Making Her Mark
Exploring the barriers and facilitators of participation in sports for Women in Kimberley communities
Sport and recreation programs are a strength-based approach to achieving positive social and emotional wellbeing outcomes for Aboriginal Australians. Girls and women are consistently under-represented in sports participation, both as players and as contributors, despite their passion for community sports. To promote increased engagement, women in the Kimberley need culturally safe, positive and inclusive environments.
why women’s sport?
Garnduwa has the means to provide a culturally safe environment to listen to women in community. We see football as a conduit for change an opportunity for growth and a platform for women in the remote Kimberley to make their mark.
“It used to be us watching the boys, following them all the time, now we got something for ourselves and something to call our own”
Making Her Mark (MHM) activates remote communities with sports and education engagement and workshops specifically for women. It also produces and records dialogues investigating barriers to participation that are unique to each woman and each community. Findings from the yarns are communicated to service providers and stakeholders to motivate representative and required change.
About the program
Program Features
Women’s Only
The program is for Aboriginal women in remote communities and townships. Creating a safe environment boosts participation.
Football Development
Communities are engaged with football sessions, matches and carnivals.
Education
Health and wellbeing education is integrated into each delivery to promote awareness and understanding.
capacity building
Women already have an impact in community sport. We build on their strengths by developing their skills, understanding and leadership qualities around sport participation and administration.
Yarning
Utilising culturally appropriate techniques we explore and identify barriers and facilitators of participation in sport for women in community.
advocacy
Communicate findings from engagements and discussions to relevant stakeholders to represent the challenges and successes of Kimberley women.
