Minister for Housing and Minister for the Status of Women

Media Release

Government announces $2.1 million in grants to boost women's leadership and advocacy

16/06/2008

The Australian Government is committed to developing and supporting women's leadership in every aspect of Australian society.

Twenty-two national women's non-government organisations will share in $2.1 million in grant funding as part of this year's Women's Leadership and Development Programme (WLDP).

The grant recipients, announced at the National Women's Secretariats Meeting at Broken Hill today, will each receive up to $100,000.

Proposals were selected on their ability to:


The Government is building a stronger and more dynamic program of engagement with women's representative organisations to ensure women's perspectives and needs influence the development of policies and programs in all areas of government, business and the community sector.

Today's announcement builds on the Government's commitment to boost women's leadership and advocacy and I congratulate each of the recipients for the outstanding work that they do.

Delivering on an election commitment, the Government will host a National Rural Women's Summit in Canberra from June 26-28.

This Summit will identify and discuss the scope of issues affecting rural women and their communities and consider recommendations to address these issues.

Following the Summit, the Government will consider options to strengthen the capacity of rural women to participate in policy debate affecting their communities.

2007-08 Women’s Leadership and Development Programme Grants Recipients
Organisation Project title Funding (ex GST)
UNIFEM Australia Young Women's Leadership Forum $68,500
Women's International League for Peace and Freedom Facilitating the Preparation and Participation of NGOs in the Development of Australia's National Action Plan on United Nations Security Resolution 1325 $100,000
Multicultural Centre for Women's Health Points of Departure: Immigrant and Refugee Women's Leadership and Advocacy Project $99,058
Young Women's Christian Association Non-English Speaking Background Women's Community Leadership Development and Mentoring Project $94,808
Australian Federation of Medical Women Bridging Leadership Barriers $89,000
Muslim Women's National Network of Australia SILC - Organisational Development Program $99,991
UNIFEM Australia Gender Analysis Training Workshops for National Women's Non-government Organisations $100,000
Australian Breastfeeding Association National Implementation of Breastfeeding Friendly Workplace Projects $99,949
International Women's Development Agency Global Youth Impact $91,360
Older Women's Network Older Women Make Wise Leaders $99,996
The Maternity Coalition Strengthening Women's Ownership of Childbirth: Organisational Development of the Maternity Coalition $46,800
Australasian Council of Women and Policing Fitting in or Standing Out - Surviving Your First Years. A Guide for Women Entering the Policing Profession $40,000
Young Women's Christian Association CEDAW Shadow Report $94,651
Women in Adult Vocational Education Minmaku Palyantja: Waltja Women Leaders' Project (Value Women's Good Work) $87,675
National Council for Single Mothers and Their Children Social Inclusion and Capacity Building for Marginalised Single Mothers $90,000
Girl Guides Australia Young Women - Taking the Lead $85,250
Women in Adult Vocational Education Women on Track: Addressing Skills Shortages in Transport and Construction Industries $42,580
Women's Services Network VirtualWESNET - Website Redesign and Professional Forum $64,070
Fitted for Work Consolidating a National Service $89,550
National Council of Women of Australia Building the Capacity of Aboriginal Women to Create a Thriving Community in Oodnadatta $97,300
Australian Women in Agriculture Step Out, Aspire and Reflect (SOAR) with Support Project $100,000
Australian Local Government Women's Association Implementation of the National Framework for Women in Local Government - The Way Forward $67,400
Australian Women in Information Technology and Science Entity WIT Connections $100,000
Australian Womensport and Recreation Association National Sport Leadership Training $100,000
The Association of Women Educators AWE-SOME WOMEN - The Association of Women Educators Leading Social Change $85,000
TOTAL $2,132,938