Advancing gender equality and women’s safety

Applications are now open for the 2018-19 ACT Women’s Grants Program, with $180,000 available for initiatives aimed at improving the status and lives of women and girls in the ACT, and initiatives that aim to prevent violence against women.

The ACT Women’s Grants Program provides an opportunity for individuals and organisations to help make a real difference for women in the community—even small ideas can lead to significant and lasting change.

Last year, the Women’s Centre for Health Matters received a grant to develop the capacity of ACT women in prison by utilising and developing their skills while they are still in prison, to guide policy and service delivery responses within Correctional Facilities and by the ACT Government.

Grants were also allocated to some other great initiatives, including:

• The ACT Women's Empowerment Program to enable disadvantaged women to up-skill, make connections and ultimately increase employment opportunities.
• The production of a handbook on ACT Family Violence Orders and responding to domestic and family violence in the workplace to help guide employers support staff members experiencing family violence.
• A culturally sensitive action plan to target and address violence against culturally and linguistically diverse women in the ACT.

If you have an innovative idea or proposal to assist women in the community to feel safe, respected and reach their full potential, you should apply. Both individuals and community organisations are encouraged to do so.

Priority for this year’s grants will be given to initiatives that focus on improving the mental health and wellbeing of women in the ACT. This includes both prevention and early intervention initiatives.

For more information about the Program visit https://www.communityservices.act.gov.au/home/grants or call (02) 6205 0515. Applications may be made via Smartygrants at http://dhcs.smartygrants.com.au/201819WG

A full list of last year’s successful recipients and project descriptions is available at www.women.act.gov.au