Women's Empowerment Program (WEP)

Every woman deserves the chance to define her own future.

Women seeking asylum face unique and often compounding challenges, navigating a complex immigration system while managing the particular social, economic, and personal barriers that disproportionately affect women. The ASRC’s Women’s Empowerment Program (WEP) exists to stand alongside women at every step, building skills, confidence, and community.

In 2024–25, WEP supported 153 women members through 24+ structured sessions and events, alongside a weekly sewing program across 10 months, all co-designed with members and delivered through strong community partnerships.

What we do

WEP supports women seeking asylum and refugees to identify their goals and develop a real pathway toward them. Whether that means entering education, building toward employment, developing leadership skills, or simply finding community and connection, we tailor our support to each woman’s needs and aspirations.

Our program brings together workshops, peer learning, mentoring, and practical activities, covering areas including:

• Leadership and public speaking — building confidence to speak up, present, and lead in community and professional settings
• Education and training pathways — support to identify and pursue courses, qualifications, and professional development
•  Workforce preparation — practical skills for job searching, applications, interviews, and Australian workplace norms
• Understanding rights and navigating Australian systems — accessible information on legal rights, services, and how to access them
• Social connection and community building — fostering a space where women support and inspire one another

A community of women

One of the most powerful things about WEP is the community it creates. Women who have been through the program often describe the connections they’ve made as just as valuable as any formal skill. We foster that, creating a space where women support and inspire one another, and where shared experience becomes shared strength.

The program is member-led, and women actively shape and facilitate workshops, community projects, and peer learning. Members have reported increased confidence, reduced isolation, and stronger community belonging. Through the Empower Her Ride initiative, participants learned to ride and maintain bicycles, with each woman receiving a bike to increase her mobility and independence.

Get involved

If you’re a woman seeking asylum or a refugee and would like to find out more about WEP, get in touch with our team.

WEP Coordinators contacts:

Phone number and email: 03 9274 9826, hub_women@asrc.org.au 

Footscray: Tue, Thu and Fri 10 am–4 pm
Dandenong: Mon 10 am–4 pm