Women and girls across NSW will benefit from a range of community, education, and mentoring opportunities during 2022 NSW Women’s Week thanks to a $100,000 grants program from the NSW Nationals in the state government.
Nationals Minister for Women Bronnie Taylor has encouraged local councils and not-for-profits to apply for a share of the funding to host events between March 7-13, 2022.
“NSW Women’s Week is a special opportunity to celebrate women from all walks of life including women living in our regional and rural communities, Aboriginal women and women from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds,” Mrs Taylor said.
“We are looking for events that not only bring women and girls together in a COVID-safe setting but also provide practical support to help women across the region.”
Events should support at least one of the key priorities of the NSW Women’s Strategy 2018-22: improving women’s financial wellbeing and security, encouraging a holistic approach to health and wellbeing, or helping women to build confidence and celebrate their achievements.
Successful events funded through the 2021 grants program included an evening of women’s live storytelling at the Bega Valley Shire Library, a leadership workshop run by the Wagga Aboriginal Women’s Group, and a mental health and resilience event hosted by the Atholwood Country Women’s Association.
Atholwood CWA President Vicki Croft said it has been great to see awareness of women’s mental health grow in regional and rural areas during the pandemic.
“Drought, COVID-19, and travel restrictions have presented significant challenges for the bush, particularly border communities,” Mrs Croft said.
“Providing women opportunities to talk about the issues facing them is really important as it breaks that sense of isolation. Community workshops and other events not only allow us to support and connect with each other, they provide a platform for us to find solutions to these problems together.”
Apply at https://womennsw.smartygrants.com.au/WWG22 before November 15, 2021.
