Case study 2:
Women and girls taking action: Kimberley Women’s Roundtable
In May 2021, Commissioner Oscar travelled to Broome along with 100 women, including 85 local Kimberley Aboriginal
women, for a three-day roundtable convened in response to Wiyi Yani U Thangani, using the report as a tool to
support the development of a regional action plan and Kimberley Aboriginal Women’s Council.
Similar to Wiyi Yani U Thangani, the Kimberley Aboriginal Women defined their priorities around enhancing leadership
capabilities; language; law and culture; breaking cycles of inter-generational trauma; and supporting strong
developmental pathways in education, training, and employment.
Commissioner Oscar stated that the agenda developed by Kimberley Aboriginal Women would ‘pave the way to
realise our rights that belong to us and are non-negotiable … We know that our women in our own ways have a
unique way of seeing the world. We know that leadership doesn’t happen alone, it is always about all of us working
together.’
Throughout the development of the Action Plan and Women’s Council, the Kimberley Aboriginal Women will continue
to use Wiyi Yani U Thangani as a framework for implementation. This serves as a strong example of the power
exemplified by the Wiyi Yani U Thangani report in supporting self-determination and empowerment, and drawing on
the strengths and capabilities of communities and networks to support First Nations women and girls.
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Australian Human Rights Commission
Annual Report 2020–2021