They have carried the culture, language, and traditions of their communities for tens of thousands of years, and today they continue to advocate for their peoples’ rights.

That’s why women are in the spotlight this NAIDOC Week (8 – 15 July 2018), a time we celebrate the achievements and culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

This year’s theme, ‘Because of her, we can!’, encourages Australians to reflect on the diverse and essential roles that women have played – and continue to play – in the community.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women are strong advocates for equal rights, equal access, and justice. Their contributions are crucial to close the gap in health, education, and employment.

Particularly relevant to the work we do at EPIC Assist is the fact Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are 2 times more likely to be living with disability than other Australians, and 5 times more likely to experience mental illness. Mental wellbeing is particularly relevant for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, who experience mental health conditions at a higher rate than men (34% vs 25%, ABS 2014-15).

We understand that to help close the gap on employment outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with disability, we must work together.

We’re committed to keeping up our good work in supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people into lasting employment. We benefit from the diverse and valuable insights, knowledge and perspectives of our employees, of whom 4% identify as an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander person, 1 in 4 have disability, and 66% are women.

NAIDOC Week is a great opportunity to reflect on how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture has shaped Australia, and continues to help us grown and learn as a society. Together we can create a better future where the contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to our communities, and our workplaces are truly valued.

Because of so many women, we can!