YWCA is a feminist organisation committed to building a future where women and girls are safe, equal, respected and empowered. 

Cassandra Velinos said there are regional offices across Victoria, but there was no representation in the Wimmera. She hoped to attract enough interest to form an inaugural group. 

“All rural women need their voice heard and represented at the YWCA,” she said. “For this reason, we’re hosting a video link-in for women to attend the first YWCA annual general meeting. I intend to strengthen and support a Wimmera network with locally held meetings and events.”    

Ms Velinos said the YWCA was a global membership movement of young women who have been leading social and economic change in 125 countries for over 150 years.

She said the YWCA has been at the forefront of raising the status of women and the region should be among the groups leading this change. 

“The YWCA of Australia is a women-led organisation that achieves positive change by providing advocacy, programs and services for women, families and communities,” she said. “They deliver programs, workshops, skill development and critical community services and resources.” 

While the group was founded in Christian faith, she said the organisation is now a non-religious group that is open to people of all faiths, backgrounds, genders and sexuality.

Ms Velinos has organised a meeting for 11am at the Centre for Participation on Saturday.

She asked people to RSVP their interest by contacting her on 0415 187 046 or cassandravelinos@gmail.com. 

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