The State Government is providing a $90,000 funding boost for community initiatives that support and empower women.
Across Western Australia, 12 organisations will receive funding under the Grants for Women program.
Grants for Women supports community initiatives that will assist women during the COVID-19 pandemic and address priority areas of women's economic independence, safety and justice to align with the State Government's Stronger Together: WA's Plan for Gender Equality.
Initiatives funded under the program will contribute to women and girls reaching their full potential in all aspects of life at school, in the workplace, in retirement and in their homes and communities.
Grants of up to $5,000 were available for one-off initiatives with a duration of up to six months and grants of up to $10,000 were available for six to twelve months initiatives with a strategic focus and involve a range of partners.
Successful initiatives include:
- a series of workshops in Carnarvon and the wider Gascoyne region for women who own a business, are looking to start a business or would like to return to the workforce;
- a pilot program for female apprentices that looks at career sustainability, long-term financial independence and gender equality;
- an 'African Women's Life Skills Project', which will run workshops to ensure that participants can live safely and have access to legal protection;
- a 'Ready to Work' project for disadvantaged migrant women, providing mentoring, education and training about employment and career pathways;
- a 'Money Matters for Migrant Women' program to improve financial literacy among culturally and linguistically diverse women through practical tools and knowledge; and
- a series of 'micro-enterprise' workshops in Warmun to bring community members together to learn and develop skills in business.
As stated by Women's Interests Minister Simone McGurk:
"The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted existing gender inequalities and placed women at greater risk of long-term vulnerability and hardship.
"These State Government grants will help fund community initiatives that support and empower women - whether it's through retraining, upskilling, mentoring or improving financial literacy or business skills.
"Grants for Women has a particular focus on projects that help women gain economic independence and improve their safety, and it's encouraging to see initiatives that assist women from all over the State and all walks of life.
"A strong community is one where all members of the community can succeed, and the State Government is committed to helping women and girls reach their full potential."
Grants for Women - successful applicants
| Organisation | Initiative | Region |
| South West Women's Health and Information Centre | 'Dragonfly Coffee' Outreach Service | South-West |
| Women in Technology WA (WiTWA) | STEMpower - Reconnecting Women to Their Worth, Their Value and the Workplace | North-East Metropolitan |
| Enterprise Partnerships WA | Kalumburu Entrepreneurial Ecosystem and Partnership Project | Kimberley |
| Shire of Carnarvon | Gascoyne Women Level-UP Program | Gascoyne |
| Financial Counsellors' Association of WA | Propel | Various |
| The Multicultural Communities Council of WA | MOVE ON - Ready to Work Project | South-East Metropolitan |
| City of Belmont | Money Matters for Migrant Women | South-East Metropolitan |
| Women's Legal Service WA | Poster Project | Various |
| Ishar Multicultural Women's Health Centre | Sewing Seeds | Metropolitan |
| Local Drug Action Groups | Women of Warmun - Taking Action Creating Change | Kimberley |
| Ruah Community Services | Moorditj Weirn (Strong Spirit) Wreaths | North-East Metropolitan |
| Silver Lining Fashion Fund | African Women's Life Skills Project | Metropolitan |
