Gender equity partnerships

GenWest is the lead agency for the prevention of family violence in Melbourne’s west.

We coordinate Preventing Violence Together (PVT) regional partnership, which made up of 26 key organisations in Melbourne’s west.

The PVT Strategy

The partnership works to implement actions within ‘Preventing Violence Together 2030: Western Region Strategy to Prevent Violence Against Women’ (PVT 2030). The strategy ensures an effective and integrated approach to this work.

Download the Preventing Violence Together: 2030 regional strategy:

The strategy sets out a strategic, coordinated, action-based approach to the prevention of family violence across the west, tailored to the particular needs and characteristics of Melbourne’s west.

The strategy was developed following consultation with partners, service providers and communities of interest, to ensure it is relevant and tailored to the unique needs and context of Melbourne’s western region.

It is accompanied by a Background Paper:

About the partnership

The Partnership was launched in 2010, and was the first regional strategy of its kind in Victoria. Many other regions have since adopted a similar partnership approach to prevention.

The Partnership recognises that good cross-sector working and long-term funding are integral to establishing primary prevention efforts that are effective and comprehensive.

Download the partnership agreement:

The partnership is composed of 26 organisations, including:

Implementing partners

• Brimbank City Council
• Cohealth
• Djerriwarrh Health Services
• GenWest (formerly Women’s Health West)
• HealthWest Primary Care Partnership
• Hobsons Bay City Council
• Inner North West Primary Care Partnership
• Maribyrnong City Council
• Melbourne City Council
• Melton City Council
• MiCare
• Moonee Valley City Council
• Victoria University
• Western Bulldogs Community Foundation
• Wyndham City Council

Associate partners

• Department of Education (Brimbank Melton)
• Department of Education (South Western Melbourne)
• Department of Health and Human Services (West Division)
• Department of Justice (West Metropolitan Regional Office)
• Greater Western Water (formerly City West Water)
• IndianCare
• IPC Health
• Victoria Police
• Western Region Centre Against Sexual Assault (WestCASA)
• Western Integrated Family Violence Committee (WIFVC)
• West Metro Elder Abuse Prevention Network (Merri Health)

Gender Equity and violence prevention training for organisations

GenWest offers workforce development and training sessions to organisations in Melbourne’s western metropolitan region.

The training aims to equip workplaces with the tools and knowledge to achieve gender equity in the workplace.

Gender equitable workplaces benefit from improved productivity and economic growth, increased organisational performance, and enhanced ability to attract and retain employees. 

Workplaces are an important setting in which to foster a culture that rejects violence supportive attitudes and practices and promotes active bystander action. 

Read more about the training we offer and find out how to book for your organisation.

16 Days of Activism: A movement to end gender-based violence

16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence runs from 25 November to 10 December ever year. It is an international campaign to:

• raise awareness
• advocate for women
• take action to end violence against women.

Visit our 16 Day page to find out about:

• Events across Melbourne's west hosted by councils, community organisations, charities and community groups this year
• Past campaigns for 16 Days of Activism
• How to get help if you, or someone you know, is experiencing family violence
• Why focus on men’s violence against women
• What can you do this 16 Days?

GenWest lead the Action for Equity sexual and reproductive health partnership.

This partnership plans and implements collaborative, region-wide programs to improve the sexual and reproductive health of communities in the west.

About the partnership and strategy

The work of the partnership is guided by a strategy, Action for Equity: a sexual and reproductive health strategy for Melbourne’s west 2024-2030.

Download the strategy below:

Action for Equity’s vision is a community where everyone has the:

• Freedom to express their gender, sex, sexuality and individuality
• The right to healthy, respectful relationships and a pleasurable sex life
• The right to control decision making, to support active and informed decisions about their sexual and reproductive health free from violence (including reproductive coercion), stigma and discrimination
• Equitable access to health services and programs that are inclusive and culturally sensitive and appropriate

The plan is supported by a collaborative partnership of 22 organisations, including:

• Brimbank City Council
• Maribyrnong City Council
• Wyndham City Council
• Hobsons Bay City Council
• Moonee Valley City Council
• Melton City Council
• cohealth
• IPC Health
• Department of Education
• Centre for Culture, Ethnicity and Health (Multicultural and Health Support Services)
• LiverWELL
• Thorne Harbour Health
• North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network
• GenWest (lead agency)

The Action for Equity partnership delivers a range of programs for and with communities in the west. These are summarised below, for more information on these, and details on how to get involved, see our Health and Wellbeing Programs section.