Our impact
Since the first WOW event in Australia, we have seen:
We change lives through empowering women, girls and non-binary folk
We build stronger more cohesive and inclusive communities of place and people
We change the institutions working with us through improved organisational/institutional gender policies and practices
And more and more we are working to increase the numbers of men and boys engaged with us and actively pursuing gender equality through their professional and personal lives.
Overall, women attending the festival had a very positive experience with 86% rating it excellent or very good and 93.5% being inspired by hearing other women. At the end of the festival 82% felt it definite or highly likely they could make changes to reach their potential. Intercept interviews with women who had been to previous WOW festivals found that there had been a change in their perception about themselves and their world and a sense of capacity to take action.
Evaluation Report WOW Katherine 2016.
WOW brings this culture of care that is really powerful which again is undervalued and under-respected but when it happens it actually changes peoples lives.
Bec Mac, POPSArt
It was a confirmation of the power of women coming together and being strong, resilient people who care about their community and each other. It changes my conversations about how Australian women are tracking from a city centric position to a more holistic perspective.
WOW Longreach participant.
Since 2021 our club members have attended three WOW events and each one brought us into a new space to listen to women’s stories, hear their voices on issues and challenges and to witness the strength and determination that is innate in women and enables them to rise up and overcome so many difficulties…
Sandra McLean - President, Zonta Club of Brisbane Inc
I wanted to say a huge thank you for all the support over the last five years, and for bringing WOW to me and me to WOW. I found a sense of belonging with WOW, I was able to explore parts of myself that I never would have otherwise. Thank you for encouraging me and providing me the platform to do this in a safe space.
Anoushka Dowling, Assistant Director
Griffith University MATE Bystander
The most enduring memory of my time working with WOW Festivals in Brisbane, Charleville and Logan was the sense that it was for a higher purpose. It felt special which is hard to crystallise in words but there was certainly an intangible element to the raison d’etre of the mission.
Michael Jeh, Educator & Speaker
(DV, Racism, Bullying)
I feel that the discussion of the struggles of women of colour is what resonated with me the most. I was honoured and excited to be part of the event as a student and inspired woman.
Student - St James
I spoke with some of the regional women, and especially the young regional women. They were so excited and passionate to be hosting the festival.
One young woman was like a bottle of champagne that you couldn’t keep the cork on. A delight to meet.
WOW Charleville participant