The Andrews Labor Government is helping women from diverse backgrounds reach their leadership goals and overcome barriers to economic security.
Minister for Women Natalie Hutchins has announced more than $1 million for initiatives aimed at helping women find work and for programs to enhance leadership opportunities.
For women locked out of the labour market, initiatives including education, mentoring, training, small business and employment opportunities are crucial inroads to employment and financial security.
The women’s security initiatives will contribute:
- $300,000 to the Brotherhood of St Laurence for its Stepping Stones to Small Business initiative
- $150,000 to Fitted for Work, for its Women’s Work Futures Program
- $150,000 to Ngarrimili for its Empowering First Nations Women in Business initiative
- $50,000 to SisterWorks for its Social Enterprise Employment Expansion Program.
These leadership programs will help First Nations women, women of colour and women from multicultural communities to identify and navigate barriers to advancement, including discrimination and poor workplace culture. They will also support women to use their skills and connections to progress their leadership journey.
New leadership program funding includes:
- $155,000 to Karen Milward Consulting for the Elevating Connections, Healing Ourselves (ECHO) First Nations Women’s Leadership Program
- $120,000 to Leadership Victoria for a fourth round of the Joan Kirner Emerging Leaders Program
- $70,000 to Women of Colour Australia to deliver a leadership program to emerging women of colour leaders in the Victorian Public Sector
- $20,000 to Winitha Bonney OAM to deliver an Executive Sponsor Inclusive Leadership Mentoring Program.
The investment supports recommendations made by the Inquiry into Economic Equity for Victorian Women and will help drive the large-scale cultural change needed to tackle the systemic barriers that hinder women’s economic security and leadership advancement.
As stated by Minister for Women Natalie Hutchins
“This investment forms part of our nation-leading work towards a fairer future for women and girls regardless of their background.”
“We’re determined to empower women with the critical skills, networks and experience needed to advance their leadership aspirations, to start and run their own businesses, navigate employment pathways and build skills and financial security.”
