Indigenous Business Australia and the federal government have delivered $2.7 million of funding to social enterprises run by First Nations women.
Launched in January 2023, Indigenous Business Australia (IBA) established and worked with 23 First Nations social enterprises over 16 months, with outcomes specifically for women, girls and sistergirls.
The partnerships which supported 560 First Nations female participants saw the delivery of a range of programs including assisting Indigenous women and girls to prepare for employment or start or grow their businesses.
Around 21 per cent of the programs were delivered in very remote and 14 per cent in remote locations across Australia.
The programs included business development, financial literacy, well-being, and upskilling/training.
One of the 28 initiatives involved First Nations women confronted with the impact of lateral violence.
Proud Woolwonga and Kukatj woman Lateesha Jeffrey created the 'Lateral Empowerment' program delivered through her business, Wave of Change Consultancy.
Working with women and girls from 14 remote locations from Tennant Creek, and Groote Eylandt to Galiwin'ku, Lateesha and her team gave them reflective tools to deal with lateral violence and inspire and uplift one another.
Raised on Larrakia and Yolngu land, Ms Jeffrey has had firsthand experience and knowledge about the devastating impact of lateral violence on First Nations people and communities.
"Participants are provided the safe space to practice reflection, whilst also empowering responsibility and accountability towards changing the negative narrative, instilling principles of lateral empowerment for future generations," she said.
"The power of this program is that by capturing what makes the participants feel safe to connect, share and learn, we created a ripple effect because the women understood how to support and uplift others within their community to eventually stop lateral violence altogether."
IBA director of community and customer experience and Southern Arrernte woman, Stella de Cos said the partnerships and program resulted in positive change for First Nations women around the country.
"These partnerships brought an amazing opportunity for First Nations female entrepreneurs and female-led community organisations to continue to innovate and solve economic safety issues facing First Nations women and their communities," she said.
"Women are the strongest pillars of many of our First Nations communities. Empowering them builds opportunities to continue the positive impact and the change they drive."