CFA brigades will have the opportunity to participate in The Rural Challenge, a program promoting gender equality in rural organisations.
Dr Jessica Crofts of The Rural Challenge program spoke of the influence rural institutions such as the CFA hold as a role model in rural communities, in a briefing held at CFA HQ on Friday.
CFA leaders from as far as Casterton, Bendigo, Wangaratta and the West region were present as Jessica spoke about barriers and restrictions to gender equality in rural areas.
“The aim is to support leaders to develop gender equality action plans to make their organisation more female friendly and gender equal,” Jessica said.
“It’s super important for us to be partnered with organisations like CFA because they’re so well respected in their local communities.
“There are a lot of quick wins and things brigades can do help foster a better environment, and we’re here to help them do that.”
The program features a gender equality workshop followed by an anonymous survey, with the results of both of these actions resulting in the development of a gender equality action plan.
The program is free, and has the potential to increase brigades’ membership, volunteers and funding, alongside the key aim of preventing violence against women and promoting gender equality.
CFA are already making huge strides in promoting gender equality, with a number of women's only training sessions taking place, including recently in the North West and West.
The program has been a hit in the North West, where brigades such as Macedon, Lancefield, Riddells Creek, Maldon, Malmsbury, Taradale, Kangaroo Flat and Maiden Gully have already taken part in the Challenge.
While sessions won’t begin again for brigades until the conclusion of fire season, brigades, districts or regions who are interested in taking part in the Challenge get in touch here by email.
You can also find more information on The Rural Challenge’s Facebook page, or website.