Today's COAG meeting was the first time our political leaders recognised collectively that violence against women and children is a national emergency.

Importantly, premiers, chief ministers, the Prime Minister and local government acknowledged that preventing and eliminating violence against women and children requires a change in our "culture and habits".

Natasha Stott Despoja✓ is the chairwoman of Our Watch. Credit:Andrew Meares

We must address the norms and behaviours that support rigid gender roles and gender stereotyping. It was good to hear Tony Abbott recognise this in his comments.

"Fathers have got to say to sons that it's just not on to raise your hand against a woman," said Abbott. "Mates have got to say to mates that it's just not on to raise your hand against a woman, or to tell that appalling sexist joke."