More than 100 people that include support workers and members of women’s groups gathered on the lawns of the Parliament House on Friday to remember the victims of domestic violence. The rally was organised to maintain pressure on the federal government to take more steps to eradicate such social evils.

The names of 78 victims of domestic violence were written on Christmas cards that were strung up on the Parliament House lawns and read out loud. They were also remembered with a moment of silence. Most of these victims faced a violent death at the hands of their current or former partner.

Frances Crimmins​, the executive director of women’s organisation YWCA, said that 2015 has seen notable progress in the conversation on domestic violence on a national level, with a number of funding announcements from state and territory governments and from a Senate enquiry.

But she still believed that it is not enough. She said that Australia has not been able to effectively address the problem of domestic violence and the first step to eradicating it is to acknowledge gender inequality.

"We need long-term, adequately resourced primary prevention, backed up by appropriately funded crisis and support services and effective law enforcement," the Sydney Morning Herald quoted her as saying.

The cards bore the names of ACT women who have been allegedly killed as a result of domestic violence in 2015. These names included Tara Costigan, 28, Sabah al-Mdwali, 28, and Daniela D'Addario, 35.

A rally against domestic violence held in October in Brisbane did not have an impressive crowd turnout as this. The rally was organised by Local Government Association Queensland.

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