Commonwealth Games Australia (CGA) celebrates International Women’s Day, selecting successful recipients for its Empowering Women Initiative.  

The annual initiative helps support women and girls in Oceania, by committing $20,000 AUD to assist programs that uplift and enhance gender equality. 

With six strong applications from nations in the area, two will be receiving $10,000 AUD each to help their proposed programs and drive change for their nations. 

The Fiji Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee will be awarded for their submission titled ‘Developing Fiji’s Next Generation of Aquatic Leaders’, developed by Sharon Smith, Swimming Performance Coach. 

This program aims to deliver the Australian recognised AUSTSWIM certification to female swimming instructors and coaches across Fiji, with hopes to further develop and support the female coaching workforce.  

The funding will assist with the financial barriers related to running the certification, while providing professional development for female leaders in the country. 

“I’m incredibly grateful to Commonwealth Games Australia for this support,” Smith said.  

“Swimming is such a vital life skill in Fiji, and by empowering more qualified female coaches, we’re helping keep our communities safer in and around the water. 

“When women lead in coaching, more girls stay in sport. I truly believe this initiative will strengthen aquatic sport in Fiji and create visible role models for the next generation.” 

Papua New Guinea Commonwealth Games Association are also recipients of this initiative, with their submission, ‘Building Leadership for Safe Highlands Communities for Women & Girls’ by Alurigo Ravusiro, Education, Learning and Training Coordinator.  

The initiative will deliver sport education programs that integrate gender equity and inclusivity activities, aimed at encouraging women to take on leadership roles in administration, as well as coaching roles in leadership programs, while also delivering a workshop to address current issues affecting women and girls. 

“This initiative is about more than sport. It is about changing attitudes, strengthening leadership, and empowering communities to take collective responsibility for the safety and wellbeing of women and girls particularly in the Enga and Central Provinces,” Ravusiro said. 

“Sport has the power to unite people and drive change. We believe this program will create lasting impact by building local role models and inspiring communities across Papua New Guinea to support gender equality.”  

CGA CEO, Craig Phillips AM, congratulated the successful applicants, stating the importance of continuing to support the Oceania region through development opportunities. 

“Celebrating the Empowering Women Initiative is another meaningful step towards encouraging women and girls in the Oceania region,” Phillips said.  

“These projects align strongly with CGA in promoting inclusivity and gender equality through sports and community engagement, and we wish the best for the delivery of these initiatives.”  

The Empowering Women Initiative returns in 2026 for its third year and will continue as an annual commitment by CGA to increase access and opportunities for women in sport across the Oceania region.  

The application window for 2027 will open in the first quarter of 2027 with submissions closing before the end of February.