Two prominent Australian women are stepping up to support women and girls in developing countries as Ambassadors for CARE Australia’s Walk In Her Shoes Challenge.

The Nine Network’s Deborah Knight, and former Winter Olympian and now Health and Wellness expert Steph Prem, will join thousands of Australians in improving their health and fitness by walking 25km, 50km or 100km between 16-22 March.

The Walk In Her Shoes Challenge also reduces the burden of walking faced by women and girls in some of the world’s poorest communities by supporting projects that provide food, water and healthcare closer to communities.

• Deborah Knight is an Australian journalist and newsreader who co-hosts the Nine Network’s Weekend TODAY and also presents Nine’s Financial Review Sunday. As a mother of two young children, Deborah is passionate about women’s empowerment and enabling girls in developing countries to receive an education and earn an income to lift themselves out of poverty.
• Steph Prem is a former Winter Olympian, five time Australian Champion snowboarder and TV presenter. After suffering a major back injury in 2010, Steph overcame adversity and now runs her own Health, Fitness and Pilates Studio in Melbourne and an inspiring health and fitness blog Premium Performance.

CARE Australia CEO, Dr Julia Newton-Howes said CARE was thrilled to have Deborah and Steph on board for the Walk In Her Shoes Challenge.

“We have no doubt that outstanding women like Deborah and Steph will inspire others to get involved in Walk In Her Shoes, replicating the distances that women and girls in some of the world’s poorest countries have to walk every day for food, water and healthcare.”

Nine’s Deborah Knight said that her two children, Darcy and Elsa, were part of her inspiration to become an Ambassador for the Challenge, which is aiming to raise over $1 million for women and girls in some of the world’s poorest communities.

“I’m excited to play a part in encouraging others to participate in the Walk in her Shoes Challenge, and knowing I’ll be helping children as young as my own is a big motivation to walk those extra kilometres!”

Steph Prem shared her excitement at lending her voice to support the Challenge.

“It’s no secret that I’m passionate about health and fitness, and the Walk In Her Shoes Challenge is the perfect opportunity for people to get out and get active while raising money for women and girls living in poverty.”

Since Walk In Her Shoes began in 2011, more than 13,000 Australians have joined the challenge, raising $2.7m to help support programs that reduce the burden of walking faced by women and girls in poor communities. Walk In Her Shoes takes place between 16-22 March 2015. To get involved, visit www.walkinhershoes.org.au.