At Girls on Fire, we believe in the power of young women to transform their communities. Our programs are designed to provide practical, emotional, and community-focused support, particularly in regional and remote areas like Brewarrina, Cobar, and Wilcannia. By aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 5—Gender Equality—we aim to create pathways for young women to engage in meaningful work, build resilience, and reduce suffering in the face of disasters.
Here are some of the ways we walk the walk at Girls on Fire!
Financial Impact: Creating Real Opportunities
You might be surprised to know that all Girls on Fire programs are FREE to take part in. We made the decision early to make sure that being able to afford to come to a program was not going to be a barrier to enjoying our programs. By engaging youth early, we showcase fire and emergency in an experience-based way. Girls on Fire aim to reduce recruitment costs for emergency services and provide avenues of employment for regional and remote teens, especially those not pursuing university pathways. This approach not only creates jobs in local areas but also fosters a sense of purpose and belonging among participants.
Emotional Support: Building Confidence and Connection
Girls on Fire addresses the emotional challenges faced by young people, including feelings of powerlessness when it comes to their futures, leaving places they feel connected to to find work, and climate anxiety. Our programs offer a practical focus, providing a reason to connect with the community outside traditional structures like family, school, and sports. By giving girls and teens from underrepresented communities access to positive role models, we create environments that promote positive mental health and self-worth.
Practical Support: Strengthening Communities
Girls on Fire programs are run by fire and emergency and youthwork professionals. Baked into what we do is practical information participants can take home to keep their family safe. Via fire plans, learning how to use an extinguisher, deploying fire blankets, and learning about everything from storm water safety to motor vehicle accident extraction, every teen goes home more aware of the risks and how to stay safe.
We also localise our content. Our initiatives enable communities to increase their disaster and emergency response capabilities. This is based on the challenges they face like bushfires, floods, land-based incidents, urban firefighting, and more.
By involving local youth in these programs, we provide agencies and townsfolk with a positive way to connect with young people. This collaborative approach creates a sense of unity and purpose, enhancing overall community resilience.
And we’re proud to say this translates into real interest and enrolment in everything from cadets through to junior SES and rural fire service programs.
Demonstrating Public Benefit: Evidence of Impact
To illustrate the effectiveness of our programs, we collect data and statistics showing the extent of the problems we're tackling. For instance, youth unemployment rates in regional Australia are significantly higher than the national average, with some areas experiencing rates up to 40% higher Ozspark Hub. Additionally, mental health challenges among Aboriginal youth are pressing, with a significant percentage reporting feelings of hopelessness and anxiety National Indigenous Times.
We focus on regional areas and places where Aboriginal and CaLD youth are facing challenges. Through our programs, we aim to alleviate these issues by providing job training, mental health support, and disaster preparedness initiatives. Testimonials from participants and case studies highlight the positive impact on individuals and communities, demonstrating the broad public benefit of our work.
By providing young women with access to jobs, mentorship, and disaster preparedness skills, we help communities become stronger, safer, and more inclusive.
Lighting the Path Forward
Girls on Fire is more than just a program—it's a movement empowering young woman to lead, connect, and transform their communities. By providing financial, emotional, and practical support, we are creating a future where regional and remote youth have the opportunities and resources to thrive. Together, we can reduce suffering and build resilient communities for generations to come.
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