Australia
Reduced Inequalities
Australia
For Reduced Inequalities, we travel to Australia following the Wiyi Yani U Thangani Institute for First Nations Gender Justice (from the Bunuba language, English translation: “Women’s Voices”). In May 2023, the inaugural Wiyi Yani U Thangani National Summit brings 900+ First Nations women together (cis, transwomen, and non-binary and gender diverse people) into an arena of decision-making. Wiyi Yani U Thangani began as a project by the Australian Human Rights Commission, and found a permanent home at the Australian National University in April 2024. We’ll attend the 2026 Summit to document first-hand stories about how structural inequalities threaten First Nations women’s wellbeing, education, culture, and ability to thrive. We explore how the Institute uses gender-informed approaches responding to the holistic needs of all women, children, families, and communities, and how they elevate solutions from First Nations women and girls to drive social, economic, and ecological impacts.
"We are elevating the voices of First Nations women and girls to the spaces of decision-making, because what we know matters, and informs meaningful and effective policy and legislation. Our knowledge matters and helps to ensure the health and wellbeing of our children, families, and communities. Together we can overcome discrimination and achieve equality to build a stronger, fairer and more inclusive nation. It is time for First Nations gender justice and equality."
-June Oscar AO, Former Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner, Australian Human Rights Commission
From the Wiyi Yani U Thangani website: “Our vision is for First Nations gender justice and equality in Australia. Led by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner, June Oscar AO, Wiyi Yani U Thangani elevates the voices of First Nations women and girls, knowing that they hold the solutions to drive transformative change.
Wiyi Yani U Thangani provides the evidence that the inequalities experienced by First Nations women and girls are perpetuated and entrenched by mainstream systems and structures that have marginalised the voices of women and girls for generations. First Nations women and girls are clear: we need large-scale structural change to create a world where the unique cultural, social, economic and political rights and interests of First Nations women and girls are realized. We need First Nations gender justice and equality.”
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