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'Yajilarra' To Dream: Aboriginal Women Leading Change in Remote Australia (2009)

'Yajilarra' To Dream: Aboriginal Women Leading Change in Remote AustraliaYajilarra: to dream - cover image, tree in outback

3 March 2009

Federal Sex Discrimination Commissioner Elizabeth Broderick will be co-hosting an historic side event at this year's 53rd Session of the UN Commission of the Status of Women (CSW) in New York on 4 March.

The side event will launch 'Yajilarra', a powerful, inspiring documentary about the courage and resilience of Aboriginal women in the remote Kimberley region of outback Australia. The side event is the first occasion at which Indigenous women from Australia have presented at CSW.

In 2007 a group of Aboriginal women from the Fitzroy Valley in Australia’s remote northwest decided enough was enough. Their community had experienced 13 suicides in 13 months. Reports of family violence and child abuse were commonplace and alcohol consumption was rising at an alarming rate. Something had to be done. Something had to change. A group of courageous Aboriginal women from across the Valley came together, with the support of many men, to fight for a future. For everyone in their community. The results were inspiring and the healing has now begun.

The side event is being hosted by the Hon. Tanya Plibersek MP, Australian Minister for the Status of Women and Commissioner Broderick. June Oscar, CEO and Emily Carter, Chair, of Marninwarntikura Fitzroy Women's Resource Centre will lead the discussion.

Further information