Women caring for country create principles for workers who feel they ‘don’t have a voice’

A network of mainly Indigenous women has created a set of best-practice principles to support women caring for country across the Northern Territory.

Mimal Land Management ranger Shantelle Miller said the principles were put together following discussions at forums held by the Strong Women for Healthy Country Network, with input from hundreds of women in land management across the NT.

“We had all of this data collected and we had different people … vigorously go through it all to have a look at the main components,” she said.

“Everybody wanted to make sure that these changes were implemented within the workplace framework to help support those women that found difficulties.”

The network found that respectful workplaces, dedicated resources and training, flexible work schedules and representation in decision making could help women working in land management feel safe, supported and included.

It found that workplaces employed women caring for country in a variety of locations, roles and social and cultural contexts, so the principles suggested a range of different strategies to guide employers in supporting women staff.

Why are the principles needed?

The network’s Gennivea Aplin, a Waanyi/Garawa Ranger, said she sometimes wanted to leave her job, as she didn’t feel treated fairly.

“Because I’m a woman, it’s like I don’t have a voice,” she said.

“I’m singing out and asking for this help and wanting these higher people in our workplace to help us, support us.

“If these practices are met, maybe the Waanyi/Garawa Rangers will work as one, but because these policies aren’t being practised by these rangers, we aren’t getting anywhere.”

Ms Miller said men and women had equally important roles in caring for country, but women faced sexism.

“There was the stigma that women would not be able to have the same workload as men,” she said.

“In Aboriginal culture, once you become a mum, or an auntie or nanna, it makes it 100 times harder to find people that are committed to look after the kids while you’re away, or partners even to be there in support of that.

“I’m privileged enough to say that my household, the men and our family were able to help and support that need for us to fight this, to close the gap within the workplace.”

Ms Miller said in remote communities domestic violence could also spill into the workplace, as couples would often work in the same areas.

“We’ve seen that sometimes — it will bring about jealousy, so we need to make sure that both are protected within the workplace,” she said.

Women’s contributions valuable

The women said gender equality in ranger programs would allow the best possible care of country, people and culture.

Ms Aplin said if women were not given respect and the opportunity to share their stories, a whole generation would miss key cultural knowledge.

Ms Miller said the network was trying to create an equal environment for everybody to “grow, progress, and blossom”.

“We have new, upcoming leaders, new upcoming children that are growing up and graduating high school,” she said.

“They’re coming in with a different mindset and wanting to be able to work in unison with their different colleagues and people from different races.

“To make Australia the best place in the world to live in, we need to have equality.”

Ms Miller said gender equality would also help preserve Aboriginal culture and heritage.

“We’ve been in here on this earth for over 65,000 years, and we are still living, breathing, thriving,” she said.

“We want to make sure that our fellow Australians understand that this is the time for change: it’s now.”