Christmas Island Women's Association
Formation1989
Legal statusNon-governmental organisation
President
Nora Koh

The Christmas Island Women's Association (CIWA) is a human rights organisation in Christmas Island. Established in 1989 it advocates for women's rights to the Australian government and runs community-based activities for women and children.

Background

The Christmas Island Women's Association was established in 1989 by nurse Nora Koh, in order to promote and support the interests of women in the territory. It is affiliated with Associated Country Women of the World.[1][2] Members of the association are of Chinese, Malay and European Australian descent.[3]

Activities

In 1989 the CIWA founded the Women's Refuge Centre, in 1990 the Childcare Centre, and in 1991 an early childhood programme.[2][4] In 1992 the CIWA founded a music school and have sponsored musicians to work with young people.[5][2]

The CIWA has expressed concern that access services on Christmas Island are not equal to those on mainland Australia and have particularly cited the fact that although research is commissioned it is not disseminated to communities.[6] They have also supported calls for the role of Administrator on Christmas Island (a role appointed by the Australian government) to be abolished and the Administrator's duties be merged with those of the locally-elected Shire President.[7]

The CIWA has lobbied the Australian government who administer the island for improvement in a number of health related issues including: disability care and support for carers; asbestos removal; anti-smoking support; the installation of a mammogram machine on the island in 2006.[2] They have also been outspoken against the lack of residential care for older people on the island.[8] The association has worked with Keep Australia Beautiful, running workshops on waste reduction.[9]

Notable people

  • Nora Koh - President (1989 - ?).[2][10]
  • Regine Andersen - Secretary.[10]

References

  1. ↑ "Christmas Island Women's Association". Archived from the original on 31 March 2015. Retrieved 7 April 2020.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "Society reports 2013–2016: The South Pacific: Christmas Island: The Christmas Island Women's Association (CIWA)" (PDF). Triennial Report of the Work of the ACWW. Associated Country Women of the World: 63. 2016. Archived (PDF) from the original on 7 April 2020. Retrieved 3 May 2020.
  3. ↑ The Social and Economic Impacts of the Immigration Detention Centre on the Christmas Island Community - 2012 (AECOM)
  4. ↑ Senate, Australia Parliament (1996). Parliamentary Debates (Hansard).: Senate. Commomwealth Government Printer.
  5. ↑ Jameson, Julietta (2021-07-15). Christmas Island, Indian Ocean: How a tiny island and a boat full of refugees changed Australia forever. Julietta Jameson. ISBN 978-0-6451128-7-0.
  6. ↑ Commonwealth Parliament; Parliament House, Canberra. "Governance in the Indian Ocean Territories - Final Report: Economic Development and Governance" (PDF). www.aph.gov.au. Retrieved 2021-10-19.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  7. ↑ Matthews, K. (2019). Christmas Island: A question of self-determination (Doctor of Philosophy (College of Arts and Science)). University of Notre Dame Australia.
  8. ↑ "Life on Christmas Island". 2021-10-19. Archived from the original on 2021-10-19. Retrieved 2021-10-19.
  9. ↑ "News | Keep Australia Beautiful WA". www.kabc.wa.gov.au. Retrieved 2021-10-19.
  10. 1 2 Appendix B - Public Hearings & Witnesses, 2015 (Phosphate Resources Ltd.)
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