My Activity Tracking
0
kms
My target 60 kms
This is for women and girls everywhere....
Hi family and friends, from November 25th, I’m going to be walking for a cause that is close to my heart.
Every woman and girl around the world, deserves to feel Safe. Everywhere. Always. – at home, at the gym, even online - and that is why I’m joining UN Women Australia in the walk to end violence against women and girls.
Together we can help to build a better future for women and girls around the world.
My Updates
Why I'm Walking
Wednesday 16th Oct
Several months ago, I expressed my frustration, anger, helplessness, and deep sadness about the ongoing violence against women in Australia, often at the hands of their loved ones.
At that time, it had been 11 years since Jill Meagher’s murder in Melbourne, and the disappearance of Samantha Murphy, during her daily run in Ballarat, dominated the headlines. Her murder hit particularly close to home for me.
More than a decade ago, during one of my regular
evening runs, I found myself in a frightening situation. It was nearing dusk
when I noticed a car trailing me at a slow pace.
Panic set in as I realized I was being followed.
In that moment, I faced a harrowing decision:
Should I sprint home, hoping to reach safety, or seek refuge at a stranger’s
door? Instinct took over, and I veered off the main path, darting behind a
nearby fence. Hidden from view, I held my breath, praying the car would lose
interest and move on.
Minutes felt like hours.
The car stopped, then slowly drove past my hiding
spot, only to circle back again. Eventually, it left, and the sound of the
engine faded into an eerie silence.
The memory of that moment has remained etched in my mind ever since.
Now nearing the end of another year, 66 Australian
women have been lost to violence and 13 children have also been killed
(Australian Femicide Watch).
My personal experience, and my hope for a safer future, fuel my passion for promoting respect, inclusion, and gender equity, and preventing sexual harm, particularly in higher education.
From 25 November – 10 December, my family and I
will be supporting the 16 Days of Activism, and in particular, the campaign by
UN Women Australia.
Whilst I’ll be away overseas on what’s meant to be a relaxing beach-side family holiday, I’ve set a target of walking/running 60km + to support this cause during this period. It’s by no means a lengthy distance but it’s a small and hopefully not insignificant way I can raise awareness of the fact that every woman deserves to be safe. Everywhere. Always.
- At home
- At work
- At school
- Online
- On a run
- At the gym
- On a date
- On a night out
- At a festival
- After dark
Should you wish to support this cause, please
donate at https://www.safeeverywherealways.org/fundraisers/lauraburge/safeeverywherealways
