For International Women’s Day 2025 we’re pleased to raise awareness of a Windana program that considers how sex and gender influence clients’ unique needs and preferences – SMART Recovery for Women.

This group-based program welcomes diverse women who wish to change addictive and other unhealthy behaviours relating to drugs, alcohol and more. In SMART groups, women are empowered to build and maintain motivation, cope with cravings, manage thoughts, feelings and behaviours and lead balanced lives. Since SMART is not abstinence-based, it welcomes participants at various stages of their relationship with substances.

It’s often said that the opposite of addiction is connection – and SMART makes this possible.

Windana’s Bayside Manager Pru leads the team who deliver the women’s SMART Recovery group, and says that the SMART principles of mutual aid and self-management create a supportive environment where women can make positive choices, and empower their peers.

“The women’s group is fabulous. It’s a group of women who are really trying to make a change while they support other participants in a safe and encouraging environment.”

Other principles of SMART that inform the group include choice (women choosing their own goals, skills and tools) and being person-centred (where women with lived experience guide the group’s model).

For International Women’s Day 2025, Pru acknowledges the strength and determination of women who engage with SMART Recovery as part of their stories, inspiring other women.

“The women who participate in SMART work hard to make the changes they want to make.”

The official 2025 United Nations International Women’s Day theme is “For ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment.” This is about unlocking equal rights, power and opportunities for all – and empowering girls and young women as catalysts for lasting change.

Windana’s work supports this theme on multiple levels including through our programs and services that place clients at the centre to achieve life-changing impact.

About the group:

Windana’s SMART Recovery Group for women runs at Windana’s Bentleigh site (421 South Road) on Wednesdays, 11:00am to 12:30pm.

We also deliver SMART Recovery groups for all adults in Cranbourne, and for young people in Frankston and Moorabbin. For more information, please click here.

For 24/7 alcohol and other drug referrals and counselling in Victoria, call DirectLine on 1800 888 236 or visit www.directline.org.au.