Our Watch: Change the story and key frameworks

Change the Story is an evidence-based national framework developed by Our Watch to guide the primary prevention of violence against women in Australia. It examines social, economic and cultural drivers of gender inequality and outlines coordinated actions across institutions and communities to address these underlying causes.

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OVERVIEW

Change the Story is an evidence-based national framework that guides the primary prevention of violence against women in Australia. It outlines the social, economic and cultural drivers of gender inequality and provides a coordinated approach for action. Finance professionals may find it relevant for understanding social risk, workforce impacts and governance considerations within ESG frameworks.

Organisation behind the resource

The resource is developed and maintained by Our Watch, an independent Australian not-for-profit organisation focused on preventing violence against women and their children.

The framework was produced in partnership with Australia’s National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety (ANROWS) and VicHealth, drawing on national and international research and policy expertise.

What the resource does

Provides a national, evidence-based framework for preventing violence against women.
Identifies key social, cultural, political and economic drivers of gender inequality linked to violence.
Outlines coordinated actions across institutions such as workplaces, governments, schools and communities.
Offers downloadable reports, summaries and supporting materials for implementation.
Forms part of a broader suite of resources, including guidance on workforce development, measurement and targeted population groups.

Target audience

The primary audience includes policymakers, government agencies, community organisations and practitioners involved in prevention initiatives.

Secondary audiences include researchers, educators, employers and organisations seeking to address gender inequality and workplace culture.

Relevance to finance professionals

Risk assessment – Highlights social and workplace risks linked to gender inequality, including reputational, operational and regulatory exposure.
ESG analysis – Provides a structured framework for assessing social factors such as gender equality, workplace safety and inclusion.
Investment context – Supports evaluation of long-term societal risks that can affect labour markets, productivity and economic stability.
Governance and strategy – Informs policies on diversity, equity and inclusion, aligning with responsible investment and stewardship expectations.

The framework enables finance professionals to incorporate social risk considerations into analysis, particularly within ESG and sustainable finance contexts.