The Country Women’s Association of NSW has announced a major campaign championing women and families living in regional and rural New South Wales as part of its annual Awareness Week, launched on Saturday September 2.

The CWA is calling for greater support across a number of key issues, and partnering with other organisations to deliver support and resources.

This year’s campaign focuses on four key areas –

State President Annette Turner says the structure of and demands placed on families today has shifted significantly in recent years, and now more than ever families of all shapes and sizes need more support.

“We have chosen to raise awareness of the changing face of families in the bush this year because as women who have raised, been part of or supported families ourselves, we’ve observed just how much day-to-day life has changed in recent years, and what this means for families in terms of new or added pressures,” said Annette.

According to a study by the Australian Psychological Society in 2014, financial issues and family issues remain the leading causes of stress amongst Australians.

“We’ve identified these four areas as key in helping families and women, both young and old, navigate and enjoy life in the 21st century.

“Specifically, we are calling on grandparents as carers of grandchildren to be recognised as a family, rather than foster carers, and for changes to out-of-home care provisions for children being cared for by grandparents,” said Annette.

The CWA of NSW is also encouraging women to take up the challenge of starting their own small business, and also equip themselves and their families for a successful financial future.

“We’re calling for the establishment of business hubs in major centres to allow women who want to start their own business or already have to come together for advice and support, as well as access a one-stop-shop for all the requirements and red tape involved in launching a business,” said Annette.

The CWA of NSW is partnering with 10 Thousand Girl, a non-profit organisation launched in 2009 dedicated to improving the financial wellbeing of Australian women through education that empowers and connects. The organisation provides a wealth of online tools and resources, which will be accessible via the CWA of NSW website, along with workshops and seminars planned for 2018.  

Future female entrepreneurs, managers, volunteers and mothers are also a focus this year, with teenage girls found to be more than twice as likely as boys to be in severe psychological distress, according to a recent Mission Australia report.

“We are encouraging the formation of new branches around the state that cater to the needs of younger members, as well as inviting teenage girls in the community to connect with our senior members for mentoring support,” said Annette.

“We’re also partnering with The Girls Academy for Awareness Week, who are dedicated to empowering and developing Aboriginal girls in regional NSW. “

Girls Academy founder, Ricky Grace, said the Academy’s mission is to ‘Develop a Girl - Change a Community’.

“As future community leaders, and as future parents, resilient and educated young women are critical to closing the unacceptable gap that exists between Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islanders and other Australians.

“With New South Wales home to 30 percent of the nation’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population, the state is a major focus for the expansion of the Girls Academy. We will have 800 girls enrolled in our program in NSW by the end of 2017,” said Ricky.