Women of Colour Australia

Dr. Anne Aly’s reminder could not be clearer: “Migrant women, refugee women, ethnic women and women of colour are not a footnote in the equality story. We are central to it.” At Women of Colour Australia, this truth is at the heart of our work and it is why we continue to advocate for leadership pathways that recognise and support Women of Colour as essential to Australia’s future, not peripheral to it. We also welcome the establishment of the Australian Multicultural Women's Alliance (AMWA) and have been engaging with Executive Director Malini Raj GAICD SF Fin on how organisations like ours can work together to ensure Women of Colour are meaningfully supported, resourced, and uplifted across all sectors. For programs like the Women of Colour Executive Leadership Program to truly thrive, they must be anchored by long-term commitment, thoughtful resourcing and national collaboration, not short-lived initiatives. Women of Colour have always been central to Australia’s story. It’s time our systems reflect that. #WomenOfColour #Leadership #Intersectionality #AustralianMulticulturalWomensAlliance #Equity

🚨 Don't miss out on our new 2025 scholarship opportunities, presented in partnership with CALD2LEAD! Together with CALD2LEAD, we’re proud to support emerging CALD leaders through multiple scholarship opportunities to undertake either: • The acclaimed Diploma of Governance, or • The Certified Community Director Course These scholarships are designed to empower culturally and linguistically diverse leaders to take their place in governance roles and shape stronger, more inclusive organisations. Applications close Sunday, 30 November at midnight, 11:59 PM AEDT. Learn more and apply: https://buff.ly/rY6ndML _______________ 🌟 Looking to be inspired in person? Join CALD2LEAD for an inspiring evening celebrating the voices, vision, and leadership of CALD women who are paving the way in boardrooms and beyond. CALD Women Paving the Way on Boards: Voices, Vision, and Leadership Date: Wednesday, 27 November 2024 Time: 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM | Panel Discussion 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM | Networking Drinks & AGM 📍 City Tower Campus, Victoria University, 370 Little Lonsdale Street (Room T810) Register via Humanitix: https://buff.ly/sD3Ohna _________________ About CALD2LEAD CALD2LEAD exists to strengthen diversity in leadership by supporting CALD women to access board and leadership development opportunities — ensuring a more equitable, inclusive, and representative society.

A national inquiry into racism in Australian workplaces is not just necessary, it’s urgent. The Australian Human Rights Commission’s call for a national inquiry mirrors what more than 1,500 Women of Colour including First Nations women across Australia have already told us through our Workplace Surveys in 2021 and 2024. And the data is clear, racism is not improving. It’s escalating. What our research shows: ▪️ 2021: 6 in 10 Women of Colour (59.6%) experienced workplace discrimination. ▪️ 2024: This has risen to almost 7 in 10 (68.4%), with racism accounting for 93.8% of all discrimination reported. ▪️ 40.7% don’t trust or don’t have access to safe reporting mechanisms. ▪️ Only 29.7% believe serious action would be taken if they did report. Despite stronger laws, DEI policies and public commitments, Women of Colour are telling us and showing us that harm and exclusion persist inside Australian workplaces. This is why today’s call from Race Discrimination Commissioner Giri Sivaraman கிரி சிவராமன், Michele O’Neil, Nareen Young and sector leaders matters. Workplace racism is a national issue, not a diversity initiative. At Women of Colour Australia, we support this call for a national inquiry and reaffirm our commitment to truth-telling, accountability and intersectional solutions designed with - not just about - those most affected. More than 1,500 voices. Two national reports. One message: racism at work is real, structural, and must be addressed. Access our Workplace Reports at https://lnkd.in/eCnz-6K #AntiRacism #WomenOfColour #WorkplaceJustice #SystemicChange #Intersectionality #Leadership

“Who benefits when philanthropy isn’t intersectional — and who keeps being left out?” Philanthropy in Australia is entering a defining moment. An estimated $5.4 trillion in intergenerational wealth will be transferred over the next 20 years — with women expected to control $3.2 trillion of it. This unprecedented shift presents both an opportunity and a responsibility. Without intentional redistribution, this wealth may continue to flow to the same groups already closest to power, leaving structural inequities unaddressed. As highlighted in a new article authored by WoCA Founder & Executive Director, Brenda Gaddi, and published in F&P (Fundraising & Philanthropy) Magazine, current funding patterns tell a clear story: ❌ Only 0.05% of charitable giving reaches LGBTIQ+ communities ❌ Just 0.5% reaches First Nations communities ❌ Women from intersectional backgrounds remain significantly under-funded and under-represented. To create lasting impact, the philanthropic sector must: ✅ Embed intersectional approaches to giving ✅ Adopt trust-based funding and reduce admin burdens ✅ Expand representation on philanthropic boards and broaden the definition of “philanthropist” Intersectional giving is not optional — it is essential for systemic change. Read the full article here (pay-walled): The need for intersectional giving in philanthropy https://lnkd.in/g6ttnuve *** About the author Brenda Gaddi (she/her/siya) is the Founder and Executive Director of Women of Colour Australia (WoCA), the only national not-for-profit organisation dedicated to advancing the leadership, wellbeing, and equity of Women of Colour through evidence-based programs, advocacy, and research. Born in the Philippines and shaped by the cultural value of Kapwa, the pre-colonial belief in shared humanity, Brenda’s approach to giving is grounded in solidarity, not charity. Her earliest model of generosity was her mother, whose quiet, dignified giving continues to guide her work today. Through initiatives like WoCA’s WoCImpact1000, Brenda is working to build a new model of giving: one that is intersectional, trust-based, and led by the communities it aims to serve. She believes giving must not only shift resources, it must shift power. #Intersectionality #Philanthropy #SystemicChange #WomenOfColour #Leadership #TrustBasedPhilanthropy #SocialImpact Mylan Vu, Caitriona (Cat) Fay, Solai Valliappan Dr Varina Michaels She Gives Philanthropy Australia

Congratulations Dr. Anyier Yuol! #PhD

"It's not just about adding black to a white feminism agenda. It's about creating real inclusion. Inclusion isn't about adding colour to a white feminist agenda, it's about reshaping the agenda. So, when you add colour without changing the structure, all you do is decorate the same system that excluded us in the first place." ~Jayde Ward

"Data suggests women of colour in parliamentary jobs earn on average almost £6,000 less annually than white men." https://lnkd.in/gszmE378