Women who aspire to shape the Northern Territory’s political sphere are being encouraged to apply for Charles Darwin University’s (CDU) Pathways to Politics Program for women, a free leadership program that aims to increase women’s representation in all levels of government.
The Pathways to Politics Program for Women is a national, proudly non-partisan initiative that aims to change the face of politics by equipping women with the skills, knowledge, confidence and networks they need to run for elected office and thrive as political leaders.
The program, run by CDU’s Northern Institute through the generous support of the Trawalla Foundation, is in its second year. Last year’s inaugural program saw 11 Northern Territory women, including three First Nations women, graduate from the program.
Rosanna De Santis, 52, is a woman with blended Aboriginal (Tiwi Islands) and Italian heritage, born in Garramilla (Darwin) on Larrakia land, and has spent over 23 years working in the NT police service and nine years in local government at the Tiwi Islands Regional Council.
With ambitions to eventually contest Northern Territory elections, Ms De Santis attended the 2022 Pathway to Politics Program for Women and says it was instrumental in providing her with the confidence to enter politics.
