Greens Invest $4.9 million to Empower Women & Girls

The Tasmanian Greens today celebrated International Women’s Day by releasing their $4.9 million election commitment to empower Tasmania’s women and girls.

Greens Women’s spokesperson Cassy O’Connor MP said the twin goals of the policy commitment is to promote gender equality and invest in programs to tackle the cycle of family violence.

“We want to foster a safer and more inclusive future for all Tasmanian women and their children,” Ms O’Connor said.

“This will require investing in cultural change to empower women and girls to reach their full potential, to assert their right to feel safe in their homes, and to be valued as full equal partners in our community.”

“Part of that cultural change is to continue tackling the cycle of inter-generational violence by sending the strongest possible message that sexism and violence towards women and children will not be tolerated.”

The Greens’ 44.9 million Empowering Women and Girls package includes:

 $1 million boost to the Tasmanian Women’s Legal Service

 $1 million to assist victims of family violence access\access to therapeutic counselling and support services

 $1 million to increase family support services through the Gateway program

 $800, 000 to roll out a statewide FLAVERS program, modelled on the successful Hobart Women’s Shelter service

 $500, 000 to fund a statewide social marketing campaign to change community attitudes to violence towards women and children

 $500, 000 to continue Respectful Relationships education in schools, and extend into community, workplace and sporting organisations

 $100, 000 to establish a ‘Mentors in Violence Prevention’ train-the-trainer program.

“The Greens will also establish a White Ribbon Ambassador Council to report annually to Parliament on progress made to reduce violence against women and children in our society.”

“Much can be said about improving the lot of women, but we need stronger and appropriately resourced action. The Greens have the runs on the board to demonstrate that we walk the talk for women and girls,” Ms O’Connor said.

Download, The Greens’ Empowering Tasmania’s Women and Girls policy initiative: (couldn’t upload … too big; no doubt it is on the Greens’ website).
Greens Women’s spokesperson Cassy O’Connor