This project provides educational opportunities and improves the quality of life of disadvantaged women and young women through facilitating their participation in the Strong Women Leadership & Innovation Program.
There are three elements to the program:
- Educational & inspirational webinars on topics such as self-development, leadership and innovation;
- Face to face workshops, inspirational speakers, recognition of strong women leaders, followed by;
- A 6-month mentoring and innovation program.
The educational opportunities and workshops offered will teach resilience strategies, approaches to innovation, confidence building and personal development as well as offer participation in a longer term mentoring and innovation program. It will develop a supportive social and community network, link isolated women and young women to positive role models; celebrate the achievements, innovation and the resilience of isolated and disadvantaged RRR women; and create opportunities both personally and professionally for women to grow in their capabilities and confidence.
This project will open a door of enlightenment and opportunity to isolated women and young women severely affected by the compounding factors of drought and the mining downturn. Women typically put their needs behind those of their family, business and even community, often foregoing access to external stimulation and opportunities such as education and social outlets.
In drought times and times of economic downturn such as the mining bubble burst, this instinct is exacerbated by the need to go into survival mode due to reduced cash flows and financial pressure, increased workloads and less capacity and opportunity for employment. Developing resilience and innovation through improved support networks and low cost opportunities to access education, recognition and self-development will directly assist these women to increase their capacity to support their families and communities through this tough time and sustain them as creators of a positive and productive future.
