Creating safe and respectful workplaces for First Nations women

DCA’s final event of 2025 was a special First Nations Insights event in partnership with ANZ.

Our Watch research acknowledges that, for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, the drivers of violence (including workplace sexual harassment) include not only gender inequality but also racism, colonisation, intergenerational trauma, and structural disadvantage.

Regan Mitchell (she/her), Director of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Strategy at Our Watch, shared their new resource: Creating safe and respectful workplaces for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women – A beginner’s guide, and  importantly, why we should all care.

The panel, facilitated by DCA Board Member, Bronwyn Dodd (she/her), then discussed actions that workplaces can take to address the discrimination experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, through:

• improving understanding of the experiences of these women
• creating safe and inclusive workplaces
• focusing on cultural safety, truly listening, shared respect, and living and working together with dignity.

Guest speakers included:

• Karla McGrady (she/her), Special Advisor, Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Strategy, Our Watch
• Cass Tratt (she/her), Head of First Nations Talent and Culture, ANZ
• Rory Smeaton (he/him), First Nations Talent Manager, Yamagigu Consulting
• Dr Paola Balla (she/her), Principal Research Fellow, Moondani Balluk Indigenous Academic Centre, Victoria University.