Award-winning psychiatrist and family violence prevention advocate, Professor Manjula Datta O’Connor, has been awarded the prestigious Premier’s Award for Victorian Senior of the Year for her tireless work in raising awareness about dowry abuse and family violence in Victoria.
Premier, Jacinta Allan and Minister for Ageing, Ingrid Stitt recognised the dedication to community service and leadership of Professor O’Connor and 14 other recipients at Government House.
“Victoria’s seniors are invaluable to our state – and today we recognise the extraordinary efforts of older Victorians who inspire all of us to strive for more,” said Premier Allan.
“I congratulate all award recipients and nominees, for going above and beyond to create positive change in their communities,” said Minister Stitt.
With more than 25 years of experience as a psychiatrist, Professor O’Connor co-founded the AustralAsian Centre for Human Rights and Health, spearheading research projects and community initiatives that have broken the silence on dowry abuse in Australia.
She is the author of the bestselling book Daughters of Durga, which exposes the patriarchal structures and dowry abuse faced by women in Victoria’s South Asian community.
Her advocacy was instrumental in the successful petition to have dowry abuse recognized in the Family Violence Protection Act 2012, leading to law changes in Victoria and triggering a Senate Hearing into dowry abuse in 2017.
To read the profiles of each of the 2024 Victorian Senior of the year Awards recipients visit seniorsonline.vic.gov.au/awards.
