We acknowledge the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the lands across which we live and work. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging, and acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ continuing connection – both physical and spiritual – to land, sea and sky.
Improving cervical screening participation for Aboriginal women
COORDINARE partnered with Grand Pacific Health and formed networks with other local health organisations, Aboriginal Health Workers, GPs, Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations, Elders and community members to improve cervical screening participation among Aboriginal women in the Illawarra Shoalhaven.
Funding from the Cancer Institute NSW’s Cervical Screening Community Engagement Grant is helping the initiative increase access to culturally safe care and informed choice.
Recognising disparities in cervical screening participation and cervical cancer outcomes for Aboriginal women, the partnership adopted a community-led approach.
Through yarning circles and storytelling, women shared their experiences to help shape the design of culturally appropriate education, awareness and engagement activities.
As 70% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples access care through mainstream practices, GP eLearning modules are being formulated to increase cultural safety within mainstream practices.
Artwork bringing stories to life
Aboriginal women's stories and experiences are helping shape a community-led awareness campaign to encourage cervical screening participation. Through yarning circles, participants are co-designing culturally appropriate resources, while a locationally appropriate Aboriginal artist has created a piece of work inspired by the stories and wisdom shared. The artwork will become the centrepiece of the campaign, raising awareness and sparking conversations across the community.
Women’s Business, Women’s Way by Wodi Wodi Walbunja Artist Lauren Henry the Cultural Creative Lead at Yirra Miya.