Rotary SAFE Families Goes Global

Rotary SAFE Families, created by Dorothy Gilmour, President of Rotary, has become a global peace project, providing its resources to Rotary Clubs around the world in its endeavours to prevent family violence.

Since its creation in 2018, Rotary SAFE Families has developed into a national initiative. In 2022, with the assistance of a multi-cultural leadership team of Rotarians and non-Rotarians, many partnerships were formed with African, Indian, Persian Australians via our workshops, presentations and printed resources.

 

In an exciting update, in December 2024. Dorothy was invited by Rotary International to be a Guest Speaker at a global online Rotary Mega-Meeting.  Her topic: “Changing the Global Story of Violence to Women and Girls” created much interest from the many countries world-wide represented at this amazing Mega Meeting. The Founder, Host and Convenor of these Mega-Meetings, and global peace ambassador, Ozuem Esiri is now living in Melbourne and was determined that Rotary SAFE Families would become a global initiative. He invited Rotary International Vice President Pat Merryweather-Arges and the Chair of the Rotary International Action Group for Peace to talk with Dorothy and they both felt privileged to be invited to be Patrons of this important program which aims to promote the prevention of family violence around the world.

 

Pat Merryweather-Arges wrote: Unfortunately, the US still has very high numbers of women and children that are not safe and seek shelter … and domestic violence is still a major issue in the U.S.  While women can talk about it, they still need support to recover from their situation.  I also worry about women and children where they do not have a voice and are not able to speak up for fear of punishment. Yes, I am all in on Rotary SAFE Families Inclusive Communities! Thank you for reaching out and thinking of me!

 

As another Patron, Grace Van Zyl wrote: I truly believe that we need to support SAFE Families in our countries, communities, and our homes.   This is an important issue with still too many casualties and suffering..... and I am committed to joining you in this important initiative.  The 3Rs sums it up so well! I am humbled at your request to become a patron for Rotary SAFE Families and am excited to accept.  In South Africa Gender Based Violence (GBV0, abandoned children and child-headed households are a huge problem.  In fact, GBV is seen as the leading pandemic in our country.  By being a patron of Rotary SAFE Families I hope to bring best practices to the organisation as well as to my country.

• We will assist Rotary clubs, districts and multi-districts from around the world in providing our resources, workshops, Mega-Meetings whilst building awareness of the vital importance of peace.
• We will create dialogues and discussions to break the silence on violence. Our focus on peace building and prevention of any form of abuse to anyone, anywhere, anytime offers Rotary and communities, the opportunity to provide long-term benefits for people all over the world.