AISV CELEBRATES 100TH INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY

The Australia India Society of Victoria’s (AISV) Taskforce Against Domestic Violence hosted a very successful  100 th International Women’s Day celebrations at the premises of the Indian Consulate General in St Kilda Road, Melbourne. It was attended by 140 people of all ethnicities and many Family  Service Organisations.

Dr Manjula O’Connor,  Vice President of AISV and Chair, AISV  Taskforce Against Domestic Violence, held several meetings with interested participating groups and worked tirelessly to organise this event. The day was made possible by co-operation and/or  funding from-    Australia India Society, The University of Melbourne’s Centre for International Mental Health, Drummond Street Services, In Touch-Previously immigrant Women’s DV Service, DISHA-Indian ladies Philanthropic organisation, The Jewish Taskforce Against Family Violence, KAPS Institute  of Management, Indya Bistro, Lord Mayors Charity Fund The North Melbourne Football Club.

The theme of the day - ‘Women And Men United To End Violence Against Women And Girls”.

JTAFV supports and mentors the Indian Tasforce Against Family Violence

This was the first ever International Women’s’ Day celebrated by an Indian organisation in Victoria, and indeed in Australia. The aim was to highlight violence against women and children in all communities.
The nature and characteristics of family constellation and dynamics varies in each community, as does the nature of disharmony, and abuse.
Each community has to find ways of strengthening its family system and protect its children and women from emotional, physical and sexual violence. 
The International Women’s Day was initiated as a formal vehicle to acknowledge the need to for a co-operative effort between men and women, community and religious leaders to find means of prevention and early intervention of Family Violence.
Sushi Das, The Age columnist as the MC superbly held the function together.
The event was attended by the public and by several members of the many ethnic communities.
As the guests arrived, they were greeted by AISV committee members and refreshment drinks and  a glass of wine  were served.   Indya Bistro  served cauliflower pakodas, chicken Tikka  as snacks
The formal procedures started with a bang by the The Indian Consul - General, Ms Anita Nayyar welcomed the guests.  She spoke about choosing career over her marriage, she was aided by her father much to her mother’s sorrow. Her mother feels sorry even today as Ms Nayyar chose not to marry.

The event also served as a fitting occasion to offer our best wishes to Ms Nayyar, who has completed her term at the Consulate.

The Chief Guest speaker  for this event were Andrea Coote MP, Parliamentary Secretary for the Department of families and Community Affiars. She spoke about the insidious nature of the Family Violence and the urgency for us all to act. She appreciated that the “AISV TASKFORCE AGAINST DOMESTIC VIOLENCE” had created a grass movement by networking and creating a multi-ethnic Taskforce.
North Melbourne Football Club CEO, Mr Eugene Arocca , is a White Ribbon Ambassador .He spoke eloquently the need for Football heroes to  watch their behaviour towards women. He said the club was against any careless, disrespectful, emotionally, sexually  or physically abusive  behaviour towards women.
Magistrate  Ms Noreen Toohey from Sunshine Magistrate’s Court spoke of the need for culturally and linguistically divers communities to be aware that Family Violence which consists of Physical, sexual, emotional abuse , financial and spiritual control is against the Australian Law. She said the communities need to take charge of this issue within their cultures, but like everyone else they must live within the Australian Law.   
Councillor Tim Laurance Singh spoke as the male representative of the Indian community. He mentioned the difficulties faced by international students in the area of family violence including sexual abuse and emotional abuse were a cause of concern .

The cultural highlight of the event was the Bollywood Dance items presented by Ms Ayesha Tiwari ‘s group.
Uma Huma   the one and only Indian female comedienne brought laughter to the crowd with her Indian Australian humour.

The proceedings of a very successful evening were formally closed with a vote of thanks by  The Chair of AISV TASKFORCE, Dr Manjula O’Connor
All the Supportive Organisations , the distinguished audiences including MP Ms Bronwyn Pike and  Ms Debbie Gross- the visiting DV expert from  Israel , invited by the ‘Jewish Taskforce against FV ‘ and the distinguished speakers were formally thanked.
Refreshments and drinks were once again served by Indya Bistro  catering services.

After the formal part of the evening was over, some guests stayed on for informal chats with the invited guests and for more drink and samosas. This was when people relaxed and some stimulating conversation took place !