In a bid to foster gender equality, the Cook Government of Western Australia has committed an unprecedented sum of over $530,000 to propel initiatives empowering women and girls across the state.

A total of 57 organisations have been named beneficiaries of the Women's Grants for a Stronger Future Program.

Projects reshaping gender dynamics in WA

“This year we have invested record funding in the Women's Grants for a Stronger Future Program to support more initiatives, and increased resourcing to deliver better outcomes for women and girls,” said Premier Roger Cook.

“From boosting the number of women on our sporting fields, to ensuring more people have the financial literacy skills they need,” Cook said, “increasing gender equality across all areas is a win for the entire WA community.”

The initiative champions a vision for a more just and equitable WA community, according to Women's Interests Minister Sue Ellery.

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“Women and girls in WA deserve to live and work safely in a community where diversity is embraced, and access to resources and opportunities isn't determined by gender,” Ellery said in celebration of International Women’s Day.

“Progressing gender equality requires the whole community effort, and I am pleased to be able to support a range of innovative projects across WA,” she said.

Administered by the Department of Communities, the grants are strategically allocated across key domains: women's health and wellbeing, safety and justice, women in leadership, and economic independence, in alignment with the State Government's Stronger Together: WA's Plan for Gender Equality.

Among the recipients, the Western Australian Football Commission stands out for its ambitious Female Umpiring Academy project. The initiative sets out to revolutionise the landscape of female umpiring within the sport, with the audacious goal of increasing the number of female umpires from 11% to 40% by 2030.

The Academy will offer comprehensive training, mentorship programs, networking avenues, and sustained professional development. Its mission extends beyond recruitment, aiming to cultivate a sustainable ecosystem that ensures the long-term success and retention of female umpires, thereby reshaping the very fabric of the sport itself.

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Diverse organisations benefit from women's grants program

Other projects have also been selected to receive funding, each with a mission to uplift and support women from diverse backgrounds.

One such endeavour, the BIKE-CURIOUS Slay the Way Pilot Peer Support Program, seeks to foster a culture of continued cycling to school. The project encourages girls to embrace this sustainable mode of transportation.

Meanwhile, a financial empowerment programme of the Spiers Centre aims to support women facing financial hardships by honing their skills for managing finances.

In recognition of the struggles faced by young women affected by family and domestic violence, the Orana House Inc Young Women Warriors Project provides specialised mentoring and support for young women and girls aged 10 to 18.

The Spacecubed Foundation, for its part, helps beneficiaries through its professional growth and leadership development programme. Through immersive learning experiences and direct engagement with seasoned business leaders, the initiative nurtures leadership potential and fosters a culture of empowerment.