Women empowering women

An inspiring female member who is proficient in both English and Persian will lead the first of three bilingual English language classes for women members of the ASRC. This new initiative has been facilitated by the WISE Women’s Program, who work from an empowerment model where by creating a safe and supportive environment, women of all levels of skills and literacy can realise their full potential.

Over the past year, many women have shown a need for basic literacy in their own language before taking on a whole new language. The bilingual classes were developed as a response and will be run by women members, fluent in English – to start teaching instruction in a language that the students know. The classes are due to start next month in Persian, Amharic and Tamil.

Program Manager, Anila first uncovered the need for a class like this when they performed a survey of 48 women members to determine barriers to engagement with ASRC’s wider programs. “Many women shared that there are programs available in ASRC for women that are educated and professional that can be accessed to improve their skills. There is however, very little opportunity available for women who do not know how to read and write, have no language skills or are above 50 years of age. Education, language and confidence levels are not the same for everyone – women’s levels needs to be brought up”.

Working alongside women members has enabled program staff to identify key challenges that the women face, including feeling isolated and ‘stuck’ within the confines of their home. One member describes, “I feel like I am a bird in a cage, in a beautiful garden”. Their lack of confidence in venturing out of the safety of their home directly affected their confidence in learning a new language, particularly without the support of a teacher who understood and could translate English words into their local language.

An eager member student comments, “I want to learn English and want to have the ability to read and write. This will open my brain to do many things… and enable me to think of something other than my hopeless situation. Then if I have access to a computer to practice all my new skills, I may forget for a moment that I am an asylum seeker.”

The dual language class offers a nurturing environment where women feel comfortable to experiment with a new language, can make mistakes, and learn at their own pace. The class of 12 will take place in the Innovation Hub’s dedicated women’s space, which already boasts a waiting list of 15 people who are eager to begin their journey learning English.

The classes will take place in the newly-opened Women’s Room – a ‘women only’ space in the Hub. Another exciting initiative that will enable women to meet amongst themselves, undertake training, and set up ‘pop-up’ businesses. Beauticians and hairdressers, who are already accomplished professionals in their countries are obtaining Australian qualifications through the support of the training program, and will practice in the space. Professional member bakers and caterers can also use the space to sell and trial their products. This space would also be an excellent medium for women to showcase their skills to our corporate partners and supporters, and be role models to other women members.

About the WISE Women’s Program

The program aims to support women seeking asylum to increase their social, economic and community participation through education, work experience, mentoring, the development of business skills and participation in social and community building activities.

A great success of the WISE Women Program has been 25 of our members have become a part of the Hub’s workforce through volunteering – and one as a paid staff member. It has been hugely empowering for our women volunteers to become part of the working team and service providers themselves. Volunteering also allows women members to tap into their many skills – adding to the ASRC’s organisational resource pool.

Under the Wise Women Project, the ASRC Innovation Hub will see women design and run a number of initiatives for other women seeking asylum. The ASRC’s small business and WISE Women are working closely to develop a ‘Women in Business’ program, offering training packages for those who have the requisite skills but feel not quite ready. This will include skills like English conversation, assertiveness training, computer skills, budgeting, advertising, working with print media, digital designing and printing.

Watch this space.