World wide, many African women and their communities are worse off today despite international conferences and United Nations conventions on the elimination of discrimination against women. African women from new and emerging communities in Australia have experienced violence, exclusion and discrimination for many years and they are in Australia to seek a better life. I urge relevant bodies to prioritize women’s empowerment and gender equality to ensure real progress for African women in this democratic country of Australia.
The Millennium Development Goals call us to act by 2015
African Women at the grassroots level must be heard because only they have intimate knowledge of their lives and needs.
Social inclusion will not be achieved without providing women’s human rights regardless of colour, religion, nationality, appearance, – As women, we have human basic rights and needs.
The African Women’s Council will assist us to meet the practical and strategic needs of African Women so that they can enjoy similar civic rights as all Australians.
ADDRESS BY HER EXCELLENCY MS QUENTIN BRYCE AC
GOVERNOR-GENERAL OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA
ON THE OCCASION OF
OFFICIAL LAUNCH, AFRICAN WOMEN’S COUNCIL PART OF RACISM REVISITED: ANTIRACISM LEADERSHIP AND PRACTICE – NATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON RACISM
KIM BEAZLEY LECTURE THEATRE, MURDOCH UNIVERSITY, PERTH, 19 MARCH 2010
Chancellor, Murdoch University
Mr Terry Budge
Vice-Chancellor
Professor John Yovich
Deputy Vice-Chancellor – Academic
Professor Jan Thomas
President, African Women’s Council
& Equal Opportunity and Social Justice Manager, Murdoch University
Dr Casta Tungaraza
Distinguished scholars, speakers and guests, Ladies and gentlemen, I feel privileged to join you for this special part of a very important symposium. Yesterday, I spoke at Edith Cowan University about -
Fifty years ago as a girl starting out at University, I was imbued with noble ideals about justice and fairness, about making the world a better place. I thought that law was the best way to pursue my altruism, so I embarked on my course with clear purpose, and with optimism.
In ways I could never have imagined then, many of my hopes and aspirations have been fulfilled. In the decades since, I have seen again and again the powerful role that legislative reform can and does play –
I have seen, again and again, the role of anti-discrimination laws in giving a source of courage, support and inspiration to people when they suffer discrimination because of their sex, race, disability.
I have seen, again and again, the role of anti-discrimination laws in giving a source of courage, support and inspiration to people when they suffer discrimination because of their sex, race, disability.
And importantly, giving them a remedy, a way to take action if they choose to.
Discrimination against women, in particular; gender equality; and the empowerment of women have been an enduring commitment of mine, throughout my work and life.
I therefore feel especially honoured by your invitation to me today:
I was heartened and assured earlier this month to read news stories of the extraordinary efforts of women and men around the world:
The authors, Pulitzer prize winners Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn, take the reader through Africa and Asia on a journey of women’s struggle and achievement:
In the words of Kristof and WuDunn – “Women aren’t the problem but the solution. The plight of girls is no more a tragedy than an opportunity”.
Last week, Ms Rita Sharma, co-founder and President of Women Thrive Worldwide, said: Whether in Afghanistan or Haiti or anywhere in the world, women are the best investment to build stronger families and communities and more stable economies.
Women of the African Women’s Council, you have deep understandings of these issues –
Friends, I have known for a very long time what happens when women get together. Instinctively, family and mothering are where we begin – where the early bonds of understanding and friendship are formed – then onto business.
It happens wherever I go: in Australia, overseas, and when I visited Africa last year.
There, one of my many privileges, was to meet Luísa Diogo, Mozambique’s first female Prime Minister.
At the end of our meeting, Prime Minister Diogo handed me a parcel:
We looked at each other and fell about laughing.
Who had ever heard of a woman prime minister dressing a woman governor-general?
It was a precious moment for me, and I think for her too.
I arrived in Africa aware that the face of poverty is a woman.
I left having learned that the face of its future leadership is also a woman.
I want to say, on behalf of all Australians: