AUSTRALIA 2009 INTERNATIONAL WOMEN OF COURAGE

UNCLAS CANBERRA 001107

SIPDIS

FOR G/IWI AND EAP

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KWMN PHUM PREL PGOV KPAO AS
SUBJECT: AUSTRALIA 2009 INTERNATIONAL WOMEN OF COURAGE
NOMINATION

REF: STATE 099729


1. Embassy Canberra is pleased to nominate June Oscar for
the 2009 Secretary's Award for International Women of
Courage. In response to hard-hitting reports of abuse in
Aboriginal communities in Australia, Ms. Oscar successfully
campaigned for a controversial six-month ban on take-away
alcohol sales in an effort to address the violence and
associated health and social problems linked to alcohol
abuse. As the CEO of the Marninwarntikura Women's Resource
Centre and leader of this campign, she often met with strong
opposition. The alcohol ban, which has gained the support of
Aboriginal elders, has led to a dramatic reduction of 43
percent in reports of domestic violence and an estimated 55
percent reduction in police call-outs for alcohol-fueled
incidents. School attendance and engagement has also
increased as a result of her successful take-away alchohol
ban campaign.


2. Nomination details:

Name: June Oscar

Job title/association: CEO, Marninwarntikura Women's
Resource Centre

Date of birth: 21 April 1962

Country of birth: Australia

Citizenship: Australian

Address: U295A Saddler Place, Fitzroy Crossing, WA (Western
Australia) 6765

Telephone: 61 418 905 488

E-mail: joscar@tpg.com.au

Passport number: to follow


3. Justification:

Family violence and sexual assault are reported to be at
crisis levels in many Indigenous communities. While abuse is
not an Aboriginal-only problem, the combined effects of poor
health, alcohol and drug abuse, unemployment, gambling,
pornography, poor education and housing and a general loss of
identity and control have contributed to a rise in domestic
violence and abuse in their communities. In response to
calls from Indigenous people for change, a number of federal,
state and territory governments have established Task Forces,
drafted policy documents, and held inquiries into the nature
and extent of the violence. Ms. June Oscar, has not waited
for the government to come to the aid of her community.
Rather, she has moved forward, against strong opposition,
with efforts that have had a real, measurable impact on
reducing violence towards women and children.

Ms. Oscar, and her colleagues from the Marninwarntikura
Women's Resource Centre, successfully campaigned in the
Kimberley town of Fitzroy Crossing for a six-month ban on
take-away alcohol sales, other than low-strenght beer. Ms
Oscar, who is the Centre's CEO, led this campaign in an
effort to address the violence and associated health and
social problems linked to alcohol abuse. She has mett in
some cases with strong opposition. The alcohol ban, which is
now supported by Aboriginal elders, has led to a 43 percent
reduction in reports of domestic violence and a 55 percent
reduction in calls to the police on alcohol-related violent
incidents. School officials report attendance is up and
children and parents are more engaged. The Marninwarntikura
Women's Resource Centre operates an accommodation service for
victims of domestic violence with emergency short term and
transitional accommodation for women and children escaping
domestic violence.

This nomination supports the President's Freedom Agenda by
highlighting an effort focused on fighting hunger and disease
and supporting basic education initiatives. Ms. Oscar's work
highlights the Australian government's interest in closing
the gap between the living standard of indigenous and
non-indigenous citizens.


4. Embassy contact: Pol Andrea Appell, telephone 61 2 6214
Q4. Embassy contact: Pol Andrea Appell, telephone 61 2 6214
5833 appella@state.gov

McCallum