.
The march comes following a series of rallies held around Australia including Canberra and Melbourne, remembering women who died due to gender-based violence.
Member for Gosford, Liesl Tesch MP, says that the hundreds of Coasties who turned out today highlights that enough is enough.
“I am overjoyed at the turnout of today’s event as a sign of solidarity on the Central Coast community to stamp out gender-based violence on the Central Coast and beyond," she said.
“Seeing all ages, all genders, and all walks of life come together to say enough is enough is just the start.
“The rates of family, domestic and sexual violence are simply unacceptable. On Sunday the Central Coast community united to take action.”
It comes following the NSW Government’s calling of a special Cabinet meeting on Friday to hear from and draw on the experience of respected advocates for the prevention of domestic and family violence.
The NSW Cabinet, with half of all Ministers women for the first time in NSW history, reaffirmed its commitment to taking urgent action, as well as looking at long term reform to prevent domestic and family violence across New South Wales.
The Minns Government has reaffirmed its commitment to considering all options, with all options on the table.
Already on the Central Coast, Women’s Health Centres in Wyoming, Woy Woy and Wyong have received a $3.48M funding boost over four years, however Ms Tesch has stated that the work has only just begun.
"We understand there are still gaps in the system. The NSW Government are also looking at reforms to the justice system to better protect victims. Nothing is off the table.
“We understand a crisis response is not enough. That’s why the NSW Government will continue to look at medium and long-term solutions.”
Central Coast Young Citizen of the Year, and speaker at the Central Coast Walk for Women, Anannya Bandaru, gave a speech entitled “Dare to Say No” and describes what the walk meant for her.
“It is time to take a stand. I am ashamed of this women's assault epidemic we are living in.
“Even today I am unable to walk from here to my house by myself without hearing remarks of harassment. I am unable to take a train to my tutoring center without a man sitting next to me and asking for my number. We accept this state of constant fear as a norm.
“We need to cross the horizon and dare to say no.
Sunday’s speaker lineup included Ms Tesch, Central Coast Domestic Violence Committee vice chair Sharon Walsh; Wiradjuri woman Sue McCarthy, Renee Simpson, author of ‘I Want to Go Home - Reclaiming Power After Sexual Assault’ and facilitator of peer-led support group, The Survivor Hub MeetUp in Gosford; Bec Owen, a feisty survivor and Federal Member for Robertson, Dr Gordon Reid.
