Aboriginal women have always said that their first struggle is for Aboriginal rights generally, then for women. However, in recent years they have been campaigning to do something about the high rates of alcoholism and domestic violence in their communities. All of the issues of poverty, such as health problems, housing and education, affect Aboriginal women. But it's interesting to see that many Aboriginal women are attending university these days as mature-age students. They believe education is the key to change and more and more are becoming well-respected academics and teachers.
Aboriginal women have a strong role in their Law and culture.
This refers to ceremonies and rituals in connection with the land. During the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games more than 200 women from the Central Desert region danced and sang part of their traditional ceremonies. The issue of the Stolen Generations naturally also affects women and, on the whole, it has been the women who have led the campaign to have the Australian government recognise the wrongs of the past. They are also involved in organisations helping people find their families. And of course, anything that affects their children is very important to Aboriginal women and that is why they are campaigning for better living conditions, education and health as well as land rights.