Faced with one of the highest rates of family violence in the state, Whittlesea council will use a Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) grant to ensure public buildings are more welcoming and inclusive places for all genders.
The council was one of 10 to receive funding from the MAV’s local government prevention of family violence against women grants program.
The grants were distributed to councils undertaking projects that educate and support communities about stopping family violence.
Whittlesea council plans to use its grant to develop guideline to ensure that when new community facilities are built they are equally welcoming of all genders.
Council community services director Russell Hopkins said the project was based on research that gender inequality was one of the drivers of violence against women.
“Research shows that the way community facilities are designed can unintentionally exclude women and girls, men and boys,” Mr Hopkins said.
“By designing our facilities to ensure they encourage gender equity, councils can provide environments where women and men can participate equally.”
He said the facilities would feature gender inclusive designs, such as flexible change rooms, family-friendly social spaces and baby change equipment in mixed-gender toilets.
Council centres, including kindergartens, sports pavilions, neighbourhood houses and maternal and child health centres, would be included in the project.
In 2015-16, 2868 family violence incidents were recorded in Whittlesea by police, up four per cent from the year before.
“By improving gender inequality, we can reduce violence against women,” Mr Hopkins said.
MAV chief executive Rob Spence said the grants would help the work councils are already doing to address family violence.
“Violence against women is not exclusive to one municipality. It’s a national problem,” Mr Spence said.
