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Upholding the tradition of improving women’s safety

SafeWork SA is offering two scholarships, each worth up to $10,000, to continue to advance the safety of women in today’s workplaces, building on the historical legacy of those women who advocated for better conditions both at the workplace and in society more broadly. Source: Timberbiz

Each year, SafeWork SA offers two scholarships for people working on initiatives, practical solutions or research to improve the health and safety of women at work.

These scholarships recognise the legacy of Augusta Zadow, a prominent advocate for women’s suffrage and improved conditions for the women and children working in South Australia’s factories.

Augusta Zadow was a founding member of the Working Women’s Trade Union and was the State’s first Lady Inspector of Factories in 1895, a role that enabled her to establish core safe work requirements.

“More than 120 years ago, Augusta Zadow inspected factories, workshops and dressmaking establishments to promote and protect improved working conditions for women and young children,” said Marie Boland, executive director, SafeWork SA.

“She worked tirelessly to secure better working conditions as well as to progress fair pay for South Australian women.

“Many basic workplace conditions that we now take for granted have come about through the hard won battles by women – like Augusta – who have come before us.

“The scholarships are a fitting way to acknowledge all of these women but especially Augusta Zadow.

“The scholarships build on Augusta’s achievements by funding the ongoing improvement of the health and safety of women at work through further education, research or solutions to a work health and safety issue faced by working women,” Ms Boland said.

Applications are encouraged from people with projects or initiatives that can help make a difference to women’s safety at work.

Past recipients have used their scholarships to: develop a rehabilitation program to return bullied and harassed workers back to meaningful employmentwork with vulnerable female immigrant workers to promote mental health and wellbeing, improve morale and develop coping skills, andraise awareness of the potential impact of workplace hazardous substances on fertility and pregnancy.

Scholarship applications are open and accepted until 27 June.

For more details visit safework.sa.gov.au or call 1300 365 255.