A new report released by Griffith University and Macquarie University has found that Aboriginal women in the Victorian public sector face significant levels of racism and discrimination.
The report, titled "Make Us Count," is based on interviews with Aboriginal women who work in the Victorian public sector as well as from a review of existing literature on racism and discrimination against Aboriginal women.
The report found that Aboriginal women in the public sector are often subjected to racist comments and jokes, and are made to feel like they don't belong. They are also more likely to be passed over for promotions and to be subjected to unfair treatment.
The report makes a number of recommendations to address the racism and discrimination faced by Aboriginal women in the public sector. These recommendations include:
- Acknowledge the racism and gender discrimination faced by Aboriginal women in the public sector
- Collect disaggregated data on the experiences of Aboriginal women in the public sector
- Take steps to ensure that recruitment and retention of Aboriginal women is a priority in the VPS
- Create employment opportunities for Aboriginal women in locations outside of metropolitan and regional centres
- Provide ongoing racial literacy education to VPS employees
- Develop and implement antiracism and accountability measures that take an intersectional lens
- Create an annual networking event/retreat specifically for Aboriginal women in the VPS