Media Release by The Hon Jenny Macklin MP

New leadership opportunities for women across the NT

Joint Media Release with:

  • Hon. Kate Ellis MP, Minister for the Status of Women

Indigenous women across the Northern Territory will be further supported to take the lead on addressing family violence in their communities with a $500,000 investment from the Australian Government.

The Minister for the Status of Women Kate Ellis announced the new funding today, after meeting with Indigenous women living in Alice Springs to discuss the Government’s National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children.

“The Australian Government recognises the need to support Indigenous women who want to develop their leadership roles to take a stronger role in working together with their communities for a better future,” Ms Ellis said.

“As part of our National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children, we will be supporting five organisations in Darwin, Alice Springs, Tennant Creek, and Yuendumu, to empower Indigenous women and give them the leadership skills they need to be a strong voice against family violence.

The new funding will support:

  • Julalilkari in Tennant Creek, to help engage young Indigenous women with a range of events that build leadership skills including mentoring from older women in the community and women’s only camps.
  • The Darwin Regional Community Development Employment, to support young women from Darwin’s seven town camps to attend three key Northern Australian Cultural Festivals, giving them the chance to network with each other and share experiences.
  • The Yuendumu Women’s Centre, to help the Centre to engage with local women and give them the skills they need to help them combat the many health and abuse issues in the community
  • The Ngaanyatjarra Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Women’s Council, to support the Kungka Career Conference, creating positive pathways for Indigenous young women in rural and regional communities to engage in education, employment and training.
  • The Central Australian Aboriginal Strong Women’s Alliance, to establish a peak representative body of Indigenous women and give a voice to women living in the Alice Springs community.

Ms Macklin said that the Australian Government was proud to support these community organisations in providing Indigenous women of the Northern Territory with every opportunity to develop their leadership skills for a better for all.

“Statistics show that one in three women has experienced physical violence since the age of 15 and almost one in five has experienced sexual violence,” Ms Macklin said.

“Sadly the story is even worse in Indigenous communities, with Indigenous women and girls are 35 times more likely to be hospitalised due to family violence assaults than non-Indigenous women.”

“We need to turn the harrowing statistics around so that all Australian women, no matter where they live and no matter what their culture, are able to lead lives that are safe and free from violence,” Ms Ellis said.

For more information on the National Plan visit: http://www.fahcsia.gov.au/our-responsibilities/women/publications-articles/reducing-violence/national-plan-to-reduce-violence-against-women-and-their-children/national-plan-to-reduce-violence-against-women-and-their-children