Vulnerable women and children escaping from domestic violence in the Northern Territory are being supported by staff at Charles Darwin University (CDU).
CDU staff generously donated essential items and cash for the Women’s Remote Community Safe Houses at an inaugural International Women’s Day fundraiser in March.
A fund-raising event to celebrate International Women’s Day and support Remote Womens’ safe Houses was held at CDU earlier this year. Items donated included sanitary and hygiene products, children’s toys, books, clothing and other essential products for women and their children.
The goods are being distributed with the support of the Department of Territory Families, Housing and Communities (TFHC).
TFHC has recently delivered CDU’s donations to Women’s Remote Community Safe Houses in Yuendumu and Alice Springs.
The event raised a total of $7,000 in cash, funded by CDU staff and law firm MinterEllison. The cash donations will go towards purchasing essential items for some of the houses.
CDU University Secretary Professor Hilary Winchester AM organised the university-wide fundraiser in March to support women suffering from disadvantage, particularly those living in remote Territory communities.
“We organised the fundraiser and donations for International Women’s Day because we want to show our support and care for women in Remote Community Safe Houses,” Professor Winchester said.
TFHC Deputy Chief Executive Officer for Families and Regional Services, Jeanette Kerr, said the Department welcomed CDU’s initiative to provide essential items for women in remote areas.
“TFHC facilitates the delivery of donations to remote houses and the ongoing, long-lasting relationship with CDU,” Ms Kerr said.
“The donations are essential for women in remote communities as the cost for these items is very high there and women and children who live in poverty are less likely to spend on sanitary and hgygiene items for themselves.”
“This initiative is another positive step forward to benefit women in remote communities.”
More packs of donations will be delivered to communities such as Wadeye, Gunbalanya, Maningrida, Elliot, Tennant Creek and the Tiwi Islands in the coming weeks.
