Muslim women in Victoria to benefit from an innovative community participation project 

15/08/2003

Victorian State Manager for the Department of Family and Community Services, Gwenda Prince, will today officially launch the Islamic Women's Welfare Council of Victoria's Self Esteem, Identity, Leadership and Community Participation (SILC) project in Coburg.

Speaking at the launch on behalf of the Minister for Family and Community Services, Amanda Vanstone, Ms Prince said that the project is just one of many innovative projects already making a real difference to communities and families throughout Australia.

'This project will increase the participation of Muslim women in their own community and the broader Australian community, by providing information and training in leadership, study skills, parenting and family issues,' Ms Prince said.

'The Islamic Women's Welfare Council of Victoria is receiving $387,486 over three years from the Australian Government's Stronger Families and Communities Strategy to develop and deliver assistance to Muslim women in Victoria.

'The project will target women living in Shepparton, Cobram, Coburg, Broadmeadows, Brunswick, Glenroy, Carlton, Fitzroy, Newport and Dandenong. It will involve community consultations and an audit of relevant programs and services, followed by the development of resources and training material to be used for the program.

'The Stronger Families and Communities Strategy is all about people identifying issues of importance to their communities, and with the governments support, improving the quality of community and family life.

'The Strategy funds a range of projects, including parenting and relationship education, community leadership training, assistance for families with young children, support for Indigenous families and communities, and the development of volunteering.'