New fund targets aid for women
Minister cites issues including spike in domestic violence and coronavirus risks to nurses.
Aveteran community worker has welcomed a newly-announced million-dollar fund for organisations supporting women.
The contestable fund, to be announced by Women’s Minister Julie Anne Genter today, is part of the Government response to the coronavirus.
Auckland Women’s Centre manager Leonie Morris said she was grateful the Government recognised the lockdown was tough for many women. ‘‘Women faced particular difficulties due to the Covid crisis.’’
Many essential workers who had to continue to venture out during the pandemic were women, who made up a large proportion of carers, cleaners, nurses and checkout operators, Morris said.
Meanwhile, solo mothers at home were isolated during lockdown without adult support, and police recorded an increase in domestic violence.
‘‘There is a tremendous amount of work that needs to be done to build the resilience of women, especially Ma¯ori, low income and migrant women,’’ Morris said.
She was not immediately certain what she would apply for from the contestable fund, but one area that sprung to mind immediately was her centre’s project designed to help Ma¯ ori solo mothers.
The community-building project links up single mothers and uses them to help each other, as well as connecting them with support agencies.
Genter said many organisations supporting women had experienced reduced income and volunteer numbers because of Covid-19, while simultaneously seeing a spike in demand for their support and services.
‘‘Issues related to gender equality can take a back-seat during emergencies and crises, and this results in worse outcomes for women and girls. Greater loss of income, increased instances of domestic violence, and increased caring responsibilities all impact on women.’’
Groups that worked with wa¯hine Ma¯ori and those that improved outcomes for women and girls, that were not covered by other Government funds, were encouraged to apply.
The funding might help initiatives such as opening a community centre for an additional day to provide extra services, or supporting a women’s centre to deliver counselling services, Genter said.
The funding would make a ‘‘huge difference’’ to groups that were finding traditional sources of cash drying up after the lockdown, she said.
The feedback she received was that some were ‘‘really struggling’’ to keep their doors open.
The first funding round will be for $250,000 and applications will close on Monday, June 15.