Be part of the change to end gender-based violence.
Disrespect, gender inequality and gender-based violence are driven by complex social and educational conditions.
At RMIT, we are committed to understanding and challenging these conditions. We aim to embed gender equity in all that we do and ultimately, be part of the solution to end violence.
To do this, we’re putting in place innovative projects that cut across the whole University. These include the Gender Equity and Justice – Community, Teaching and Learning project, informed by the Our Watch Educating for Equality resource (2021).
Social change requires humans to step forward and we need change agents and allies like you from the RMIT community to help!
Keep an eye on the Student events and activities page to find out what we are up to and how to join in.
Want to know more or have questions? Contact us on Gender.Justice@rmit.edu.au.
The Gender Equity and Justice project had the honour of sitting in circle and chatting with two men who are down with being vulnerable and exploring all things respectful relationships, challenging outdated ideas and behaviours, and thinking about what leadership can look like if you take away gender expectations.
Matt Brown is a New Zealand-born Samoan and an author, communicator, internationally acclaimed barber and hair artist. He co-founded the She is not your rehab movement and brand with his wife Sarah Brown in 2019.
Nasir Sobhani, known as The Streets Barber, was born and raised in Japan, of Iranian heritage. He is a Canadian citizen and a member of the Baha'i Faith. His inspirational work focuses on how it is possible to face addiction, find sobriety and create your true-life purpose by being of service to others.
Over two years (to December 2023), the Gender Equity and Justice project will use innovative approaches to respond to and prevent inequality and gender-based violence across our VE and HE communities.
Central to this is the innovative Working Together With Men (WTWM) model.
It is a promising practice approach that engages men in forms of allyship to co-create small scale projects with those most impacted by gender-based violence. The model has been applied successfully and evaluated since 2016.
Shelley Hewson-Munro, Manager - Prevention, Masculinities and Learning, is one of the original designers of the WTWM model and author of its key resource.
Shelley is a masculinities practitioner, social worker and research investigator in the working with men space.
She has been implementing and supervising several of the model's iterations since 2018 and is a leader in creating unique, feminist-informed projects that both challenge and action men for change.
The barbershop has long been a place where men have gathered and talked, but a new wave of barbers are transforming the way men can have conversations.
To coincide with RMIT’s annual Pride Week, the new Gender Equity & Justice Project will be hosting a pop-up barbershop in collaboration with Little Rebel Barbershop.
To learn more about the project, email Gender.Justice@rmit.edu.au
Acknowledgement of Country
RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Luwaytini' by Mark Cleaver, Palawa.
Acknowledgement of Country
RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business.