Ms Goward, who also is Minister for Prevention of Domestic Violence, was keynote speaker at the well-attended launch in Parramatta RSL Club on March 18.
Both she and Defence Minister Marise Payne are ambassadors for the group started by “strategic connector” Amanda Rose, who runs the organisation with businesswoman Maria Kovacic with a board of other influential women
Amanda Rose drew grasps from the audience of women from all walks of life - and a few men including Parramatta State MP Geoff Lee - when she revealed that 79 per cent of women surveyed by WSW named domestic violence as their number one concern.
“The survey showed that the further west women lived, the greater the concern over domestic violence,” Ms Rose said.
“We will make sure that figure drops by looking at what counselling services or supportive speakers are needed in those areas.”
Both Ms Rose and Ms Goward said that education and economic independence were keys to freedom for women - especially freedom from the threat of domestic violence.
Ms Goward said women should be encouraged to enter trades, as that would help close the gender pay gap, and that women should have confidence to take on whatever job they felt qualified to fill.
They also needed to take risks in their own businesses, such as “risking the house” if they wanted to move beyond being a cottage industry.
"Women need more confidence, need to stop saying sorry, and have to pick themselves up after making a mistake,” she said.
“And if you don’t have confidence to start with, fake it until you make it. That’s what I did.”
Survey of 560 western women
● 79pc concerned about domestic violence.
● 77pc about cost of living.
● 65pc employment opportunities.
● 52 pc childcare affordability.
● 52 pc were unhappy.
● 10 pc extremely happy.
Next event on surviving toxic relationships on May 24. Have a voice at
