Member for Northern Victoria Region, Candy Broad said local councils and non-profit community organisations could benefit from a new women’s leadership grants program, launched by Premier John Brumby at the 10th Premier’s Women’s Summit in Melbourne last week.
“Grants between $2000 and $20,000 are available, to build women’s leadership skills and increase diversity among Victoria’s female leaders.”
Successful applicants could use the grant funding to:
- increase the capacity of women to participate in decision making
- increase opportunities for women’s leadership
- increase diversity among Victoria’s female leaders
- promote the achievements of Victorian women in civic and political life.
Minister for Women’s Affairs Maxine Morand said the new Women’s Leadership Grants Program clearly demonstrated the Brumby Labor Government’s determination to pursue the equal participation of women in all aspects of Victorian life.
Ms Broad said the Brumby Labor Government has also established the Victorian Women’s Register for women interested in serving on Government boards and committees.
“There are nearly 2000 quality female candidates already on the register, and I encourage Victorian women to check out the Women’s Register at www.women.vic.gov.au,” she said.
The Brumby Labor Government also launched a major upgrade to the Victorian Women’s Register, which currently includes over 2000 women.
Ms Broad said this upgrade would ensure that talented and skilled women can identify themselves for all Victorian boards, public, private, not for profit and community.
She said the Brumby Labor Government is leading the way by encouraging women to take up senior leadership positions.
“Since 2001, the Brumby Labor Government has increased the proportion of women on Government Boards and Committees from 31% to 40%. But, we want to go further, and are now working towards a target of 50% of women as new appointments to Government Boards and Committees.”
Ms Broad said the Brumby Labor Government has a range of initiatives in place to encourage the full participation of women in the workplace.
“Victoria has amended our equal opportunity legislation, to help working families achieve a better balance between their work and family responsibilities. Employers must now give due consideration to their employees’ request for flexible working hours to accommodate family responsibilities.”
“The Brumby Labor Government’s Fair & Flexible Workplace awards and our ways2work interactive website ways2work.business.vic.gov.au also promote family-friendly workplaces, to attract and retain quality staff.
Ms Broad said the annual Premier’s Women’s Summits continue the Brumby Labor Government’s conversations with women.
“The Women’s Summits are vital in providing the opportunity for women, decision-makers and policy leaders to talk to government about what’s important to them, and to inform future planning and policies for women, across the state.”
The focus for the 2009 Premier’s Women’s Summit was Women’s Leadership in the Workplace.
Applications for the Victorian Government’s new Women’s Leadership Grants close on 30 November. For more information / grant application forms, visit www.women.vic.gov.au