Aboriginal women gather in Canberra to ‘talk straight’ with women in power

Campaigns and Advocacy, Media Releases article written on the 18 Nov 2008

In a groundbreaking event to be held in Canberra next February Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women will work side by side with women of all political colours to achieve change together.
The Straight Talk summit, to be held in Canberra from 25-27 February 2009 and organised by Oxfam Australia, will provide Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women with the opportunity to work alongside women political leaders to advance reconciliation, justice and equality in Australia.
Oxfam Australia spokesperson Jo Pride said Straight Talk was designed to achieve a number of things including:
• Establishing ongoing relationships and networks between Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander women and their female political representatives.
• Demonstrating that Indigenous and non-Indigenous women care about many of the
same issues and highlight what those issues are.
• Increasing the ability of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women to access their
political representatives.
• Raising greater awareness and understanding in parliament of the issues confronting
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women.
• Strengthening the skills of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women to bring about
change.
“When it comes to issues they really care about, women are often able to focus on their similarities rather than their differences, enabling them to work together to bring about change,” Ms Pride said.
She said there were already outstanding examples of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women joining together to bring about positive change in their communities.
“There are also now an unprecedented number of women in Federal Parliament who, despite wearing different political colours, share many things in common – they are mothers, daughters, sisters and fellow advocates on shared issues of interest,” she said.
“Straight Talk gives these women with an opportunity to rise above their political differences and work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women to bring about lasting change.
‘We’re excited about the fresh ideas the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women will bring to Canberra. It is our hope that this summit will help forge long-term relationships between the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and the women in parliament,’ Ms Pride said.
Applications for the summit are now being sought across Australia. Oxfam Australia is particularly encouraging women who have not previously engaged with politicians to apply.
Oxfam Australia is seeking applications from women of all ages, family types, education and employment levels. Participants do not need previous political experience or an understanding of Parliament. Application forms are available at www.oxfam.org.au/straighttalk.
For more information or to interview Jo Pride, please contact Laurelle Keough on 0409 960 100 or laurellek@oxfam.org.au