From

1987
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Occupations

Migrant Women's Organisations

Summary

The Association of Non-English Speaking Background Women of Australia (ANESBWA) was established in 1987, with the aim of promoting access and equity for the culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) women of Australia.The founding members argued that women could not rely on the male heads of existing multicultural, ethnic and feminist organisations to represent their interests and that they must speak up for themselves.

As well as networking with women in state and territory Ethnic Community Councils, ANESBWA sought to link up with existing organisations that catered for women, such as social, cultural and political groups. A key feature of the organisation was that it was not ethnically aligned and was therefore in a position to cut across multicultural politics to lobby on behalf of all CALD women.

Sources used to compile this entry: Matina Mottee interviewed by Nicola Henningham [sound recording]., c. 1931 - c. 2006, ORAL TRC 5603; National Library of Australia Oral History Collection.