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Support for our women leaders

Country women across Victoria can now apply for the 2023 Rural Women’s Network Leadership and Mentoring Programs.

Both programs will encourage and empower participants to have an active voice and role in the agriculture sector.

The 2023 Leadership Program will provide women with support to participate in training and study that accelerates their development as leaders.

Participants will also work closely as a group to explore issues impacting rural women, learn from subject matter experts, and connect with other rural women from across Victoria.

The 2023 Mentoring Program will pair rural women together for a peer-to-peer exchange of skills and experience.

Working with skilled facilitators, participants will identify individual, career or business goals and work to implement change with the support and accountability of their mentoring partner.

Agriculture Victoria’s Sarah-Jane McCormack said the programs recognise the value of women in our growing agriculture sector.

“Women are essential to our sector’s success, however Victorian women remain underrepresented in leadership and decision-making roles,” she said.

“These programs help address that gap by equipping rural women with the skills and confidence to participate in more leadership and decision-making positions.”

Since 2017, the Victorian Rural Women’s Network has supported 44 women to access best practice leadership development training.

The network was established in 1986 as a forum for women to share skills, resources and information for collective benefit.

In May this year, the Victorian Government committed a further $1.38 million so the network can continue delivering programs.

Applications for both programs close at 5pm on February 13.

For more information and to apply for either program, visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/support-and-resources/networks/rural-womens-network

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