Released 9 May 2010

Successful applicants share $100,000 in ACT Women's Grants

A service that helps local women living with HIV to live richer lives and a project focused on empowering indigenous young women to develop leadership skills are among recipients of the 2009-10 ACT Women's Grants program announced today.

ACT Minister for Women Joy Burch said 13 local projects will share in $100,000 under the program, which is aimed at improving the status of women and strengthening the capacity of organisations to provide women's services.

"Improving the status of women and girls is fundamental to the ACT Government's vision of a strong, inclusive and safe community," Ms Burch said. "I was impressed by the innovative and diverse projects that were proposed this year."

The projects to receive funding will contribute to improving outcomes for women and girls in areas of leadership, economic independence, community participation, health, arts and sports.

Grants were allocated in two categories - capacity building and special projects. Organisations to receive funding include:

YWCA of Canberra: $15,000 to empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young women to develop leadership skills.

Inanna Inc: $9000 to provide opportunities for disadvantaged women to gain their First Aid Certificate and undertake nutritional education and training through a ‘strengths-based' participatory approach.

Companion House: $3000 to support women from Canberra's Southern Sudanese community to express their cultural heritage through dance, song and preparation of traditional food for community celebrations.

Other organisations to receive funding include the AIDS Action Council of the ACT, ACT Women and Prisons Group, Migrant and Refugee Settlement Services of the ACT Inc, Canberra Roller Derby League and Support Asian Women's Friendship Association Inc.

Further information about the ACT Women's Grants Program is available from the Office for Women on 6207 2552.

Media Contact: Victor Violante victor.violante@act.gov.au
Phone: (02) 6205 0145
Mobile: 0421 846 201