Blacktown City Council - Media Release - Women Raise Their Voices

21 February 2019

Major issues and challenges facing women in Western

Sydney have been raised at a forum organised by Blacktown 

City Council.

More than 70 people from across Western Sydney attended 

the Women’s Forum 2019, on Tuesday night at Blacktown 

Civic Centre.

Blacktown City Councillor and Chairperson of the Blacktown 

Women’s Advisory Committee, Julie Griffiths said: “The 

forum raised issues including domestic violence, women’s 

health, challenges of aging and gender economic equality in

a workshop setting.

“The forum gave women a voice in setting funding priorities 

and programs for women in Western Sydney,” Councillor 

Griffiths said.

Other issues raised at the forum included; the provision of 

quality women’s health care, transport for the aging 

population and the need for stricter planning controls to 

encourage healthier food options in the region.

Blacktown City Mayor Stephen Bali MP said: “Blacktown City 

Council provides a variety of platforms for the community to 

raise important issues.

“Council’s aim is to constantly improve the lives of women 

and engaging with our wider community is a valuable tool in 

achieving that aim.”

Attendees at the forum included leaders from community 

groups and services across Western Sydney and 

representatives from Penrith, Canterbury-Bankstown and 

Liverpool Councils and Western Sydney Regional 

Organisation of Councils (WSROC).

Outcomes from the forum will be documented and presented 

to Councils, politicians and candidates in Western Sydney to 

lobby for improved services, programs and opportunities for 

women in the region.

More than 70 people attended the inaugural Women’s Forum.

Chief Executive Officer of Nepean Area Disability Organisation (NADO), Denise Heath, facilitated the event and recapped points during the forum.