KIMBERLEY WOMEN TAKE CLOSING THE GAP MESSAGE TO THE UN

BY ASAD KHAN

Two senior Aboriginal women leaders from the Kimberley recently addressed the United Nations in New York, calling for urgent action on Closing the Gap targets.

Kimberley Aboriginal Women’s Council Chair Selena O'Meara and CEO Janine Dureau represented the Derby-based organisation at the 24th UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues.

Ms Dureau delivered the Council’s official statement during the forum, highlighting the ongoing impacts of colonisation on Aboriginal women’s traditional leadership roles.

“It was a phenomenal experience for myself — it's taken me 20 years to be able to attend the Permanent Forum, let alone deliver a statement,” she said.

She raised serious concerns about the Australian Government’s failure to meet most of its Closing the Gap targets.

Only five of the 19 national targets are currently on track, according to the latest report.

Ms Dureau said Aboriginal women must be included in the design and delivery of policies affecting their communities.

“We can’t wait another 17 years, it needs to be done now, as urgent as possible, for our children,” she said.

The forum also gave the Kimberley delegation a chance to connect with Indigenous women leaders from around the world who face similar challenges.

She said building international networks was key to sharing solutions and strengthening advocacy.

Listen to Ngaarda Media’s Asad Khan speak with Janine Dureau: