Kangaroo Island teenager Sienna Putland aims to tackle gender inequality one island at a time after taking part in the Country to Canberra 2019 Leadership Competition.

The 15-year-old from Parndana met her local Federal MP Rebekha Sharkie in Parliament House last week and told the Member for Mayo she was keen to put the skills she had learned into practice.

“I’m hoping to tell my whole school about what I have learned and how I can help address the gender gap across the Island and Australia,” Sienna says.

“I’m also hoping to set up a discussion group so we can talk about gender equality on the Island.

“Country to Canberra has been such an amazing experience – I never saw myself doing something like this but it’s been really great.

“I’ve learned so much about public speaking and how to project myself in a way that shows I am a strong and confident leader.”

Country to Canberra is a leadership program for young women in regional, rural and remote Australia that includes a trip to the nation’s capital.

During the trip, participants meet inspiring politicians and CEOs, receive leadership and media training, tour Parliament House and attend a Powerful Women’s Breakfast.

The program started in 2014 with the aim of empowering regional women by providing mentorship and skill-building, networking and education opportunities.

Eighteen young women took part in the 2019 leadership competition, including Sienna.

Rebekha Sharkie said Country to Canberra was a worthwhile initiative.

“Young women in rural Australia face greater barriers than their city counterparts so programs like this are important,” Rebekha says.