Working with young women

Lead On Again 2006

Lead On Again participants with project coordinators Sally Camilleri and Jane Howard

From 16 - 20 January the energy levels in Women's Health West offices went up a notch or two. Laughter punctuated the usual hum of women coming and going, staff conversations and computers tinkling as they open. The intermittent laughter was coming from WHW's training room where twelve young women from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds were participating in workshops as part of Lead On Again. Lead On Again is a leadership program for young women aged between sixteen and twenty-five. The project was based on an earlier young women's leadership program called Lead On that WHW ran in 2004.

Lead On Again was funded by the Office of Women's Policy and coordinated by WHW health promotion workers, Sally Camilleri and Jane Howard.

WHW called for applications to participate in the program at the end of last year. Interviews were conducted and twelve young women were selected. As well as giving the young women the opportunity to be part of a formal application process, the interview also allowed the coordinators to hear what the young women hoped to cover in the course and tailor the program more closely to their needs.

We were thrilled by the enthusiasm and calibre of all the young women who applied. The final twelve came from all parts of the globe:Ethiopia, Eritrea, Iraq, Vietnam, China and Sudan. Over the five days of the program the young women took part in sessions on defining leadership, conflict resolution and communication skills, understanding political structures, public speaking, how to plan an event, taking up opportunities, body image and confidence building and relationships and sexual decision-making.

A panel discussion was held on the last day of the program. Four young role models were invited to tell their stories and spoke of their refuge experiences,joining a political party, becoming a university lecturer and a political activist whilst studying for a PhD.

Project coordinators Sally and Jane were keen to ensure all workshop and activities were as practical as possible. The young women decided to organise a graduation ceremony to test their skills in event planning. The young women put their skills to excellent use. Congratulations on each and every one of the participants.