Strategic Priorities

Whilst women in the 21st century have the benefit of living in a world that has been positively impacted by several waves of feminism, the issue of equality of opportunity for women has persisted across generations and across the world.
 
YWCA Victoria is affiliated to the World YWCA through YWCA Australia, with the global priorities echoed in YWCA Australia’s focus on housing for women, violence against women, economic security for women and women’s health.
 
As articulated in our mission and vision, YWCA Victoria works to provide opportunities to disadvantaged women; to deliver targeted programs to end inequality in individual lives and in the community; and to advocate on issues related to women’s inequality. Recent research demonstrates the extent to which inequality affects Australian women’s lives:

• Intimate partner violence is responsible for more ill-health and premature death in Victorian women between the ages of 15-44 than any other well-known risk factors, including high blood pressure, obesity and smoking.
• Women’s full time earnings are 81 per cent of men’s, when part time work is included, women’s earnings make up only 64 per cent of men’s.
• In the Legislative Assembly women represent only 31 per cent of members, while in the Legislative Council women represent 30 per cent of councillors.

With a diverse membership base and strengthened by volunteers, YWCA Victoria provides dynamic opportunities to create community connections and participate in local, national and global activities. You can learn more about the issues we advocate for here.  How we work is important to the organisation’s success and community connection this being underpinned by the values: respect; innovation; integrity; sustainability; and women’s leadership and equality.