In the past year, the Community Partnership Team (CPT) has made significant strides in improving the lives of women from multicultural and migrant backgrounds. Through targeted programs, strategic partnerships, and a deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by these communities, this team has worked tirelessly to bridge gaps in health, well-being, and equity.
CPT is comprised of four dedicated women with extensive experience in community engagement. Their mission is to address health disparities within multicultural and migrant populations through culturally appropriate and faith-based programs. This past year, CPT successfully partnered with various organisations and communities to deliver projects that focus on:
- Sexual and Reproductive Health: CPT developed culturally sensitive programs covering essential topics such as anatomy, menstruation, contraception, menopause, and family planning. These initiatives ensure that women from diverse backgrounds have access to accurate and relevant information that aligns with their cultural and religious beliefs.
- Prevention of Violence Against Women: Recognising the importance of fostering respectful relationships and safe families, CPT created programs aimed at preventing violence against women. These initiatives emphasised the significance of understanding and challenging harmful gender norms, which are often deeply rooted in cultural practices.
- Mental Well-being and Financial Literacy: CPT also addressed mental health and financial literacy, areas critical to the overall well-being and empowerment of women. WHISE Initiatives:
The groups and sessions often bring laughter and a sense of relief that the women are not alone in what they might face, that most issues are finally being spoken about and women’s health and its access is being improved. I love my work because I love seeing women learn and want to share that information that educates and builds confidence. I love seeing women feel stronger, safer, celebrated, and more accepted just as they are.” Maks, Community Partnerships Team
Active Bystander Training:
In collaboration with AfriAusCare iLEAC, WHISE delivered a 30-minute Active Bystander Training session. This program aimed to empower children and young people to recognize and respond to gender stereotyping and sexism. By using real-life scenarios, the training increased the participants' confidence to challenge gender inequality and support their peers. Forty-five children and young people attended, with most reporting a boost in their ability to safely stand up against discrimination.
Economic Empowerment Workshop:
In partnership with Women’s Health in the North (WHIN), WHISE conducted a workshop on the economic empowerment of women. This workshop, presented at Chisholm Institute’s International Women’s Day event, explored the importance of equity and intersectionality in economic mobility. It emphasised the cascading positive effects that economic empowerment of migrant and refugee women can have on their communities.
Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds Project:
Sexual and reproductive health (SRH) is a fundamental human right and a critical component of overall well-being. In collaboration with Friends of Refugees (FOR), WHISE developed the "Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds" (HBM) project to address the unique SRH needs of Rohingya refugee women. This program aimed to empower these women by enhancing their confidence and knowledge regarding SRH in a culturally safe and accessible environment. Over five weekly sessions held at the FOR Community Hub, topics such as puberty, menstruation, menopause, and consent, along with more complex issues like contraception and miscarriage were covered. With participation ranging from 10 to 25 women per session, primarily Rohingya refugees, the program created a supportive space where women could learn, share, and access the health services they need. By fostering a community of informed women, the project contributed to improving health literacy and promoting gender equality within the community.
Afghan Women Mental Health Session:
WHISE facilitated a mental health information session at the Southern Migrant Resource Centre. The session was attended by 30 Afghan women, all of whom had experienced war-related trauma and were navigating life in Australia. The program highlighted the link between mental health and behaviours like impulsive shopping, often used as a coping mechanism. By addressing these issues in a culturally and linguistically appropriate manner, the session provided these women with valuable tools to manage their mental health and shared insights into the gendered impacts of caregiving, trauma, and family violence.
Impact:
Through these initiatives, WHISE has demonstrated a strong commitment to addressing the complex challenges faced by women in diverse communities. This work has not only improved the immediate well-being of participants but has also contributed to broader social change by promoting equity, health, and safety across communities.
By investing in culturally appropriate, targeted programs, we can continue to empower women, creating a ripple effect that benefits entire communities. The efforts from this team exemplify the power of community-driven approaches to social justice and the critical role women play in leading these efforts.