Jean Hailes for Women’s Health is delighted to announce a community partnership with Garnduwa Amboorny Wirnan Aboriginal Corporation for Women’s Health Week 2021.
Established in 1992, Garnduwa, which means ‘big mob of people getting to do something’, supports more than 31 communities in the Kimberley to promote active and healthy lifestyles through participation in meaningful sport and recreation activities.
There are many programs held throughout the year including Active Communities Program, Active Leaders Program, Making her Mark, Kimberley Spirit Football Academy, Fitzroy Valley Youth Engagement Hub and the Garnduwa Festival.
In May, Garnduwa held the ‘Making her Mark’ Women in Sport Forum in Broome. This event celebrated the tenacity, strength and progress of women working or participating in sport and recreation across the Kimberley.
The event was hosted by Jean Hailes ambassador Shelley Ware together with Olympic Gold Medallist Cathy Freeman as the guest speaker.
Through these programs, young Aboriginal women and girls are empowered to look after their health by promoting self-care, happy minds and healthy lifestyles in a culturally safe way.
Local girls take part in workshops that promote health and wellness through dance, nutrition, social and emotional wellbeing and creative arts.
“Many of the young girls who participate in the programs come from remote communities and small towns and have limited opportunity to access products and information that many of us take for granted,” says Layla Yu, Leadership Program Manager. “It will be wonderful to give them Women’s Health Week bags to take home and share with their female family members.”
“Women’s Health week is an essential reminder to prioritise our health,” says Brenda Jones, Women’s Health Week campaign manager. “It is also important that we use the week to talk about our health and about those health issues that are often experienced in silence.
“This year we are working with even more organisations reaching a number of under-serviced communities across Australia to deliver trusted health information to women and girls who need it the most.”