Welcome message from the Chair, Vivi Germanos‐Koutsounadis
Welcome to the website of the newly established Network of Immigrant and Refugee Women of Australian Inc., the national organisation withmembership from all state/territory CALD immigrant and refugee women's organisations representing the voices of Immigrant and Refugee women in Australia, their interests and issues for inclusion in policy development and deliberations by government and other women's bodies at local, state, national and international levels. For a long time immigrant and refugee women did not have a voice nor participated in decision making levels in the women's movement, the government and community because the national structure, the Association of Non English Speaking Background Women of Australia (ANESBWA) which was representing the views of NESB women was de‐funded by government and ceased operating.

 

NIRWA as an independent body seeks to advocate for immigrant and refugee women at a national level by working to achieve cultural, social, economic, educational and gender equality for all immigrant and refugee women living in Australia and to work with other women's organisaXons to advocate collectively on common issues affecting all women. We invite organisations which are operated by and are involved with CALD immigrant and refugee women and those working with CALD women as well as individual women who wish to be engaged in the work of NIRWA to become members.