YWCA Canberra

YWCA Canberra YWCA Canberra is a feminist not-for-profit organisation that represents women's issues in Canberra.

Through our national Member Association, YWCA Australia, we are part of the World YWCA network, which connects 125 countries across the globe. Our rich history of supporting women and girls in Canberra through the Great Depression, the Second World War, and the rapid social and cultural changes Canberra has experienced in recent years, continues to inform and influence our work. Today we provide q

uality, innovative services for women, girls and families in the ACT and surrounding regions. We work in the areas of children’s services, community development, housing, youth services, personal and professional training (RTO 1373), women’s leadership and advocacy. As a membership-based, non-religious organisation, we encourage the participation of people of all cultures, beliefs and ages in our movement. Strengthened by diversity, we welcome members who are committed to recognising and celebrating the value of every human being.

Have a wonderful long weekend, everyone! We hope you get to rest, recharge, and spend some time doing what you love.A th...
05/06/2026

Have a wonderful long weekend, everyone! We hope you get to rest, recharge, and spend some time doing what you love.

A thank you too to those in essential services who'll be keeping things running.

At YWCA Canberra, strong governance is the foundation of everything we do. As one of Canberra's major private employers ...
05/06/2026

At YWCA Canberra, strong governance is the foundation of everything we do. As one of Canberra's major private employers - sitting outside of government - we take our responsibilities seriously, not just to girls and women, families and communities we serve, but to the future of our city and our planet.

We are proud to invest through Westpac's Green Tailored Term Deposit, a product certified under the Climate Bonds Standard. This certification provides independent assurance that our investment is directed toward environmentally sustainable activities aligned with the goals of the Paris Agreement and a net zero future.

This is not just a financial decision. It is a reflection of our values. As an organisation committed to gender equity and social justice, we understand that climate change disproportionately affects women and marginalised communities. Choosing climate-aligned investments is a natural extension of our mission.

Our use of the Green Tailored Term Deposit is one part of a broader, ongoing commitment to Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) principles and ensures that the way we manage our organisation reflects the world we are working to build.

At YWCA Canberra, we invest sustainably because we believe in a sustainable future for girls, women and for generations to come.

04/06/2026

Did you know you might be about to receive an AusAlert test alarm?

For those experiencing family, domestic and sexual violence here are some steps you can take to minimise the impact of testing.

Something big is blooming and we couldn't be more excited to share it with you! Floriade - Canberra Flower Festival Grea...
02/06/2026

Something big is blooming and we couldn't be more excited to share it with you!

Floriade - Canberra Flower Festival Great Big Bulb Dig is officially returning on Monday, 12 October 2026, and for another year, YWCA Canberra is proud to announce that we have been named the official Great Big Bulb Dig charity partner by Allhomes. YWCA Canberra's Cara Jacobs was thrilled to join Allhomes Head of Marketing, Bree Baguley and Chief Minister Andrew Bar at the Floriade media launch held at The Canberra and Region Visitors Centre to announce the partnership.

This much-loved Canberra tradition marks the end of Floriade by inviting our community to head down to Commonwealth Park and take home a piece of the festival's floral magic. Every single dollar raised goes directly to YHomes our housing development program providing safe, affordable housing for women and children experiencing homelessness and/or escaping domestic violence. We cannot emphasise enough how much this support makes a vital difference to work we do. Allhomes partnering with YHomes just makes sense.
Stay tuned for more regarding The Great Big Bulb Dig and huge thanks to Allhomes and Events ACT.

Happy Pride Month! Over 45 years ago, the first Pride march in Australia took place on 24 June 1978. What began as a dem...
02/06/2026

Happy Pride Month!

Over 45 years ago, the first Pride march in Australia took place on 24 June 1978. What began as a demonstration to celebrate and advocate for gay and le***an rights ended with a violent police response, resulting in 53 arrests. This sparked public outcry, drew national attention, and helped establish the Mardi Gras Parade as an annual event.

At YWCA Canberra, we proudly continue this legacy of supporting LGBTQIA+ communities through initiatives like the LGBTQIA+ Prom, which has provided a safe and accessible night of celebration for more than 1,600 people over the past ten years.

Through our A–Z Social Support Group at Mura Lanyon Youth and Community Centre, we offer a welcoming weekly drop-in space for LGBTQIA+ young people to connect and build community.

Initiatives like Crystal Q***r involve partnering with local schools to support students to foster safer, inclusive, respectful learning environments.

Pride grew from protest. Today, YWCA Canberra continues to invest in the safety and inclusion of LGBTQIA+ people and communities.

YWCA Canberra's services will be closed on Monday, 1 June in observance of Reconciliation Day.On this day, we encourage ...
29/05/2026

YWCA Canberra's services will be closed on Monday, 1 June in observance of Reconciliation Day.

On this day, we encourage our community to reflect on our shared histories and to continue the journey toward genuine reconciliation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

YWCA Canberra has long advocated for a foundational, long-term strategy to end domestic, family, and sexual violence in ...
29/05/2026

YWCA Canberra has long advocated for a foundational, long-term strategy to end domestic, family, and sexual violence in the ACT. The release of the ACT DFSV Strategy 2026–2036 is an important step toward a coordinated response that puts victim-survivors first.

We previously warned that without an overarching strategy, the ACT’s DFSV response risked remaining fragmented, amounting to disconnected thought bubbles. YWCA Canberra has played a supporting role in drafting and refining this strategy.

The Strategy and First Action Plan were key recommendations, of the Auditor General, to promote accountability of the Safer Families Levy.

We welcome improved accountability from the government, shared accountability with frontline service providers, and look forward to seeing measurable change.

Today marks a significant step toward addressing family, domestic, and sexual violence in the ACT. Coercive control is a...
28/05/2026

Today marks a significant step toward addressing family, domestic, and sexual violence in the ACT.

Coercive control is a form of violence that can include physical and non-physical abuse, including financial and psychological harm, used to control, punish or frighten another person. It is not currently a standalone offence in the ACT, yet it is inextricably linked to domestic and family violence.

We have consistently advocated for stronger recognition of coercive control and has contributed to consultation for some years. We were members of the advisory group informing this legislation.

Criminalisation alone is not the solution; the effectiveness of this reform will depend on implementation.

Ongoing investment in specialist training and education for police, courts and frontline services is essential to ensure coercive control is recognised, understood and responded to effectively.

We are grateful to the Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence, Dr Marisa Paterson MLA, honouring her commitment to introduce legislation to criminalise coercive control by mid-2026.

After almost two years with YWCA Canberra, we're bidding a fond farewell to our Digital Marketing and Content Producer, ...
28/05/2026

After almost two years with YWCA Canberra, we're bidding a fond farewell to our Digital Marketing and Content Producer, Eugene.

As the primary graphic designer of the organisation, Kiko (as we like to call him) has played an integral role in shaping YWCA Canberra's visual communications and branding. If you’ve ever scrolled through YWCA Canberra's Instagram, checked out our Facebook, or peeked at our LinkedIn - you've most definitely encountered his incredible work.

Some of his high-profile projects with us include the branding and visual content for the Our Lives Survey, the past and upcoming themes of the She Leads Conference and our meticulously crafted Annual Report. Beyond his designing remit, Kiko has also played an active part in our social media management and webpage designs.

While we're sad to see him go, we're excited for what lies ahead for Eugene and wish him the very best for what's to come (and for all the trading card competitions that he has lined up for the year!).

Eugene, thank you for everything. We're extremely grateful for all your help - you will be missed!

Family and domestic violence is the leading cause of homelessness in Australia - and 75% of specialist homelessness clie...
27/05/2026

Family and domestic violence is the leading cause of homelessness in Australia - and 75% of specialist homelessness clients who have experienced it are female.
Older women are also the fastest-growing cohort experiencing homelessness. For many, it follows divorce, widowhood, or decades of lower wages and broken superannuation. It is a crack that has been widening through years of structural inequality.

YHomes acquires property so women have access to safe, long-term housing. This EOFY, we're raising $40,000 to buy a two-bedroom apartment for a woman in need. Every dollar is tax deductible. Get involved through a team fundraiser, company contribution, or general donation.

Learn more here: https://bit.ly/YHOMES26

Address

Level 2, 71 Northbourne Avenue
Canberra, ACT
2601

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 5pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 5pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 5pm
Thursday 8:30am - 5pm
Friday 8:30am - 5pm

Telephone

+61261852000

Website

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