Daniel Mulino (Fraser, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The East African Women's Foundation is an extremely important community organisation based in my electorate. It works across the northern and western suburbs of Melbourne, providing support to Somali women, often in very vulnerable situations. For women experiencing family violence, social isolation or financial insecurity, the East African Women's Foundation is an invaluable support.

This past weekend, I attended the Australian launch of the East African Women's Foundation's Network to End Female Genital Mutilation and Circumcision in Australia, NEFA. This initiative is the result of the foundation's tireless advocacy for the right of women and girls to bodily autonomy and reproductive health. The United Nations has identified this as a major problem internationally and is fighting for the end of this practice by 2030. This is a practice that does not have health or religious justification, and this was made clear at the launch of the network. Despite being illegal in every state and territory in the country, the foundation reports that FGM remains a significant issue. Women in their community are coming to them and saying that they find it very difficult to access clear information about the impact of the practice on women and children. Likewise, legal advice about the ways they can protect their daughters often remains out of reach. The Network to End FGM will bridge these gaps with culturally appropriate and accessible programs delivered in the community and by the community.

FGM is an international issue and a national issue, but the solutions are going to be local and come through trusted organisations like the East African Women's Foundation. This is not an insular initiative. NEFA recognises that effective advocacy requires building strong coalitions, not just within the diaspora but with religious and cultural leaders, the health, education and legal sectors, and young women and girls who may go on to have daughters of their own. To this end, NEFA are developing a network to deliver these services with the cultural sensitivity required to shift the perspective of those within the community who remain resistant to change. I'd like to particularly draw attention to the work of Fartun Farah, the chair of the EAWF, and her work over a long period of time.

Can I also call to attention the work of AMES, who provide important English-language supports and early childhood and aged-care training in my electorate and right across Melbourne and Australia. They have 31 centres and over 500 staff. The Heartlands project was launched last night, with speeches by Cassandra Fernando, a member of this parliament, telling her story as a migrant, and Archie Thompson, a former Socceroo, and there was a very powerful speech by Tara Fatehi, a person who emigrated to South Australia from Kurdistan. These stories provided very powerful examples of how the supports provided by AMES and similar organisations, but AMES in particular, are so critical to people learning the language and other skills they need. Can I also draw attention to Cath Scarth, the CEO, and all the work that she's done over a long period of time.