the challenges girls and young women face
Recent research and surveys conducted by the Australian National University and Mission Australia show that girls and young women in the ACT feel overwhelmed, stressed, and uncertain about their future. Factors that contribute include:
- Friendship and relationship issues.
- Pressure and expectations to do well at school, college, uni or work.
- Being bullied online, at school, home, or work.
- Body changes and comparing themselves with others
Helping girls and young women thrive, not just survive
Our mission is to help build confidence and resilience in our girls and young women in the Canberra region, allowing them to change their futures and fearlessly find their way.
Our girls-only programs support girls to discover who they are and see all they can be in a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment, which:
- Provides a sense of belonging.
- Allows them to find their voice and speak without fear of judgment.
- Increases self-belief, inner strength, courage, and hope.
- Equips them to fear less and face life’s challenges with confidence and resilience.
It helps with girls’ confidence by supporting them to move outside their comfort zone but in a safe space.
Hannah
Positive benefits for girls and young women who get involved with Fearless Women include:
Wisdom
A better perspective on life, a love of learning, and greater creativity and curiosity.
Empathy
Increased social intelligence, compassion, caring, and kindness for others.
Justice
Improved leadership and teamwork skills and a sense of fairness for all.
Restraint
Improved self-regulation, judgment, and forgiveness.
Integrity
An appreciation of the beauty in our world and excellence, gratitude, humour, and hope.
Courage
Resilience, honesty, bravery and perseverance when faced with difficult situations.
In the ACT
52%
of young women were concerned with their body image, compared with 15% of young men. 1
In the ACT
59%
of young women were concerned about their mental health issues, compared with 25% of young men. 1
In the ACT
60%
of young women were concerned with coping with stress, compared with 30% for males. 1
In the ACT
49%
of girls said school or study problems was a concern compared to 22% of boys. 1
In the ACT just
33%
of girls were extremely or very confident in their ability to achieve their study or work goals after school compared to 50% boys in the ACT or 46% of young people nationally. 1
In the ACT
66%
of young women felt mental health was a barrier impacting on the achievement of study or work goals compared with 40.8% of males. 1
In the ACT
20%
of young women aged 20-24 had negative feelings for their future. 3
In the ACT only
36.7%
of young women feeling positive or very positive about the future. 1
In the ACT
33.7%
of young women felt lonely all or most of the time compared with 16.3% of young men. 3
In the ACT only
9%
of young women aged 20-24 felt their health and wellbeing was balanced. 3
In the ACT only
8%
of young women aged 16-19 year felt their health and wellbeing was balanced. 3
In the ACT
49%
of young women aged 20-24 felt stressed. 3
In the ACT
54%
of young women aged 16-19 years felt stressed. 3
In Australia
65%
of girls who repeatedly self-injured when aged 14-17 reported attempting suicide at age 16-17. 4
In Australia
7%
of girls self-harmed at both ages 14-15 and 16-17, compared to 1% of boys. 4
In the ACT
42%
of girls reported thinking about self-harm at 14-15 or 16-17, compared to 18% of boys. 2
In the ACT girls aged
15-19
experience a higher rate of psychological distress than any other Australian jurisdiction. 2
In the ACT girls aged
15-19
were twice as likely than young men to report high psychological distress. 2
In the ACT
1 in 3
girls aged 15-19 met the criteria for serious mental illness. 2