Funding boost for charity Be Hers to help at-risk women in Tasmania

A charity supporting at-risk women from ‘shocking’ exploitation and violence has received a financial boost.

Be Hers Founding CEO, Melody Towns, Labor Senator Carol Brown and Be Hers Operations Manager Allison Levinson. Picture: Supplied

Women from refugee, migrant, and multicultural backgrounds in Tasmania are often at heightened risk of exploitation and violence, a major not-for-profit organisation says.

Be Hers operations manager, Allison Levinson said she knew of instances where women were paid as little as $5 an hour for their sewing work.

“It’s shocking,” she said.

“Some of the employers have said ‘well that’s what they would be getting in their own country and at least we’re giving them a job’.

“The skill set of these women is amazing.”

Ms Levinson said some migrant and refugee women were subject to “coercion and control” by their husbands because it was part of their values.

She said Be Hers provided a safe space and “vital support systems to help these women escape cycles of vulnerability” and had helped women get proper paying jobs working in alteration and sewing businesses.

“Our mentorship and community programs are designed not only to empower them but to ensure they have the resources and skills to secure meaningful employment and thrive in a safe and supportive environment,” Ms Levinson said.

Be Hers welcomed funding this week of $300,000 from two federal government grant programs to help at-risk women with mentorship and employment and to strengthen intercultural connections in Hobart through sport, arts, and community activities.

Announcing the funding, Labor Senator Carol Brown said it would “make a real difference in people’s lives”.

“Australia is the most successful multicultural society in the world, and the grants are about strengthening that success by supporting grassroots organisations that bring people together,” Senator Brown said.

“When we invest in grassroots organisations like Be Hers, we invest in the strength and diversity of our society.”

Be Hers founding CEO, Melody Towns, said the funding would help the organisation foster stronger intercultural connections and support women from refugee, migrant, and multicultural backgrounds in Tasmania.

“We believe in the power of community and are thrilled to continue empowering women,” Ms Towns said.

“With the support of the Multicultural Grassroots Initiatives and APMAC Support Projects Grants, Be Hers is looking forward to delivering programs that not only improve women’s access to opportunities but also build lasting, meaningful connections that help create a stronger, more resilient community.”

Originally published as Funding boost for charity Be Hers to help at-risk women in Tasmania