WHGNE partnered with Sports North East and the Rural City of Wangaratta to address gender inequity in local sporting clubs.
This partnership acknowledged the key role of sporting clubs in regional and rural areas in shaping community attitudes and behaviour. By promoting gender equality and removing gendered practices, sporting clubs can increase the participation of women and girls while addressing the underlying drivers of violence against women.
A range of events were held, including a community forum and follow-up training to build the capacity of sporting leaders to adopt a gender equity approach that embedded structural and systemic change within their clubs. A subsequent podcast project was established to focus on intersectional exclusion that may be impacting women and girls across the region.
The virtual community created for diverse women and girls is expected to enhance resilience, participation and community support for women through the long-term culture change journey.