Laura Burge

Challenge complete!

Wednesday 11th Dec The 16 Days of Activism officially concluded yesterday, aligned with our return to Australia. We spent the last few days exploring the streets of Bangkok, racking up a total of 150km! This is three times what I’d hoped to achieve, with total donations also exceeding my target. Thank you to all those who have donated to this cause and provided support along the way. Share

Samui Beach Walks

Monday 2nd Dec We’ve traded the jungle for the beach these past few days, enjoying daytime beach and night time street walks in Samui. The result? Hitting 60km by day 7 so I’ve increased my target to 100km! Share

Walking in Thailand

Thursday 28th Nov Monday 25th marked the start of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, a global campaign to raise awareness about violence against women and its impact on their wellbeing. It was also the beginning of my journey with UN Women Australia's Safe. Everywhere. Always. challenge, where I’ve committed to walking 60km over these 16 days. Ordinarily, 60km wouldn’t be too daunting - I recently convinced my extended family to join me for the 50km Surf Coast Trek—but this time, the challenge coincides with a beachside holiday in Thailand. Even so, I’ve traded runners for thongs and kicked off earlier in the week with a steamy morning walk in a balmy 26°C at 9 a.m. More importantly, this challenge serves as a powerful reminder: every woman deserves to feel safe, whether at home, work, school, the gym, on a run, a night out, or even on holiday. Share

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

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