HUNTER VALLEY MARTIAL ARTS CENTRE WOMEN'S EMPOWERMENT PROGRAM

Ms JODIE HARRISON (Charlestown) (20:07): Running over four weeks this month, the Hunter Valley Martial Arts Centre Women's Empowerment Program is aiming to help equip local women with the skills they need to stand strong and realise their potential. Aimed at girls aged 14 and over, the program has four key lessons: finding your strength, finding your power and voice, building trust and intuition, and setting and maintaining boundaries. Program leader Kelie Fisher said:

Women's self defence is more than just physical, it's about the way you carry yourself and being able to use your voice ... It's about allowing people to see who they are and to be strong and connect with other people so they can be the best version of themselves. We want to teach the mental and emotional side of self defence.

The program is free this month in celebration of Mother's Day and is being held at five locations across the Hunter, including at the Redhead centre in my electorate. I wish Sensei Fisher and her team all the best in this important work and thank her for providing this program for women.