Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Women Celebrated

Women play a vital role in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and this is celebrated with the 2018 NAIDOC week theme: Because of her, we can!

Increasing numbers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women are becoming empowered through education while embracing their cultural heritage. They strengthen and support their communities, and provide a stimulating environment for the next generation of children. In 2014–15, there were 231,100 women in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population aged 15 years and over.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women are increasingly engaging in formal education and are achieving higher academic levels than ever before. In 2014–15, almost half (47%) of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander females aged 15 years and over had achieved a Certificate, Diploma or Degree. This represents a 45% increase from 2008 (up from 33%, Figure 1.1).

The proportion of women whose highest (non-school) educational attainment was a Certificate doubled between 2002 and 2014–15 (up from 17% to 34%). Similarly, the proportion of women holding a Diploma level or higher qualification increased from 7% in 2002 to 12% in 2014–15. Engaging in learning can lead to better employment, health and social outcomes[1], with the transition from education to work often smoother for higher education graduates than those entering the workforce directly from school[2].

Providing care and support both within and outside of the household, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women play an enormous role in strengthening social and family networks in the community.

In 2014–15, three out of ten women (30%) cared for someone in need (with a disability, a long–term health condition or old age). Women in the age group 45–54 years were among the most likely (35%) to have provided care to a person in need. Women living in Remote areas were more likely to provide care than those in other areas (36% compared with 28%), reflecting a combination of factors such as reduced access to services, closer family networks and strong community relationships.

Additionally, three out of five women (61%) provided support to someone living outside of their household. Almost two-thirds (61%) of these women lived in a household with dependent children.

Women are most commonly the main carers for their community's children and therefore play a key role in a child's learning pathway. In 2014–15, almost two-thirds (65%) of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children aged 0–14 years had a main carer who was an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander female. As children grow, the positive experiences they have with their main carer (and other prominent people in their lives) influence development and often lead to better outcomes as they mature into young adults[3].

The vast majority (95%) of children aged 0–14 years, whose main carer was an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander female, spent time engaged in informal learning with that carer. Between 2008 and 2014 there were increases in the proportion of women engaging with a child in playgroups, and also those assisting with homework or educational activities (increases of 52% and 17%, respectively). Time spent with a child taking part in cultural or informal learning activities is an investment in their future, and can boost a child's confidence academically and socially.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities work together to educate, nurture and support children. In 2014–15, most children (69%) aged 3–14 years, whose main carer was an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander female, participated in selected cultural activities in their community. Popular activities included hunting, fishing or gathering local foods (59%), and creating Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander arts or crafts (25%)

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women have an important role in passing on knowledge and leading successive generations through their cultural journey. In 2014–15, 85% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women participated in, watched, or attended a cultural event or activity. Three-quarters (75%) of women aged 15 years and over recognised an area as homelands or traditional country and three-fifths of women (63%) identified with clan, tribal or language group.

In 2014–15, most (73%) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women either lived on or had access to homelands. Of those with access to homelands, almost half (48%) did so at least once per year. Between 2002 and 2014–15, the proportion of women reporting a connection to homelands has steadily increased (Figure 1.3), suggesting that over time women are increasingly embracing and connecting with their spiritual and cultural heritage.

As mothers, aunts, grandmothers, sisters and daughters, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women continue to play a pivotal role in leading and supporting communities, providing support for those around them and guiding the next generation.

NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia each July to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

NAIDOC originally stood for 'National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee'. This committee was initially responsible for organising national activities during NAIDOC Week and its acronym has since become the name of the week itself.

Each year's NAIDOC Week celebrations has a theme. In 2018, the theme is 'Because of her, we can!'. It celebrates the significant role Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women have played, and continue to play, in giving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples strength and paving the way for generations to come. Further information about NAIDOC Week can be found on the NAIDOC website.

The data used in this publication was dependent on the high level of cooperation received from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and their communities. Without their continued cooperation, the wide range of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander statistics published by the ABS would not be available. Information received by the ABS is treated in strict confidence as required by the Census and Statistics Act 1905.

The ABS acknowledges and thanks the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women who have generously agreed to be quoted in this publication.

This release previously used catalogue number 4739.0