Seven local projects are set to receive a share of $2.6 million in funding provided by a NSW government grant program aimed at advancing women’s economic opportunity, health and wellbeing.
The projects selected by the NSW government for the Investing in Women 2023-24 program were announced on Tuesday.
The organisations have received grants for multi-year projects, with a focus on women in regional and rural NSW and Western and South Western Sydney. The projects also target women from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, First Nations women, and women with disabilities.
The Investing in Women program has been designed with a focus on the three priority areas of the NSW Women’s Strategy: economic opportunity, health and wellbeing and participation.
“The Investing in Women Funding Program has supported more than 100 organisations since its inception to improve the lives of women and girls, and deliver on the NSW Women’s Strategy 2023-2026,” NSW Minister for Women, Jodie Harrison said on Tuesday.
“This program will enable women to not only take tangible steps towards achieving their personal aspirations but also pave a permanent pathway for future generations of women.
“The NSW Government is pleased to be partnering with these seven organisations which are best placed to address targeted communities where improvement is needed to uplift and preserve women’s presence and participation in society.”
Her Future Foundation will receive $550,000 in funding to deliver a 12-week group program to help tackle major health concerns among women in Kempsey.
CEO of Real Futures (partner of Her Futures Foundation), Christianna Cartwright said the Her Futures Wellbeing’ project has the potential to make the entire community stronger as they see Aboriginal women become confident, healthy leaders in their respective families and communities.
“These women will become strong role models for their children and set a benchmark for adolescent Aboriginal girls in our community,” Cartwright said.
“Aboriginal women will be provided an opportunity to work on themselves in all aspects of their lives in a safe, supported environment, and build strength in knowing they are not alone with their day-today life and health challenges. Women will have the opportunity to grow stronger, fitter and healthier, learning better eating and exercise habits and being connected to culture.”
The grant recipients are:
Contact – The ‘Empowering Far Western NSW Women: Building a Brighter Future Together’ project will allow women and girls who are isolated in remote or rural NSW, to feel a greater sense of connection through a series of co-designed in-person and virtual workshops, training sessions, community renewal days and practical supports.
Dress for Success Sydney – With the development of the Western Sydney Aerotropolis driving increased demand for employees, the new Dress for Success (DFS) hub will be a place for local women to attend in person to access DFS services. DFS will support local women and girls with finding new work opportunities and training in softer skills.
Generation Australia – Women from western and south-western Sydney from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds will be provided a pathway into care work through holistic pre-employment programs. Mentorship and employment support will help participants to upskill, build confidence, and improve career outcomes.
Girls on Fire – ‘The Fire UP – Girls Fire and Resilience’ project is an experiential learning program for teenage girls in regional and remote areas providing qualifications, confidence, and clear pathways to join the emergency services sector.
Her Futures Foundation – The ‘Her Futures Wellbeing’ project is designed to reduce the major health concerns among Aboriginal women in Kempsey through a tailored health and wellbeing group program.
NSW Council for Intellectual Disability – The ‘My Relationships Matter’ project focuses on enhancing the health literacy of women and girls with intellectual disability and empowering them to make informed decisions, leading to changes in health, relationships, and communities.
Western Sydney University – The ‘WARDA-NSW: Women’s Awareness in Reproductive “Aafiya”’ project is a co-designed, peer-mentored, empowering reproductive health promotion program for Muslim women to generate a community wide conversation on reproductive health.
Image: NSW Minister for Women, Jodie Harrison.