Wiyi Yani U Thangani – meaning ‘women’s voices’ in Bunuba language – is a multi-year project to achieve First Nations gender justice and equality.
It aims to elevate the voices of First Nations women and girls and capture and respond to their strengths, aspirations and challenges.
Listening to women’s voices
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner June Oscar AO, is leading the project. In 2018, she and her team travelled to 50 locations in urban, regional and remote areas across every Australian state and territory. They met with over 2,000 women of all ages and heard ideas from over 100 submissions and 300 survey responses.
In December 2020 they published the Wiyi Yani U Thangani (Women’s Voices) report 2020. The report outlines a plan for structural change led by First Nations women and reflects on:
- the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and girls
- the principles they think people should follow when they design policies and programs
- the measures they think people should take to help them enjoy human rights into the future.
Our commitment
The Queensland Government is proud to support the report and its pathways forward. On 5 October 2022, we signed a formal Statement of support [PDF 1984.26 KB].
We recognise that First Nations women and girls are strong, brave, determined and resilient. They have remarkable skills, knowledge and boundless potential. We must address and overcome the inequalities they face, including poverty, trauma and discrimination.
How you can support the project
You can find out more about Wiyi Yani U Thangani on the Human Rights Commission website. To show your support for the project, complete the 3 easy steps in their supporter toolkit.