The future is female
-
16 July 2024
-
2 min read
“A good education that reflects the strengths of our girls and young women is one that will let them walk with confidence in two worlds.” – June Oscar AO, Social Justice Commissioner
Our young women deserve an education that builds their confidence, strengthens their Culture, and enables them to realise their potential.
But right now, many are missing out due to a lack of financial support.
Programs that cater to Indigenous young men receive significantly more funding from State and Federal governments, corporations, and philanthropic initiatives than programs catering to Indigenous young women. Yet our young women face many of the same barriers to educational engagement and attainment as our young men do.
From intergenerational trauma and cultural loss, to racism, discrimination, and bullying, school is often a tough place for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to be. But our young women face the added barrier of a lack of funding that compounds the effects of inequality they face, which has devastating outcomes for their safety, security, well-being, self-esteem, and confidence.
Our young women deserve better. That’s why NASCA’s programs exist.
NASCA’s Young Women’s Academies
As one of the only organisations in the country with a dedicated Young Women’s Academy Program, specifically addressing the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young women and girls, we understand the unique challenges they face and understand the unique opportunities to improve their lives.
We know that a supportive and culturally safe education is not only the building block for our young women to become the leaders they aspire to be, but is one of the primary means of achieving equality.
That’s why we are in schools, walking alongside our young women, connecting them to Culture that teaches and heals them, helping them feel capable, valued, and empowered, in ways that are special and unique to them.
From role-modelling, to one-to-one support, and group mentoring, to in-class, and academic support, transportation to and from school, healthy meals, well-being workshops, cultural excursions, camps, and events, and a dedicated NASCA safe space. Our intensive, wrap-around support enables our young women to thrive at school and helps them grow up proud of their Culture and heritage, confident in their abilities, and empowered to build a successful future for themselves, their families and their communities.
“If NASCA wasn’t here I’d probably be suspended or expelled at this point. NASCA helped me get through it because I could come in here and talk to the girls, having that safe place is so important because you don’t really find that anywhere else.”
