Written by Anushka Vineet
Gender-based violence is an epidemic.
2 in 5 Women have experienced violence since the age of 15.
1 in 2 Women have experienced sexual harassment in their lifetime.
1 in 4 Men aged 18-45 have disclosed using physical and/or sexual violence against an intimate partner.
Violence against women is a widespread problem in Australia. It is not specific to one community or culture.
We all would know at least one person, more likely multiple, affected by gender-based violence (GBV).
Femicide/feminicide is running rampant within the Australian community. UN Women Australia describes it as the “most brutal and extreme manifestation of violence against women and girls”. It is defined as “intentional killing with a gender-related motivation” and “is driven by discrimination against women and girls, unequal power relations, gender stereotypes or harmful social norms”.
Every 10 minutes, one woman loses her life at the hands of partners and family members worldwide.
GBV must stop. It is not a contested notion; it is a matter of fact.
The Vote4Her Movement began last year, focused on bringing awareness to the issue before the 2025 federal election. The mission of the movement is to bring the epidemic of GBV to the centre of discussion regarding voting.
It began with Mivy Caddey, a now second-year Fenner student, who personally felt the ramifications of GBV within her own community.
Observer had the opportunity to speak with Mivy near the first anniversary of the movement.
Mivy hailed ANUSA’s Women’s Department for “helping the movement gain traction”. She highlighted the work of 2025 ANUSA Women’s Officer, Jade Poulton, for helping organise last year’s protest in Kambri.
When discussing the ramifications of the Vote4Her movement, Mivy expressed that the movement helped “open conversations about [GBV]… especially with men”. Acknowledging the cultural issues that surround starting such conversations, she conceded that it can be difficult and jarring for some men. Having “constructive conversations free of judgment” was paramount in bringing awareness to the issue.
“Even if it is jarring, it is something that needs to be talked about”.
Mivy expressed that she has witnessed meaningful change within her own college community. She saw a “lot of change” and found that “the male population really showed up at the rally”. She highlighted that the male population was the target audience, and seeing them “actively listen and engage” with the movement’s mission was the breakthrough moment.
Mivy expressed that hearing organic conversations regarding the movement, while in communal spaces, showed that the movement was a success.
“It might not have reached thousands of people [but] the people that it did reach are having the conversations [I] wanted them to have.”
Mivy remarked that the support she received at the ANU helped to fuel the Vote4Her Movement. She highlighted the “support networks at ANU and my own personal friends” that helped her run the movement. Though it may not be a university-specific issue, she highlighted that she has “seen misogyny in university and wants to help perpetuate change”.
For Mivy, student advocates are a necessity, as she highlights that students are “the next generation of leaders in a variety of different workforces”. It is necessary to talk about such issues as students will be “implementing policies to help implement change in their workplaces”. Regardless of “different political opinions…coming from a place of listening and respect is important”.
Mivy encourages anyone who has something they are passionate about to “channel that in the right direction”. For any future advocate, she highlights the importance of “surrounding yourself with like-minded passionate people” and reminds them it is okay “to ask for help”. She notes that successfully running a movement requires you to be “task-oriented and to be able to compartmentalise”.
It is necessary to “be able to have the difficult conversations” and be direct with what you would like to achieve.
The Vote4Her movement was imperative in fueling the difficult conversations around GBV. Though the federal election has passed, it is important to remember that when voting, “you are reflecting their morals and values”, and the decisions that you make have lasting ramifications.
Observer thanks Mivy for her time. If you would like to learn more, you can visit the Vote4Her Movement Instagram page here.
Graphics by Harry Dennis
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