Landmark report - First Nations women and girls

A landmark report on Australia's First Nations women and girls has been released, with an ambitious, female-led plan for structural reform.

Wiyi Yani U Thangani—(Women's Voices)—Securing Our Rights, Securing Our Future Report 2020 is a comprehensive, whole-of-life document and the result of over a hundred engagements with thousands of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and girls of all ages in remote, very remote, regional and urban communities.  The Report calls for the urgent establishment of a National Action Plan, an advisory body and targets and benchmarks for women and girls to lead in all areas of life.

“What we have here today, is not a report for the shelves; it's a call to action. It's a strengths-based message for all Australians to see, to hear, to learn of the remarkable resilience and capabilities of our women and girls, who have the solutions but lack a seat at the table,” said Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner, June Oscar.

“The voices of our women and girls are on every page of this Report. This is their Report.

“When my team and I embarked on this journey, we had no set agenda, no imposed framework.

“We gave Indigenous women and girls the space to say what they wanted, to share their ideas, without fear or favour. That's exactly what they did. My team and I have been moved by the sheer resilience of our First Nations women and girls, who despite ongoing disadvantage across all areas of life, continue to hold their communities and families together.”

Press conference details Thursday 10 December   Media to arrive 0830 for 0845 start Nyoongar Patrol Outreach Service , 35-37 Gladstone St, Perth WA 6000

“To our First Nations women and girls; you have been heard and you will make a difference. And now, it's time to put these recommendations into action, with the second stage of Wiyi Yani U Thangani,” said Ms Oscar.

The Report includes principles to guide change, seven overarching recommendations and a series of priority actions to enable communities to thrive and overcome profound disadvantage. Wiyi Yani U Thangani has been supported by a multi-year partnership with National Indigenous Australians Agency. It is the first national engagement project of its kind since the Women's Business Report in 1986. The Report includes principles to guide change, seven overarching recommendations and a series of priority actions to enable communities to thrive and overcome profound disadvantage.

Wiyi Yani U Thangani report can be found here.

Media contact

Email: media@humanrights.gov.au or phone: 0457 281 897