A cohort of young women from YWCA’s Young Women’s Council engaged in a meaningful dialogue with NSW Minister for Women and the Prevention of Domestic and Sexual Assault Jodie Harrison, sharing the challenges faced by young women and gender diverse communities across the country in accessing safe and secure housing.
According to YWCA’s Head of Advocacy and External Affairs, Kate Whittle, if we are serious about creating informed, tailored, and effective housing solutions, young women and gender diverse people must be at the centre of designing them.
Her comments follow a powerful weekend of youth-led policy work, led by YWCA’s Young Women’s Council over two days in Sydney.
“Too often, policy is made about young people, without young people,” said Ms Whittle. “This Council brings firsthand experience, insight, and a vision for policy that leaves no one behind. They’re not speaking hypothetically, they’re speaking from reality.”
The event culminated in direct engagement with senior political leaders, including Minister Jodie Harrison, Charishma Kaliyanda MP, who attended on behalf of the Hon Rose Jackson, NSW Minister for Housing and Youth.
Young Women’s Council member, Claudia Robinson reflected on the event stating that, “The Young Women’s Council Summit reinforced that housing is a human right, not a privilege. As homelessness rates among young women continue to rise, these discussions are essential to driving meaningful, youth-led policy reform. The Summit gave us an opportunity to lead these conversations and push for tangible policy outcomes that advance housing security and gender equality across Australia.”
A major highlight of the summit was Minister Harrison sharing news of a vacancy for a youth position on the NSW Women’s Advisory Council and encouraged young people around New South Wales to apply.
YWCA’s Young Women’s Council made representations to Minister Harrison around what safe housing means for young women and gender-diverse people in NSW and across Australia. The Council also highlighted the importance of integrated service delivery models to support young women and gender-diverse people facing housing insecurity and homelessness who may need access to multiple supports across youth, social services, housing, domestic and family abuse and sexual violence services. Minister Harrison had a keen ear in consultation with YWCA’s Young Women’s Council on a matrix of issues impacting and important to young women and gender-diverse people.
Held at the Song Hotel, YWCA’s Profit for Purpose Hotel, the Summit brought together young leaders from across the country for two days of policy dialogue, advocacy strategy, and campaign-building focused on housing insecurity, homelessness, and gender-based violence.
“The Summit was a demonstration of the value in centring young women’s voices in discussions on housing and gender equality policies which impact our daily lives.” said Bianca Tini Brunozzi, Campaigns and Advocacy Officer at YWCA Australia and coordinator of the Summit.
“The energy, insights, and solutions presented at the Summit reinforces YWCA’s Safe Homes, Equal Futures campaign ask for the establishment of a National Youth Advisory Group to inform housing and homelessness policies,” she said.
The event built on the findings of We’ve Been Robbed, a 2024 report from YWCA and Swinburne University that revealed the disproportionate housing challenges young women face, compounded by insecure work, gender-based violence, and rising costs.
Sessions also explored prevention of domestic and family violence and the impacts of intergenerational inequality, while centring on wellbeing and cultural strength through sessions led by Aunty Dixie Link-Gordon and Yatungka Gordon.
“These young leaders aren’t just the next generation, they’re leading right now,” said Ms Whittle.
“When we listen, collaborate, and back their leadership, we create policy that actually works for the people it’s meant to support.”
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Interviews are available with Kate Whittle.
For interviews, contact Kristie Lin at kristie@fiftyacres.com or Mobile 0485 954 652
About YWCA
YWCA Australia is a leading national not-for-profit organisation that has been championing women’s rights and gender equality for over 140 years. With a presence in 17 locations across the country and over 200 dedicated employees, we deliver a range of services, including affordable housing, homelessness support, and leadership programs. Our purpose is to enable women and gender diverse people to find stability, safety, and security, allowing them to build the future they envision for themselves and their families.
About Kate Whittle – Head of Advocacy and External Affairs
Kate is a legally qualified advocate with deep expertise in government relations, policy development, strategic advocacy, and media strategy. She has successfully influenced policy outcomes and secured meaningful reforms through partnerships with government, not-for-profits, corporates, and peak bodies.
Before joining YWCA Australia, Kate was a senior ministerial advisor and Queensland’s chief advocate for small business. She also founded and led an advisory firm providing political and policy insights to support business strategy.
Kate is an experienced spokesperson, having presented before state and federal parliamentary committees, with her commentary featured in major outlets including The Australian, AFR, ABC, Sky News, and Bloomberg.
She holds a Bachelor of Laws, Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice, and Master of International Studies focused on the ethics of political language. Kate teaches on Australian government and politics as a guest lecturer at the University of Queensland and volunteers at Emmanuel City Mission, a drop-in service for people experiencing homelessness.
Her personal experience growing up in social housing drives her commitment to safe, secure housing for women and gender-diverse people.
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