Afghan Women on the Move supports the health, mental wellbeing, individual growth and development of Afghan and other women of diverse backgrounds in Australia. 

The team a Whitlam Leisure Centre in Liverpool, NSW, have collaborated with the women’s only group to deliver a learn to swim program that commenced in March this year. The learn to swim program at Whitlam is actively supported by Belgravia Foundation, subsidising lessons for participants to assist in removing as many barriers as possible to ensure all participants from Afghan Women on the Move can reap the rewards of learning the life skill of swimming. The learn to swim program runs for 12 weeks with participants learning basic life-saving skills, swimming techniques and key water safety components.  

The collaboration with Afghan Women on the Move originally commenced at Auburn Ruth Everuss Aquatic Centre in November 2022 where a successful 10-week learn to swim program took place with up to 50 women registering to participate.  

At Auburn Ruth Everuss Aquatic Centre, these lessons were held in a curtained swimming pool, with female lifeguards and female learn to swim teachers. Similarly, Whitlam Leisure Centre held the program in a public 25-meters indoor pool, with female learn to swim teachers. 

Many of the women participating in the learn to swim program, lived previously in a land-locked country and did not have an opportunity to learn to swim. The program for Afghan Women on the Move provides a safe, welcoming place for the women’s group to socially connect and distracts them from the trauma they have been through, encouraging the participants to embrace their new life. 

The program attracted NSW Governor, Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC, and featured on Channel 9 News, highlighting the important work Afghan Women on the Move has done for women who have been displaced since the Taliban took over their region and the importance of connecting all to leisure in Australia.

Watch the segment below:

Belgravia Foundation wishes to praise the collaborative approach between Afghan Women on the Move, Auburn Ruth Everuss Aquatic Centre and Whitlam Leisure Centre and are honoured to contribute to 12-week learn to swim program to ensure no one misses out on the opportunity to participate.