Today Djirra held its 150th Sisters Day Out. Since 2007, almost 12,000 Aboriginal women have had the opportunity to attend Sisters Day Out workshops delivered by Djirra across Victoria. “Sisters Day Out celebrates the strength and resilience of Aboriginal women and our culture,” said Djirra’s Chief Executive Officer, Antoinette Braybrook. “For over a decade, the event has brought Aboriginal women together to support each other, enjoy a day out and address family violence in a culturally safe space.” “Aboriginal women are the glue in our communities. We know that women who are experiencing family violence will not just come to us – so Sisters Day Out takes us to the women in communities. Sisters Day out builds trust and breaks down barriers to accessing safety and support,” said Ms Braybrook. In addition to wellbeing and cultural workshops, Djirra’s flagship program provides a culturally safe space in which Aboriginal women can talk about family violence, learn about their rights and legal options and find out what local supports are available to keep women and their children safe. Women can access a lawyer and counsellor privately on the day if the need. Since Djirra’s inception, Sisters Day Out has been delivered in 54 postcodes around the state. Djirra also delivers Sisters Day In at Dame Phyllis Frost Centre, drawing on the cultural strength of Aboriginal women inside and supporting women to link in with vital supports like the Koori Women’s Place on release.
“Djirra is about sharing stories and finding solutions: we listen to our women’s stories, we believe them and draw on cultural strength to build resilience. Djirra is about women’s business, our cultural way and our self-determination’, Ms Braybrook said. The special event to celebrate the 150th Sisters Day Out is funded by the Victorian Department of Justice and Regulation under a four-year contract Djirra received to deliver its culturally safe, early intervention and prevention programs. This funding formed part of the State Government’s unprecedented investment into addressing family violence made following the Royal Commission into Family Violence. Media
