Pathways to Politics Program for Women has launched a digital Knowledge Hub today, a public platform where all women and gender diverse people can find practical tools, information and inspiration to help in their run for public office.
The Knowledge Hub is a curated selection of content to help women at different stages of their journey: from understanding why it matters, what they need to consider in making a decision to run, to tools and guidance on getting elected, and becoming a political leader.
‘The first time I voted in an election, I got to vote for myself,’ wrote Takesa Frank in her Knowledge Hub blog. Takesa is a First Nations Pathways to Politics alum who at 19 saw a lack of young people represented in politics at all levels and ran in the NSW local government elections in 2021.
Ruth McGowan OAM, Pathways to Politics alum, former Mayor, consultant and advisor, has offered her step-by-step campaign guide Get Elected for free download on the Knowledge Hub.
‘I want to help women just like you understand what it takes to plan an election campaign, how to be on the campaign trail and how to get elected,’ says Ruth.
‘I’m grateful to be a part of the Pathways to Politics community, but now it’s my time to give back which is why I’m making my book free on the Pathways to Politics [Knowledge Hub].’
‘I get to put my skills into practice to stand up and advocate for the needs of my local constituents. I can play my part in ensuring that politics is truly representative, and its policies, decisions and direction are the best for the community where we live,’ writes Cathrine Burnett-Wake, Pathways to Politics alum and recently elected Member of the Victorian Legislative Council in her recommendations for your pathway to politics.
Other exclusive content on the Knowledge Hub includes:
- Representing Care: Toward a More Family-Friendly Parliament identifies key amendments necessary to making state and federal parliaments ‘care-friendly’, an essential element to ensuring parliaments are gender-equitable workplaces.
- Carol Schwartz AO in conversation with Annabel Crabb, a special Pathways to Politics event discussing her documentary Ms Represented and the experiences of women in parliament.
- Australian Indigenous women and political leadership: a conversation with Michelle Deshong, Dr Michelle Evans and Kat Henaway discussing the political participation of Indigenous women in Australia, initiatives designed to support Indigenous leadership, and their advice for Indigenous women who are thinking about running for elected office.
The Pathways to Politics Program for Women is a national, proudly non-partisan initiative that aims to change the face of politics by equipping women with the skills, knowledge, confidence and networks they need to run for elected office and thrive as political leaders.
This initiative of the Trawalla Foundation, Women’s Leadership Institute Australia and University of Melbourne seeks to address the underrepresentation of women in Australian politics, and is delivered in partnership with state-based university partners University of Melbourne, QUT and UNSW.
Pathways to Politics was initiated through the vision of Carol Schwartz AO, Chair of the Trawalla Foundation, who fundamentally believes in the value of more female leaders.
‘I am proud of the national momentum we are building – together we are literally changing the face of Australian politics,’ says Carol Schwartz AO.
Pathways to Politics has achieved 20 electoral successes nationally across the political spectrum at local, state and federal levels of government and know of at least 20 alum running in the federal and Victorian state elections in 2022.
For media enquiries please contact: Bella Skelton 0432 016 869, bella@trawallafoundation.com.au
