Bold, Brave, Beautiful
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- BBB
Bold, Brave & Beautiful (BBB) Young Women's Program
The BBB program was developed through a collaboration between STARTTS and Bossley Park High School (BPHS), a high school in South-West Sydney with a high number of students from refugee backgrounds. Together, BPHS and STARTTS identified the need for a specialised program for young women in Australian high schools, Intensive English Centres, and other education settings.
Both BPHS and STARTTS observed how young women were increasingly exposed to the influence of global social norms around body image and self-confidence, as well as gender-based violence, international conflict and the harmful ideals promoted by mass media. These factors have affected the way young women interact socially, build relationships, seek help, and manage pressures related to appearance, identity, and social roles.
BBB program aims to offer a women-only space where sensitive topics, often considered taboo in public, can be openly discussed. The program aims to build a deeper understanding of the challenges young women face, while providing tools to develop resilience, self-expression, and personal growth.
What do we talk about in BBB?
- Identity and self-image
- Gender Stereotypes
- Sociocultural Equality
- Body Image and Beauty
- Healthy Relationships
- Mental Health
- Women in Leadership
Why do we run BBB with young women? To…
- Safe and supportive environment
- Critically consider gender norms and values in society
- Enhance self-confidence and positive self-image
- Empower women's choice and agency
- Support leadership cultivate
- Advocate for future generations of young women
- Recognise cultural differences and promote acceptance
Other Details
Target Group: Female Secondary Students between 14 and 16 years old (typically year 9 or 10)
Program Delivery:
10 weekly sessions, 80-100 minutes each.
Requirement:
A classroom + may require a field visit/outdoor activity
Designed by:
Collaboration between Bossley Park High School, young people and STARTTS Youth Team
Maximum no. of participants:
15 per group
Inside Scoop
What have young women said about BBB?
“What have you learnt from being involved in the BBB program?”
Knowing about what red flags have helped me as a woman. I know what I want and what I don’t want from all my relationships
Trust and communication especially being comfortable enough with the other person to discuss problems and concerns you have about the relationship.
Respect for each other and being safe. It’s important to be careful of who you’re talking to. And the respect I spoke about has to be earned.
Thank you so much for this fun program, and helping me grow and feel much more confident and find my identity.
I would want my friend to be completely honest with me. So yeah, honesty is a big building block for relationships.
Feeling low and being depressed or anxious are different. It’s small issues versus big problems. When you’re feeling low you just need some time for yourself. Anxiety and depression can be caused by rumours for example. You can have panic attacks and be isolated. In that case you need professional help.
Before I wouldn’t open up about myself. But after this program, I feel more confident to share aspects about myself and my identity with my loved ones. I’m not so closed up anymore.
We had fun and interactive activities, and I learned a lot of life lessons like my rights as a woman.
Thank you for your support and experience, helping me find my identity, who I am as an individual and a woman. I really loved that I got to experience this program with you, my peers and teachers.
“Thank you for your support and experience, helping me find my identity, who I am as an individual and a woman. I really loved that I got to experience this program with you, my peers and teachers"
Young person attending the BBB program, 2025