Abstract
This report presents the findings of research that aimed to support the
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner’s work
on Wiyi Yani U Thangani, and contribute to understandings of the scope of
care work performed by Indigenous women. Specifically, the project
explored: 1) how Indigenous women conceptualise care work, including its
scope and nature, 2) how Indigenous women value and experience care
work, 3) what volume and type/s of care work Indigenous women are
regularly engaged in, and 4) how the care work of Indigenous women
might be better recognised and valued in policy. The report draws on ABS
data and fieldwork, including interviews and a time-use survey, conducted
between August 2022 and May 2023 with Aboriginal organisations in five
locations spanning remote, regional, and urban Australia. Drawing on these
data, the report also calculates the approximate economic value of the care
work Indigenous women undertake. The findings indicate that
‘mainstream’ definitions of care do not include the broad ways in which
care is defined by Indigenous women. In women’s stories, care repeatedly
emerges as a source of personal and cultural strength. The research also
finds, however, that women’s care loads are exacerbated by historic and
ongoing colonisation. The report concludes with seven recommendations
indicating how policy could be reshaped to centre and support Indigenous
women’s care.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner’s work
on Wiyi Yani U Thangani, and contribute to understandings of the scope of
care work performed by Indigenous women. Specifically, the project
explored: 1) how Indigenous women conceptualise care work, including its
scope and nature, 2) how Indigenous women value and experience care
work, 3) what volume and type/s of care work Indigenous women are
regularly engaged in, and 4) how the care work of Indigenous women
might be better recognised and valued in policy. The report draws on ABS
data and fieldwork, including interviews and a time-use survey, conducted
between August 2022 and May 2023 with Aboriginal organisations in five
locations spanning remote, regional, and urban Australia. Drawing on these
data, the report also calculates the approximate economic value of the care
work Indigenous women undertake. The findings indicate that
‘mainstream’ definitions of care do not include the broad ways in which
care is defined by Indigenous women. In women’s stories, care repeatedly
emerges as a source of personal and cultural strength. The research also
finds, however, that women’s care loads are exacerbated by historic and
ongoing colonisation. The report concludes with seven recommendations
indicating how policy could be reshaped to centre and support Indigenous
women’s care.
Original language | English |
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Publisher | Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research, ANU |
Number of pages | 142 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 15 Dec 2023 |
Publication series
Name | Comissioned Report |
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Publisher | Caepr |
No. | 7 |