Strategy aims to make it easier for women to 'enter, stay, and return to work'
New South Wales is investing $16.5 billion over 10 years as part of a new strategy to boost women's opportunities at work, among other objectives.
"The NSW Government is championing women and girls by making it easier for women to enter, stay, and return to work through a $16.5-billion investment in the NSW Budget 2022-23," Minister for Women Bronnie Taylor said.
According to the government, the key priorities of the investment include:
- Increasing women's workforce participation
- Improving the experience of women in the workforce
- Supporting women in small business and entrepreneurs
- Supporting and raising awareness of women's health needs
- Promoting respect for women and women's financial security
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The investment is part of the state's new NSW Women's Strategy 2023-2026, which aims to improve the economic, social, physical, and mental wellbeing of women and girls in NSW. It also builds on the progress of the previous NSW Women's Strategy 2018-2022.
"Now is the time to build on this momentum and drive future opportunities for women and girls in NSW. Through this strategy, I want to empower young girls to become astrophysicists, lead our tech companies, become sporting superstars, and excel in whatever field they choose," Taylor said.
Premier Dominic Perrottet said the strategy was developed after "extensive consultation" with over 2,000 women and girls across New South Wales, as well as groups who work closely with the sector.
"The NSW government is committed to ensuring NSW is the best place in the country for women to live, work and raise a family, and to achieve that, we have developed the most comprehensive package of initiatives to support women in the state's history," Perrottet said.
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Investing in Women Funding Programme
Alongside the new strategy, the government also announced the opening of the Investing in Women Funding Programme. The initiative aims to fund organisations to "develop and implement projects that advance the role, status, and contribution of women and girls" in the community, according to the government website.
The announcement also said the initiative seeks to fund innovative projects that will improve women's financial wellbeing and security and support diverse and flexible opportunities for the sector.
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The government may extend $5,000 to $100,000 in funding for successful applicants. Not-for-profit organisations, local councils and shires, as well as industry bodies working in partnership with the community or government are eligible to apply until November 27.
