Early insights from a NSW Country Women's Association survey showed housing, health, and safety as the top priorities amongst members.

Findings from the survey that began in August will help inform the CWA what their top priorities will be in the coming years.

"This is the first survey of this kind that we have done, and it’s great to see the level of interest it’s attracted," CWA NSW president Joy Beames said. 

The survey will create the benchmark for the organisation's planning and strategy and will be undertaken annually.

Secretary of the Coonamble CWA branch Amanda Colwell said all members can provide input. "The insight gained from the information is a snapshot of what is important to all women and families and what is vital to forming the direction of CWA and our role as advocates to the government and non-government bodies." 

CWA NSW started the survey because they felt it was the right time to launch their own inquiry into what the needs of women in NSW are and how to best support them.

Issues at front-and-centre for 1,300 respondents thus far include health and access to health care, personal safety and housing affordability.

Many respondents also said that affordable childcare and flexible work arrangements along with training and mentorship would improve women's socio-economic status. 

"Priorities will be different for the ages and stages of the individual so this opportunity to gather thoughts and feelings from as diverse a base as possible will benefit everyone," Ms Colwell said. 

On the topic of health, the greatest areas of concern among respondents were the lack of access to specialised care providers, affordability, and gender-based violence and harassment. 

Domestic and family violence was also the focus of the CWA's annual awareness week which ran from 1 to 7 September. 

“Across the week we heard so many stories of violence, coercion, and intimidation, so we hope the survey provides another avenue for women to have a voice on this issue and feel like they’re taking back even a small measure of control. We want to assure them we’re listening, and we’ll ensure our policy-makers hear them as well," Ms Beames said. 

The full survey can be found here and is open until 31 October.