The challenges girls and young women face
Friendship issues, relationships, expectations to do well at school, body changes, and social media are all factors that contribute to many girls and young women in the ACT feeling overwhelmed, stressed, and uncertain about their future.
We help girls and young women thrive, not just survive
Providing a sense of belonging within our safe, inclusive community and boosting self-belief, inner strength, confidence, courage, and hope allows girls and young women to find their voice and understand who they are and what they can be.
All our programs are free to girls and young women, their families, and their communities.
Fearless women in schools
Visiting schools throughout the Canberra region, we talk to girls and young women about the importance of wellbeing, self-empowerment, and self-value.
Mentor Program
Our mentor program pairs girls and young women with a woman who’ll listen without judgment and offer friendship, support, and wisdom.
Counselling
Our fully accredited counsellors provide professional guidance and resources to develop independence and resilience.
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