Name: Laura Matthews
Grade: Year 12
Age: 17 Years
School: The Cathedral College Rockhampton
Hometown and State: Emerald QLD
LIFTING US UP – How can women and girls empower each other and their communities in times of uncertainty and change?
Bushfires, floods, drought, mining downturns. Merely a few of the issues that women in rural and regional Queensland face on a daily basis. These uncontrollable experiences of immense challenge and uncertainty form the mindset of the rural woman; that of persistence, determination and an insatiable compassion for all.
In the face of adversity innovation flourishes and the women of rural and regional Queensland are a testament to the fact that when faced with challenges we can achieve greatness.
I come from a community in which I have been blessed to grow up around so many wonderful role models of female empowerment. The township of Emerald is both a mining and agricultural locality meaning that many residents have been immensely impacted by both economic and environmental disasters. Although, when confronted with adversity that would drive most others to throw in the towel, women have taken charge and created livelihoods around families and partners to support their households.
I believe that young women and girls are unaware of the many amazing female role models within their communities, and that they often lack a support system through times of hardship. It is also often difficult to support others and reach out in times of struggle within small communities as distance and communication avenues are an immense barrier.
Women and girls can empower each other and their communities in times of uncertainty and change by initiating a platform in which businesses, communities and inspirational women can be put in the spotlight and given the recognition they deserve for tireless journeys often plagued with obstacles and sacrifices.
The establishment of a multi-industry platform would allow like-minded women across Australia to connect and convey their unique stories of trials and triumphs. This platform would serve as a space for girls to engage with positive female role models from different backgrounds and observe their admirable values born from their unique experiences. It will also enable young women and girls to seek guidance in a space not plagued by toxicity, unrealistic standards and manipulative influencers and will immensely change the way in which women and girls can support one another in various stages of their lives whilst promoting their communities. Moreover, this forum can connect many small communities together to form an online support network, especially in times of suffering and hardship.
Times of uncertainty and change can often be blessings in disguise as they provide an outlet for innovation and advancement. If women and girls are given a positive outlet to convey their messages and feel as though their voices are being heard, it will change the way that themselves and their communities as a whole can move forward towards a brighter future. We must do this, not just to empower ourselves in the current moment, but to continue this inter-generational female empowerment for women Australia-wide.
Only when we stop to truly acknowledge the extraordinary women within our communities, can females genuinely be empowered to create change from challenges.