Across this nation and around the world, International Women’s Day (IWD) celebrates women’s achievements. It’s a day to press forward and progress gender parity, this year’s theme, #PressforProgress, is a call for everyone to act and be gender inclusive.

Collaborating with the Australian Human Rights Commission, the Government is supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner June Oscar AO to lead a national conversation with Indigenous women and girls to hear their priorities, challenges and aspirations for themselves, their families and their future, giving women and girls around the country a voice. A voice to express their views on securing financial stability and career opportunities. A voice to have views on securing safety in the home and community, and on enjoying the same level of health and wellbeing as their fellow Australians.

In 2018, the Wiyi Yani U Thangani (Women’s Voices): Securing Our Rights, Securing our future project, sees June visiting cities and communities across Australia to elevate the voices of Indigenous women and girls.Community Yarning sessions (consultations) commenced in Mildura and Melbourne on 19 February 2018 and continue this week in Yalata, Ceduna and Adelaide.

Findings from this project will inform government policies and programs, so they better support the needs and aspirations of Indigenous women and girls around Australia.

If you are an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander woman or girl and would like to find out more or get involved, please go to Women’s Voices. If you can’t get to a community event, submissions are also invited online.

For more information read about the Women’s Voices Launch and listen to Commissioner Oscar on CAAMA radio.

NAIDOC week this year will also focus on the role Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and girls play in their communities, with the theme, ‘Because of her, we can!’. This is an opportunity to celebrate the achievements and strength of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander girls and women across the country.