Victorian women are being encouraged to try something new and get active in all their red-faced, sweaty, jiggly glory as part of VicHealth’s inaugural This Girl Can Week kicking off on Monday 18 March.

This Girl Can Week aims to encourage more women to give physical activity a go or return to exercise after a break.

There will be a range of fun, free or low-cost activities hosted by gyms and sports clubs across the state, tailored to women and girls who want to get active but aren’t sure about how to take the first step.

It aims to build on the momentum created by the highly successful campaign which launched in March last year and inspired 1 in 7 Victorian women to get moving in 2018.

The campaign features everyday Victorian women instead of professional athletes or airbrushed Instagram models and is about empowering women to feel comfortable in their bodies and in public spaces – regardless of their ability, how they look or how sweaty they get.

Minister for Health Jenny Mikakos said: “This initiative is all about encouraging women to smash antiquated stereotypes about what they can or can’t do in the gym, on the sporting field and in our neighbourhoods – it’s long overdue and it’s having a massive impact.”

“Women and girls have great role models to look up to – but you don’t have to be an AFLW star or a marathon runner to make the most of a healthy and active lifestyle”.

VicHealth CEO Jerril Rechter said This Girl Can Week was about empowering everyday women to get active in their local community without feeling judged.

She said: “We want all women – no matter how sweaty they get, how red their face is or how good they are – to feel comfortable about getting out there and giving physical activity a go.

“We’ve heard so many stories from women who’ve got up the courage and made the effort to go to the gym or sports club but they don’t make it in the door because they worry people will think they’re too fat or too slow or too uncoordinated.

“We want these women to know that we get it. Rocking up to a gym class or training session is tough when you don’t know what to expect.