Broadmeadows youth-led community group, Good People Act Now (GPAN) has marked 10 years of working to promote gender equality and prevent gender-based violence in Melbourne.
GPAN strives to support young people and other community members to be active bystanders and leaders among their peers as advocates for gender equality.
Gender equity co-ordinator Georgia Ransome says that across the project’s 10-year history their mission remains the same.
“We hope to continue expanding our network of GPAN volunteers,” she said,
“We also hope that other organisations across Victoria and Australia will set up similar networks to GPAN, expanding the reach and impact of respectful relationship programs for young people.
“… We are most proud of all the young people who continue to volunteer for the project year after year.”
The grassroots project celebrated 10 years of its commitment to educating young people across Melbourne and shifting community attitudes, but Ms Ransome says that there is still work to do.
“Unfortunately, 10 years on, we have not noticed a shift in the rates of family violence and gender-based violence in Hume or beyond,” she said.
“Rates of violence continue to increase across the state.
“We know that we are generations from noticing a meaningful change in these statistics.
“This change will come from educating young people about gender equality and respectful relationships, and stopping the violence before it starts.”
