The Office for Women's Queensland Young Women's Forum was held from 27–29 July at the Edge, State Library of Queensland in Brisbane.
The forum was the first of its kind and brought together 50 young women from diverse backgrounds and from across the state. Young women travelled from Mt Isa to Mareeba, Normanton to Nambour, and from Burketown to Bundaberg to attend.
The forum theme was 'Dream Up' with a focus on encouraging young women to identify their goals and dreams and the resources needed to achieve them.
Some young women were not at school but were keen to recommence their studies and finish grade 12, some wanted to study medicine or a trade, others were passionate about helping other young women locally and overseas get to school.
Despite the differences, there was a lot of common ground, with young women keen to talk about how to balance work and life, representation of women in the media, how to deal with sexism at work, and how to negotiate positive and respectful relationships.
Young women were able to meet and hear the inspiring journeys of women who are working successfully in fields such as law, engineering, plumbing, tiling, business, comedy, media, politics, as well as ABC Ramp Up editor Stella Young, one of Australia's most innovative business leaders Megan Houghton, and the 2010 Young Queenslander of the Year Yassmin Abdel-Magied.
The Office for Women's 'Guide to services for young women in Queensland' was launched, which sets out a range of services and organisations that can assist young women in employment, health, safety, being connected, and more. You order a copy of the guide online, or email info@women.qld.gov.au.
Office for Women staff farewelled the tired but elated young women on Friday afternoon as they returned home.
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