Australia’s Aborigine Women’s Group has Solution to Improve Community Health
by Sangeeta Haindl
Australia’s Aborigines have the worst health statistics and living conditions of any Indigenous group in the world, despite living in one of its richest countries. An Indigenous Australian will die, on average, 17 years younger than a non-Indigenous Australian. Aboriginal women experience poor health and have many responsibilities as mothers, grandmothers, sisters, daughters, wives and partners; most commonly it is these women who have the main responsibility for looking after the health of other family members.
Interestingly, there is no term in Indigenous languages for health, as it is understood by us in western society. Their perspective on health is holistic, encompassing everything important in a person’s life, including land, environment, physical body, community, relationships, and law. Health is the social, emotional, and cultural wellbeing of the whole community. The concept is therefore linked to the sense of being Indigenous, which is why this following story about a group of women in place called Elcho Island, in Australia is fascinating and inspiring.
To continue reading, click here
Photo Credit: Start Some Good
Sangeeta Haindl writes on social innovation, social enterprise, and social entrepreneurs. She is the owner of Serendipity PR, in London, U.K., where she works with high-profile brands and organizations in the public, non-profit, and corporate sectors, winning awards for her work from the communications industry. She describes herself as a Spiritual Entrepreneur, Conscious Explorer, and Futurist. She enjoys helping others, paying it forward, and being a mum.
