YWCA Australia is proud to be formalising our commitment to reconciliation with First Nations Australians through our Reconciliation Action Plan. As an organisation working to ensure all women feel safe and secure in a home of their choice, we understand First Nations women are less likely to feel this sense of safety and security due to systemic discrimination, racism and the effects of colonisation. Our reconciliation work recognises First Nations women as experts in their own lives, and aims to amplify their voices and lived experience expertise as we work to change the systems and structures that prevent all women from feeling safe, secure and well in their homes.
YWCA Australia proudly supports an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament. Read our full statement here.
YWCA Australia’s vision for reconciliation is a future where First Nations peoples are recognised and respected as the Traditional Custodians of the lands, seas and skies of Australia. We acknowledge that reconciliation can only be achieved when there is equity in life outcomes between First Nations and non-First Nations Australians.
As we work towards a future where gender equality is a reality, it is our ambition that First Nations young women and women experience increased well-being, safety, and security in their homes and that those at risk of housing insecurity and homelessness have access to culturally appropriate housing pathways and social support.
This must be guided by the voices of First Nations young women, women and gender diverse people, whose right to and capacity for self-determination we recognise.
In February 2023, we launched our Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP). Our Reflect RAP is our formal commitment to reconciliation and outlines the steps we will take as a national organisation to achieve reconciliation.
We look forward to sharing updates and progress as we implement our first RAP
The art on our Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan was done by Lani Balzan. Lani is an Aboriginal artist and graphic designer specialising in designing Indigenous canvas art, graphic design, logo design, Reconciliation Action Plans design and document design.
Lani is a proud Aboriginal woman from the Wiradjuri people of the three-river tribe. Her family originates from Mudgee but she grew up all over Australia and lived in many different towns starting her business in the Illawarra NSW and recently relocating to Mid-North Queensland.
About the work, she says:
The artwork represents the connection YWCA has with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and their culture, overall it is the focus on closing the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people by developing respectful, trusting and mutually beneficial relationships.
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