I used to love International Women’s Day, it was one of my favourite days.
It was a day when I used to think ALL women mattered.
However, in the past few years, I have come to realise that’s not the case, especially not for Aboriginal women.
This was evident last year when many major platforms had panels of women who were not black, brown, or Indigenous. There was little to no diversity, it was a ‘white wash’.
I had hope when I heard there were a number of Aboriginal women who were going to appear on mainstream TV and panels. I thought there was hope.
But then my sisters were being ejected from mainstream panels without a moment’s notice, no reasoning, no explanation. Just a ‘we’ve changed the focus’ as their seat was filled by another non-Aboriginal woman.
The racial bias is so obvious, but when Aboriginal women use their voices to call it out, no one bats an eyelid.
So far from equality
I am forever tired of attempting to convince Australia that our lives and voices matter. We are so far from equality.
The 2022 International Women’s Day theme is ‘Break the Bias’ – but how is this possible for Aboriginal women when the stats are against us?
In this country, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women are five times as likely to experience physical violence than any other Australian women; three times as likely to experience sexual violence, and five times more likely to be victims of homicide.
Despite making up just 2 per cent of the population, we represent 22 per cent of domestic femicide (murdered) victims.
We have the highest rate of incarceration than any other women in Australia, and our children have the highest rate of removal.
Aboriginal women receive lower pay rates than non-Aboriginal women; are less likely to be promoted, do not sit in the top position of any mainstream women’s organisations, and we are less likely to be successful in obtaining private rental.
I have heard umpteen stories of Aboriginal women being followed around in shopping centres, and yet here we are being urged to break the bias - I’d like to know how we’re supposed do that?
How could we ever break the surface of the disadvantage, discrimination and downright racism our women face day in day out when the stats are the way they are?
What hope is there that we can break the bias for Aboriginal women and that we are and will be all treated as equals?
Every day we are still being told what is best for us by non-Aboriginal women and men. All legislations and processes are viewed and created through a white lens. We only need to see how the Government provided a two-week consultation period for the National Plan to End Violence against Women.
Mudgin-Gal's Womens Festival at Redfern in December. Source: Mudgin-Gal Facebook
This was particularly hard for organisations like Mudgin-Gal Aboriginal Corporation, a community women’s centre, which is understaffed, underfunded and underappreciated.
The only way we got more time for consultation on the plan was through a petition. This alone shows you how the government values women’s lives – especially Aboriginal women.
This country pays little respect to Aboriginal people, especially Aboriginal women. I would love to say that International Women’s Day has helped Aboriginal women in the gendered equality space and that we have come so very far, but I would be lying.
Hand us the mic
When was the last time an Aboriginal woman was invited to the National Press Club?
Grace Tame and Brittany Higgins acknowledge First Nations women and people of colour, yet in one-year they have built huge platforms speaking out about the exact thing that Aboriginal women have been enduring since colonisation - and still endure today.
We all know Aboriginal women who have shared stories equivalent to them, or worse, and yet they get no coverage or support.
Despite this, we have so many Aboriginal women doing amazing things, breaking barriers daily. But we’re an afterthought – there’s not a place at the decision-making table for us.
Ashlee speaking at Ochre Ribbon Day 2022. Source: Mudgin-Gal Facebook
We don’t need white saviours to fight our battles, we need them to hand us the mic and platforms to listen, learn and act accordingly when talking about violence against women, equality and breaking the bias in this country.
So for us, International women’s day 2022! #breakthebias - yeah, nah. It’s just like Professor Chelsea Watego says –‘just another day in the colony’.
I personally wish to pay respect to the strength and resilience of all Aboriginal women and I am grateful to have been raised by Aboriginal women and I am honoured to work with and for Aboriginal women.
Aboriginal women's lives matter today and every day to come.
It’s time this country shifted its perspective and started seeing things from the lens of an Aboriginal woman. Let’s break the bias by starting with that.
Ashlee Donohue is proud Aboriginal woman from the Dunghutti Nation, born and raised in Kempsey NSW. An author, educator and advocate around violence against Aboriginal women, Ashlee is also the CEO of Mudgin-Gal Aboriginal Corporation, an Aboriginal women’s centre based in Redfern.
