We see partnerships as essential to bringing about effective and sustainable outcomes for communities in Melbourne’s west. We work in partnership with organisations in our sector, as well as beyond it.
GenWest is the lead agency for two strategic regional partnerships: Preventing Violence Together and the Action for Equity sexual and reproductive health partnership.
Both partnerships have been state-wide leaders in the development of coordinated, collaborative and effective strategic plans for this work.
-
GenWest is the lead agency for the prevention of family violence in Melbourne’s west.
We coordinate Preventing Violence Together (PVT) regional partnership, which made up of 26 key organisations in Melbourne’s west.
The PVT Strategy
The partnership works to implement actions within ‘Preventing Violence Together 2030: Western Region Strategy to Prevent Violence Against Women’ (PVT 2030). The strategy ensures an effective and integrated approach to this work.
Download the Preventing Violence Together: 2030 regional strategy:
The strategy sets out a strategic, coordinated, action-based approach to the prevention of family violence across the west, tailored to the particular needs and characteristics of Melbourne’s west.
The strategy was developed following consultation with partners, service providers and communities of interest, to ensure it is relevant and tailored to the unique needs and context of Melbourne’s western region.
It is accompanied by a Background Paper:
About the partnership
The Partnership was launched in 2010, and was the first regional strategy of its kind in Victoria. Many other regions have since adopted a similar partnership approach to prevention.
The Partnership recognises that good cross-sector working and long-term funding are integral to establishing primary prevention efforts that are effective and comprehensive.
Download the partnership agreement:
The partnership is composed of 26 organisations, including:
Implementing partners
- Brimbank City Council
- Cohealth
- Djerriwarrh Health Services
- GenWest (formerly Women’s Health West)
- HealthWest Primary Care Partnership
- Hobsons Bay City Council
- Inner North West Primary Care Partnership
- IPC Health
- Maribyrnong City Council
- Melbourne City Council
- Melton City Council
- MiCare
- Moonee Valley City Council
- Victoria University
- Western Bulldogs Community Foundation
- Wyndham City Council
Associate partners
- Department of Education (Brimbank Melton)
- Department of Education (South Western Melbourne)
- Department of Health and Human Services (West Division)
- Department of Justice (West Metropolitan Regional Office)
- Greater Western Water (formerly City West Water)
- IndianCare
- Victoria Police
- Western Region Centre Against Sexual Assault (WestCASA)
- Western Integrated Family Violence Committee (WIFVC)
- West Metro Elder Abuse Prevention Network (Merri Health)
Gender Equity and violence prevention training for organisations
GenWest offers workforce development and training sessions to organisations in Melbourne’s western metropolitan region.
The training aims to equip workplaces with the tools and knowledge to achieve gender equity in the workplace.
Gender equitable workplaces benefit from improved productivity and economic growth, increased organisational performance, and enhanced ability to attract and retain employees.
Workplaces are an important setting in which to foster a culture that rejects violence supportive attitudes and practices and promotes active bystander action.
Read more about the training we offer and find out how to book for your organisation.
-
GenWest lead the Action for Equity sexual and reproductive health partnership.
This partnership plans and implements collaborative, region-wide programs to improve the sexual and reproductive health of communities in the west.
About the partnership and strategy
The work of the partnership is guided by a strategy, Action for Equity: a sexual and reproductive health strategy for Melbourne’s west 2018-2022.
Download the strategy below:
Action for Equity’s vision is a community where everyone has the:
- Freedom to express their gender, sex, sexuality and individuality
- The right to healthy, respectful relationships and a pleasurable sex life
- The right to control decision making, to support active and informed decisions about their sexual and reproductive health free from violence (including reproductive coercion), stigma and discrimination
- Equitable access to health services and programs that are inclusive and culturally sensitive and appropriate
The plan is supported by a collaborative partnership of 22 organisations, including:
- Banyule Community Health
- Brimbank City Council
- Centre for Culture, Ethnicity and Health
- Cohealth
- City of Darebin
- Department Education and Training (Victoria)
- Himilo Community Connect
- Hobsons Bay City Council
- IPC Health
- LiverWELL, incorporating Hepatitis Victoria
- Maribyrnong City Council
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre
- Melton City Council
- Moonee Valley City Council
- North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network
- Royal Women’s Hospital
- Thorne Harbour Health
- Victoria University
- Western English Language School
- Western Health/Joan Kirner Women’s and Children’s Hospital
- Women’s Health in the North
- Wyndham City Council
The Action for Equity partnership delivers a range of programs for and with communities in the west. These are summarised below, for more information on these, and details on how to get involved, see our Health and Wellbeing Programs section.
Our sexual and reproductive health programs cover:
- Working to prevent Female Genital Cutting and improve clinical responses through the FARREP program
- Supporting diverse young people to access services through the pandemic with the Take Up Space program
- Delivering health education to diverse communities through the WOMHen program
- Delivering professional development for healthcare workers on the provision of Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTOP).
