Hayes.)

One program by Women's Outreach Trauma and Health Services, or WORTH, is holding a series of workshops around the area called Green Flags. Alice, a domestic violence specialist at WORTH co developed the program as a positive way of approaching relationships.

“Green Flags is a day-long workshop, and we talk about healthy relationships and green flags to look out for. We also talk about boundary setting and ways that we can set boundaries for ourselves.”

There is one workshop left for this year in Ballina on December 3rd, but due to the popularity of the program, it will be rolled out again next year in Lismore and surrounding towns.

For more information on NORWAC and the 16 days of activism, have a look at the Norwacs Facebook page.