Empowering Indigenous women’s health

By Lua Ikenasio

Mar 15, 2025

Sheadeen Standley from Djirra and Kristie Hearn from Njernda holding one of the many shawls handed out through the Beautiful Shawls program. Photo by Lua Ikenasio

Following on from International Women’s Day, a gathering was held at Njernda in celebration of Indigenous women on Wednesday, March 12.

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Women were invited to the Njernda Youth Hub to have their breast screenings done, followed by cultural activities, a yarning circle, a photo booth and story telling.

The event also included information stalls by Djirra’s Yarning Circle, the Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation and Campaspe Shire Council.

There were stalls on site with important information for women. Photo by Lua Ikenasio

Njernda staff member Kristie Hearn said the event is an opportunity for women to get together.

“Njernda has hosted the event the last couple of years, in 2023 and 2021,” she said.

“We get our women in, make sure they get their breast screenings done and we put on a women’s day for them.

“It’s just a good opportunity to get together and have a yarn like we’ve done today.”

The event was held in conjunction with VACCHO’s Beautiful Shawls Project and the arrival of the BreastScreen bus.

The project aims to create a culturally safe space for Indigenous women while receiving their breast screening through the use of shawls.

The shawls are designed by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women depicting culture and country and are gifted to the clients after their screenings.

The BreastScreen bus has been well received at Njernda during every visit, with all sessions this year booked out.

Heather Boyd and Lynn Hearn were among the events attendees. Photo by Lua Ikenasio

VACCHO project officer Felicia Osilaechuu said the project had seen a rise in Indigenous women having breast screenings.

“The project assists Indigenous women in increasing their participation in breast screenings,” she said.

“The importance in increasing participation is that it is the first step when it comes to preventing cancer.

“Since we started the program in 2018, we’ve had over 1000 women screened.”

Felicia Osilaechuu from VACHOO and Janelle Wheatley and Suzy Barlow from Campaspe Shire Council were present with information for guests. Photo by Lua Ikenasio

Although the program is available within larger cities, the project is specifically targeted at regional areas where access to breast screenings could be scarce.

Data shows that between 2022-23 and 2023-24, there was an increase of 115 Indigenous women who had their breasts screened through the program.

The program has also seen an increase in Indigenous women doing their screenings on time and many also being screened for the first time.

Vivian Giles, Patricia McGrath, Shelley Atkinson were happy to be among friends. Photo by Lua Ikenasio

The initiative won the Excellence in Aboriginal Health and Wellbeing Award at the 2024 Victorian Public Healthcare Awards for its success in increasing access to breast screenings across Victoria.

BreastScreen bus staff provided free breast cancer screenings to women aged 40 and above at the Njernda Youth Hub until Friday, March 14.