The NPY Women’s Council was formed in 1980 as a response to the land rights struggles of the 1970s when Anangu women living in desert communities in central Australia felt powerless to express their views. As a result they formed their own organisation uniting women across three states and 350,000kms in a common cause to improve life on the NPY Lands for women and children. Since that time the Women’s Council has grown from an advocacy service into a major Indigenous directed organisation delivering a wide range of health, social and cultural services across 28 member communities on the NPY Lands.

NPY’s success is largely due to its capacity to provide a decision-making process steered by the members. One of the major advantages of its existence is the development over time of members’ ability to consider and analyse policy issues, deal with government agencies and advocate on their own behalf. NPYWC members have been actively involved in raising awareness of issues around substance abuse, domestic violence, child nutrition, aged and disability care and opportunities for youth. Members and staff work together, malparara way, as cultural companions, to develop pro-active programmes aimed at creating a better future for Anangu women living in desert communities.

Underlying NPYWC activities is a deep respect and strong commitment to enriching and maintaining Anangu women’s cultural lives. NPYWC facilitates an annual Law and Culture Meeting where women from across the region come together to celebrate and strengthen cultural ties through traditional song and dance. NPYWC facilitated 330 women from the region to dance as part of the Opening Ceremony for the Sydney Olympics in 2000.

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