Education, employment opportunities, career advice, domestic violence and mental health support are among services on offer when the next session of the Migrant Women’s Support Program starts on June 20.
Open to migrant women across Wyndham, the free program is run by the Australian Multicultural Women’s Association.
AMWA chief executive Geet Gaba said the aim of the program is simple.
“My whole agenda is to empower and uplift women,” said Ms Gaba, a migrant herself who lives in Tarneit
She began the program after noticing the challenges migrant women in Wyndham faced and decided to use her background as a trainer, career counsellor and small business owner to help.
Those issues were mostly related to domestic violence, with supporting victims originally the program’s focus.
“My main agenda was to encourage women to stand on their own feet,” Ms Gaba said, pointing out that victims from diverse communities often didn’t know how to access support services and struggled from a lack of English and confidence.
Nearly three years on, Ms Gaba said the program had transformed lives.
“We have women who are now working and are stress free who were once victims of violence and under family pressure.”
While supporting victims of domestic violence is still a priority, the program has now broadened to include courses in First Aid, child care and aged care, as well as advice on starting a business, preparing for job interviews and networking.
Sessions are ongoing and offered at venues across Wyndham and online.
Details: pdesk.amwagroup@gmail.com or bit.ly/3IaImFK
Cade Lucas
