Women Leaders in Community Sport Program builds confidence
7 March 2023
Inner West is celebrating International Women’s Day with a suite of programs and by working towards real change on gender equity, every day of the year - not just on 8 March.
In fostering gender equity, Inner West Council has established a Women Leaders in Community Sport program that provides practical skills and confidence-building for current and emerging leaders.
The program aims to increase the participation of women administrators in local sporting clubs. Program alumni will feed into an ongoing Women Leaders in Sport network.
First intake participant Zoe, from Leichhardt Saints FC, said: “I found the sessions very engaging and got more out of them than I was anticipating. I found the content relatable, relevant, and applicable and can see myself using many of the discussed skills and strategies in my everyday life and to benefit my club's development”.
The Inner West Council Gender Equity Strategy 2021 – 2025 outlines how Council is stepping up to play its part in ending gender-based violence by challenging gender stereotypes and power imbalances and advancing gender equity among our community.
The strategy outlines how Council is stepping up to play its part in ending gender-based violence by challenging gender stereotypes and power imbalances and advancing gender equity among our community.
Council Director Community Ruth Callaghan said council is working to create a safe, inclusive and equal Inner West, where everyone has access to equal power, resources and opportunities.
“As an executive we have more senior women on the Inner West executive than most councils,” said Callaghan.
“It is fair to say that local government is still seen as a bit of a blokes’ world, but I’m really pleased to be working with a general manager and an executive team that has a number of really competent and energetic women.”
Callaghan said gender equity is built into Council’s existing operational systems, recruitment, planning, policy and strategy work.
“As the child of a feminist I grew up understanding that for women education means choices and I’m always grateful to my parents for that. And it’s certainly something with my two male children I have passed on,” said Callaghan.
Inner West women can choose from a wide range of activities on Wednesday 8 March and throughout the month:
- International Women’s Day panel discussion - Australian Greek Women in Leadership as part of Library Speaker Series, Wednesday 8 March 6.30pm-7:30pm, Ashfield Town Hall.
- Free Yin Yoga Wednesday, 8 March 4pm-5pm, Ashfield Aquatic Centre.
- Free Dancing Pump class Wednesday, 8 March 11:30am-12:30pm. Annette Kellerman Aquatic Centre.
- Women’s Cycling Tour, Thursday 9 March, 6:30pm-8:30pm.
- Marrickville South Community barbecue – 30 March, 3pm-5pm
Inner West Library Film Club
- The Woman King Marrickville Library, 10am, 10 March
- The Flood Leichhardt Library, 1pm, 14 March
- The Eyes of Tammy Faye Balmain Library, 2pm, 24 March
For full details of Inner West International Women’s Day activities go to: International Women's Day in the Inner West
For media enquiries please contact Brett Clancy on 02 9335 2193 or brett.clancy@innerwest.nsw.gov.au