Wiyi Yani U Thangani Report Elevates the Voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Women

Joint Media Release

The Hon Ken Wyatt AM MP - Minister for Indigenous Australians

Senator the Hon Marise Payne - Minister for Women

The Morrison Government welcomes the Wiyi Yani U Thangani (Women’s Voices) report, which outlines the needs, aspirations, opportunities and challenges of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, children, and their communities.

Since 2017, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner, June Oscar AO, has led a national conversation to engage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and girls on the issues that matter to them. This national conversation engaged 2,300 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and girls in 50 communities across the country.

Minister for Indigenous Australians, the Hon Ken Wyatt AM, MP, said the report brings the diverse and lived realities of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and girls to the fore.

"The Wiyi Yani U Thangani (Women’s Voices) report is a landmark document that highlights the important role of women in the promotion and protection of culture and ensuring positive outcomes across our communities," Minister Wyatt said.

"It provides all Governments a better understanding of the issues that impact the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and girls, and will be used to inform the Government’s future policy direction to bring about improved outcomes for personal, socioeconomic and cultural wellbeing.

"We know that the best outcomes are realised when Indigenous Australians are at the table – working in genuine partnership with government – with shared decision-making, shared responsibility and shared accountability.

"The Government is committed to working with Indigenous Australians, state and territory governments and service providers to ensure that we continue to improve outcomes and address the seven overarching recommendations contained within this report.

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Women, Senator the Hon Marise Payne, said this is the first national report in 34 years where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and girls have been heard together on the issues that matter to them, without restriction.

"It empowers Aboriginal and Torres Islander women and girls, who have told us how we can improve partnerships and support them to achieve their aspirations and further strengthen their communities.

"The report will be translated into a number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages, and English so Indigenous women can use the report as a tool in their own communities to support one another and ultimately drive local change," said Minister Payne.

The Wiyi Yani U Thangani (Women’s Voices) project has been supported by the Australian Human Rights Commission and will now engage communities in additional dialogues regarding key issues identified in the report as well as support future engagement opportunities with government.

The Australian Government has invested $2.97 million in the delivery of the Wiyi Yani U Thangani project, and the National Indigenous Australians Agency supported the Social Justice Commissioner throughout the life of the project.