Local registered nurse Nadine recalls not having a strong female mentor to support and guide her through the challenges of life when she was growing up. So, when she came across a social media post last year from Fearless Women, which invited Canberra women to become what she had always wished for herself, Nadine didn’t hesitate. “I thought, why not!” she said. “It’s an easy thing to do. My own girls are now adults, so I can hopefully provide something valuable to a young person.”

Nadine was among the fourth, which now totals six cohorts, each consisting of 15 female mentors for 15 female Canberrans. This flagship mentor program launched in July 2022 and is offered to girls and young women in the Canberra region aged between 10 and 25 who are struggling with life’s challenges. There are currently 81 mentors and mentees in the program, with a waiting list of 143.

CEO Glenda Stevens says that the establishment of Fearless Women and its mentor program was informed by research conducted by the Australian National University (ANU), Mission Australia and the YWCA in 2018 which showed that girls and young women in the ACT feel overwhelmed, stressed and uncertain about their future.

“60% of young women in the ACT are concerned about coping with stress compared to 30% of males; 42% report thinking about self-harm at age 14-15, or 16-17 compared with 18% of boys and 59% are concerned about their mental health compared with 25% of young men. 52% are also concerned about their body image compared with just 15% for males”, she says.

Despite this obvious need, more support was available to young men in Canberra via organisations such as Menslink, than to young girls and women. Stevens was engaged to help establish Fearless Women, to help redress this gap. She acknowledges with gratitude the incredible support of Menslink, in both establishing Fearless Women and providing ongoing resources, support and guidance.

Asked whether Canberra has unique features driving this need, Stevens believes it does. And this is also based on the ANU research which found that teenage girls in the ACT have the highest rates of psychological distress in the country. “The unique set of factors contributing to this are our highly mobile population; our highly educated population; and the college system. And that most people in Canberra come from elsewhere. So, there’s not a lot of extended family around to support young people”, she says.

Today is International Women’s Day, and yesterday, Glenda Stevens was awarded the ACT Senior Woman award at the 2024 ACT Women’s awards for her commitment to the young women of the ACT. “I am honoured and humbled to accept this award. It demonstrates the importance of investing in women, collectively forging women’s equality. When we are inspired, there is courage, belonging and empowerment”, says Stevens.

So how does it work?

Mentors must submit a detailed application form and are then screened and interviewed. If accepted into the program, they then participate in one evening and one full day of training, (followed up by quarterly professional development sessions) and are subsequently matched with a mentee with whom they have most in common. “Our mentors have lived experience which is of great value to the mentees”, says Stevens.

Mentees can self-refer (with parental or guardian consent if under 18), or are referred by schools, counsellors, doctors, ACT agencies and more. However, it is not necessary to have a formal referral to access the program.

Once matched, the mentors and mentees embark on a two-year relationship which allows for the building of trust, rapport and connection. They meet twice a month formally; with two hours a month in small group sessions at the Fearless Women premises and two hours individually with their mentors.

Nadine loves these individual sessions with her 12-year-old mentee. Particularly on the drives to wherever they are going for an activity. “Just knowing that she is happy to connect with me and tell me anything and everything she does, is something I didn’t expect. I really like that she trusts me to share that info with me. We have some great conversations”, she says.

Does it make a difference?

According to their feedback, 100% of mentee parents see positive changes in their daughters. And as an indirect benefit, Nadine reports that she has found an additional ‘tribe’ of likeminded women who support and champion each other in their quest to support their mentees, as well as in life general. “We chat amongst ourselves, talk about our challenges, and yes, support each other. It’s also a lot of fun!” she says.

How is Fearless Women Funded?

Stevens reports that “Fearless Women is largely funded by the good people of Canberra”, either personally or via the generous support of local foundations and grants via organisations such as Hands Across Canberra. To date, despite the increasing number of referrals from ACT agencies who recognise the value of the Fearless Women programs (which also include education programs offered to school across the ACT free of charge), Fearless Women have yet to receive any ACT Government funding. Something which Canberra Liberals leader Elizabeth Lee vowed yesterday to rectify if the Liberals are elected, with an $875,000 grant over four years.

Fearless Women will also be required to vacate their premises at the end of this year due to building demolition, and so will also be looking for a new home.

How can you become a mentor?

What does Nadine have to say to other ACT women who may be looking for a valuable contribution to make to the next generation?

“Well, I’d say do it. Because it is has the potential to change a young person’s life. During my interview, one of the questions was, ‘Did you ever have a mentor in your life?’ and I didn’t, like I could not think of someone. I never had that personal connection when I was younger, that I could just go to or that could be there. Someone you know, rooting for me, and wanting me to do well,” she says.

So, this International Women’s Day, if you have lived through your teenage years and young adulthood, with all its inherent challenges, traumas, pains and pressures, and you are still here…there is likely a younger you out there waiting for someone to be her champion.

Head here now for more information or to register your interest.

It’s clear that she needs you.