Priority Issues

Leadership

AWC encourages the mentoring of women to develop skills in high levels of management, advocacy and negotiation. Women should be visible leaders!

Youth

We advocate for an all-inclusive national education agenda to advance the status of women. This approach includes a socially inclusive/multicultural national education curriculum addressing racial violence and abuse which often targets women. We also strongly support the development of youth as effective community leaders on the issues that affect them.

Social inclusion - respecting diversity

AWC brings together groups of women community leaders who might not otherwise have an opportunity to meet and interact - women from diverse community, professional, cultural and faith-based organisations. These close interactions are key to breaking down barriers between women, which will continue to have a positive trickle-effect in their communities.

Long term care for survivors of sexual violence

With most survivors not disclosing sexual violence for at least ten years, existing Government policies and initiatives do not address the health, legal and social issues which may be ongoing and exacerbated by life events years later. With this gap in mind, the AWC advocates for a comprehensive response to the needs of sexual assault survivors over the longer term.

Mental health of DV survivors

Women escaping domestic violence (DV) constantly state three major needs of concern for physical and mental wellbeing: safety, security and affordable housing. The Women’s Refuge Movement plays an essential role in the initial stages of helping women and their children to achieve these goals. However, refuge workers are conscious that they are crisis workers, not professional counsellors, and therefore their intervention is to take care of immediate areas of concern. They can refer women for short term counselling if it is needed, but for women who are the victims of long-term violence, more professional and long-term support may be needed. There is a critical need for Government funding to support the long-term needs of DV survivors.