Deadly Sistas helps close the gap

Published Tuesday, 21 April, 2015 at 05:40 PM

Minister for Communities, Women and Youth, Minister for Child Safety and Minister for Multicultural Affairs
The Honourable Shannon Fentiman

Young Indigenous women are being inspired, engaged and empowered through the new Deadly Sistas program.

Minister for Women Shannon Fentiman, who launched Deadly Sistas in Queensland on Tuesday said the program was crucial for the next generation of Indigenous women and girls.

“Deadly Sistas is a great example of positive engagement with young Indigenous women,” Ms Fentiman said.

“Programs like Deadly Sistas ensures our young Indigenous women and girls have the best, healthiest and happiest start in life.”

The Deadly Sistas program is a partnership between the Institute for Urban Indigenous Health and Wirrpanda Foundation delivered into secondary schools to empower young Indigenous women.

Commencing in May, the program will be rolled out over a 12-month period in four secondary schools.

These include Murri School, Acacia Ridge, Deception Bay State High School, Clontarf Beach State High School and Southside Education.

Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships, Curtis Pitt said the Deadly Sistas program involves education and mentoring sessions to empower girls to make positive choices in relation to school, relationships, health and employment in a safe environment.

“We know that education and encouragement is key to employment opportunities and future success, which builds confidence and pride,” Mr Pitt said.

“We also know that employment enables you to make healthy food choices, maintain an active lifestyle and participate in social society.

“This leads to better overall physical and mental health and wellbeing.”

Mr Pitt said the Palaszczuk Government is committed to the education and employment of Indigenous young people, especially to ‘close the gap’.

“Two of the main contributing factors to the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous health are lower education and employment rates,” Mr Pitt said.

“That’s why it’s so important we keep kids in school, support young people to further tertiary study and ultimately secure employment.”

Mr Pitt said the Deadly Sistas program also complemented the Government’s Skilling for Work program.

“One of our strategies involves working closely with year 12 students to identify education and employment pathways, to break down the barriers and take advantage of opportunities that improve life outcomes,” Mr Pitt said.

“Success of the program will be measured by school attendance, improved access to health and social support services and employment”.

“The program will be evaluated by the new Poche Centre for Indigenous Health at the University of Queensland, with a view to further expand implementation in 2016.

Ms Fentiman said the program will be supported by the Institute for Urban Indigenous Health’s Deadly Choices Partnership with NRMA Insurance Brisbane Broncos through a campaign featuring young indigenous female role models.

Mr Pitt said the program will help the Palaszczuk Government achieve its goals in improving the economic participation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

 

 

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