The Kimberly Aboriginal Women’s Council is hosting a roundtable this week on Yawuru country in Broome.
The two-day roundtable will feature workshops focussing on women’s heath and wellbeing, reliance, sustainability and leadership.
Titled “Think Global – Act Local” the workshops and discussions will also explore how First Nations women can participate in the global gender justice movement, laying the groundworks for an Indigenous Women’s conference to be held in the Kimberly in 2025.
The Kimberly Women’s council was founded in 2021, in response to the Wiyi Yani U Thangani (Women’s Voices) report which was led by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner June Oscar, who will be attending the roundtable.
The report analyses issues facing First Nations women ranging from housing, education and economic participation, and calls for structural change to target systemic racism and sexism.
In a press release, the Kimberley Aboriginal Women’s Council’s chair Janine Dureau, says the roundtable is an important display of self-determination and strength following the failure of the Indigenous Voice referendum.
“No matter the outcome of the referendum, this is the path we were destined to travel.
We have to carve out spaces for our women, our girls, and our families.
Women’s voices must be centred in the decision-making process if we’re truly committed to closing the gap.
The roundtable provides an opportunity to discuss and plan what system reform is from the unique perspective of Kimberley Aboriginal women.”
The roundtable will be held on the 1st and 2nd of November.
Image Credit: Phil Waterhouse Via Wikimedia commons
