SwimHER – Breaking Barriers in an Aquatic Education for CALD Women

SwimHER - Breaking Barriers in an Aquatic Education for CALD Women

Abstract

Drowning remains a critical public health issue in Australia, with women from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) backgrounds facing disproportionate risks due to cultural, financial, and accessibility barriers to swimming education. SwimHER, an innovative 10-week learn-to-swim and water safety program, directly addresses these challenges. This paper explores the program's impact, the need for culturally inclusive aquatic programs, the program’s expansion through collaborative efforts, the role of CALD media in spreading the messages, its broader impacts on community awareness and participation and its alignment with key industry and public health priorities.

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1. Introduction:

Australia’s aquatic industry has long recognised the need for inclusivity, yet CALD women remain one of the most underrepresented groups in formal swim education. Royal Life Saving Australia’s (RLSA) 2024 Drowning Report states that individuals from CALD backgrounds are overrepresented in drowning statistics, with 25% of drownings occurring in people born overseas. People from disadvantaged and regional areas experienced higher drowning rates than those from more advantaged regions, particularly among children aged 5–14 years.

World Health Organization's (WHO) Global Status Report on Drowning Prevention 2024 states over 300,000 individuals worldwide lost their lives to drowning in 2021. ABS data reveals over 30% of the population in NSW was born overseas and cultural and language differences remain significant factors influencing participation in various activities, including community programs such as swimming. With evidence like this, the urgency for targeted intervention is clear.

SwimHER, launched by Impowerful with the support of Multicultural NSW, provides a fully subsidised, culturally sensitive program to bridge this gap.

2. Program Design and Implementation:

SwimHER is structured to address the unique barriers faced by CALD women:

Safe and Inclusive Environment: Sessions are held in private, female-only pools with qualified female instructors to ensure cultural comfort.
Financial Accessibility: The program is fully subsidised, including free swim gear and translated water safety resources.
Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals: The program collaborates with various sponsors, businesses, and media outlets, fostering partnerships that enhance community awareness and support the achievement of these goals.

By addressing these SDGs, SwimHER not only enhances individual safety but also contributes to broader societal benefits, including health promotion, gender equality, social inclusion, and community resilience.

3. Impact and Outcomes:

Since its inception, SwimHER has seen overwhelming demand, with registration exceeding capacity by 500% within hours of opening. This response underscores the unmet need for culturally inclusive programs. Participants should report increased confidence in water, improved safety awareness, and greater engagement in community aquatic activities.

Beyond individual benefits, SwimHER contributes to broader industry goals by:

Supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Advancing health, gender equality, and education through accessible aquatic learning.
Workforce Development: Introducing CALD women to potential careers in the aquatic sector through pathways in swim teaching and water safety advocacy.
Community Engagement: Creating ripple effects by empowering women to educate their families and peers on water safety.

4. United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

The SwimHER program aligns with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), notably:

Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being: By promoting water safety and teaching swimming skills, SwimHER reduces the risk of drowning and water-related injuries, contributing to improved health outcomes in the community.
Goal 5: Gender Equality: The program empowers women from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) backgrounds by providing them with access to swimming education, addressing gender disparities in aquatic participation.
Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities: SwimHER specifically targets marginalized groups, ensuring inclusive access to water safety education and helping to reduce inequalities within the community.

5. Collaborative Expansion and Industry Engagement:

The success of SwimHER has attracted support from various sponsors, businesses, and media outlets, significantly raising community awareness. Collaborations with industry bodies such as SWIM Australia, AUSTSWIM, and Lifesaving NSW have facilitated strategic messaging and resource sharing. Engaging additional swim schools has expanded program capacity by 60%, demonstrating the effectiveness of a collaborative approach in addressing public health concerns.

6. Generational Change Impact:

The SwimHER program has significantly influenced generational change within Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communities by empowering women to become advocates for water safety and swimming education. Participants are often encouraging their mothers, aunts, and other family members to engage in aquatic learning, fostering a culture of water safety that spans generations. This intergenerational involvement not only enhances individual skills but also strengthens community ties and promotes a collective commitment to drowning prevention.

7. Media Influence and Community Awareness:

Coverage from CALD-focused media has been instrumental in reaching diverse audiences, ensuring that culturally relevant information about SwimHER resonates within target communities. This media engagement has not only increased program visibility but also empowered CALD women by showcasing relatable success stories, thereby encouraging broader participation.

8. Challenges and Future Directions:

While SwimHER has achieved early success, challenges remain in scaling the program to meet demand. Funding constraints, availability of female-only pool facilities, and sustaining long-term engagement are key considerations. Moving forward, industry collaboration and government support will be crucial in expanding SwimHER to more communities.

9. Conclusion:

SwimHER represents a groundbreaking step toward inclusivity in the aquatic industry, demonstrating the impact of culturally responsive programming. As drowning prevention remains a national priority, initiatives like SwimHER serve as a model for expanding water safety education to high-risk communities, ultimately fostering a safer and more diverse aquatic landscape in Australia.