- Published:
- Tuesday 18 August 2020
The Victorian Government is working with Aboriginal women from across the state to design a culturally safe and community-led leadership program for future Aboriginal women leaders.
Minister for Women and Aboriginal Affairs Gabrielle Williams will today attend the inaugural meeting of the Aboriginal Women’s Leadership Advisory Group, which kicks off work with eight trailblazing women to help pave the way forward on gender quality.
The Government established the program in response to the disproportionately low representation of Aboriginal women in formal leadership positions.
Aboriginal women routinely hold valued roles and responsibilities in families, communities and nations – and it is important that they are also represented in leadership bodies across our state.
The advisory group includes Leanne Miller, Tahlia Biggs, Dr Esme Bamblett, Jill Gallagher, Jaynaya Winmar, Antoinette Braybrook, Kylie Briggs and Judith Ahmat – bringing a wealth of diverse experience across small business, health, advocacy, education, law, family violence prevention and innovation.
The program is led by Karen Milward, a Melbourne-based Yorta Yorta woman who has extensive experience designing and delivering governance and leadership programs for Aboriginal people.
The Government’s Safe and Strong: A Victorian Gender Equality Strategy sets out a path to achieve gender equality by removing barriers that prevent the full participation of women in the economy and community.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Women and Aboriginal Affairs Gabrielle Williams
“This is a strong and powerful group of Aboriginal women who will help pave the way for the next generation of leaders.”
“We know that there is a clear connection between gender inequality and dispossession and that there are intergenerational consequences of a lost connection to land.”
“Empowerment and self-determination play a key role in progressing equality for Aboriginal women – that is what this program is all about.”