There is a lot of life admin to consider at the beginning of a year and deciding on your car insurance is usually at the top of the list. It’s money that many of us need to spend – so why not spend it somewhere that will also give back to those in need?
Stella Insurance was created by women, for women, so it makes sense that the company is now also supporting women in crisis. They’ve just announced an ongoing partnership with the Women’s and Girls Emergency Centre (WAGEC), with $5 from every new car insurance policy going toward WAGEC’s Donations Program.
Based in Sydney, NSW, WAGEC exists to help women and families escaping domestic violence, homelessness and systemic disadvantage. They provide everything from material aid through to case management, and also work with the broader community and private and public entities to address the underlying causes of gender inequality so that together, we can put an end to gender-based violence.
“Supporting women and families means we work alongside our clients to help them find longer term housing, rebuild confidence and well-being, recover from trauma and access work and study opportunities through case management, mentoring, targeted programs for children and young people and in-house psychological support,” WAGEC CEO Helen Waters Silvia told Now To Love.
“Support looks different for every woman and family, and WAGEC works from a strengths-based, trauma informed and holistic lens to create safe futures free of violence.”
WAGEC’s work is crucial for so many women. The Australian Bureau of Statistics have said that their 2016 Personal Safety Survey estimates 2.2 million adults have been victims of physical and/or sexual violence from a partner since the age of 15. These numbers also skew heavily towards women and children, and have likely increased. During the COVID-19 pandemic, domestic and family violence spiked again so there has never been a better time to support organisations doing the hard work in this space.
When WAGEC client Amar* sought shelter at the WAGEC, all she had was a small bag and a suitcase. “As soon as I walked in, a worker asked me if I would like something to eat and if I needed any toiletries or clothes,” she said.
“I had expected to walk in and begin filling out paperwork but when she asked about these smaller things it just made me slow down and realise that someone cared about my needs as a person not just as a box to tick. It was the woman at the Redfern office that made me feel less scared about what I needed to do next.”
“The essential items that our community provides through our donations program are a small but meaningful way to support women and families with material aid. Items given through WAGEC’s donations program can help to restore dignity and choice during challenging times,” added Waters Silvia.
The move to support WAGEC is very much in line with Stella Insurance’s vision and mission as a business – the company is passionately pro-women, and aims to empower and support female drivers (we make up 52 per cent of road users, did you know?) within an industry that traditionally has been very masculine.
“As a conscious business, Stella has a vision to change the game for women by striving for equality and empowering women,” Stella’s General Manager, Renee Cosgrave, told NTL. “We felt that the only way we can help drive change beyond insurance was to use our profits for good to be able to help change the lives of other women.”
To learn more about WAGEC, find some more info here, and if you’re interested in picking up some car insurance at Stella, head to their site here.
*name has been changed for privacy.
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**Normal underwriting terms and conditions apply. Any advice provided is general only and has been prepared without taking into account your objectives, financial situation or needs and may not be right for you. To decide if this product is right for you, please read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and the Target Market Determination (TMD) available at stellainsurance.com.au. Stella Underwriting Pty Ltd (ABN 72 633 811 319) is an Authorised Representative (AR 001282046) of Allstate Insurance Pty Ltd (ABN 82 073 267 053, AFSL 239010) which is acting (under its own AFSL) on behalf of the product issuer, QBE Insurance (Australia) Limited (ABN 78 003 191 035, AFSL 239545).
