First Nations perspectives

The Women’s Economic Equality Taskforce (the taskforce) determined that it would not be appropriate to make broad assumptions about the frameworks that First Nations women would consider as progress towards gender equality.

In consultation with members of First Nations communities, it was determined that it is imperative for a separate framework to be designed by and for First Nations communities.

There is now time and space for that to be developed in a culturally appropriate manner, drawing upon excellent existing materials, such as:

• The National Agreement on Closing the Gap
• The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Action Plan to End Violence Against Women and Children, which supports the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022-2032
• Wiyi Yani U Thangani (Women’s Voices) report. Outcomes from this report include:
  • The development of a Framework for Action
  • First Nations Gender Justice Institute to be established at the Australian National University.

An intersectional lens to build comprehensive understanding

Taskforce members utilised an intersectional lens when undertaking their consultations and work to develop this report. This approach recognises that individuals’ experiences and social identities are shaped by multiple intersecting factors, including gender, race, ethnicity, sexuality, disability, life stage and social class.

As such, gender-based economic inequality often plays out differently for diverse groups of women because it interacts with, drives and amplifies other social disadvantages.

We have attempted to recommend actions which capture these nuanced experiences in an inclusive way, and we see this as vital to comprehensively tackling gender disparities in Australia and building women’s economic equality.