Association of Non-English Speaking Background Women of Australia (ANESBWA) records and sound recordings, 1985-2000

fonds

1985-2000

Textual Records, Nonmusical Sound Recordings, Graphic Materials, Photographs, Posters

845576

The Association of Non-English Speaking Background Women of Australia (ANESBWA) was established in 1986 following a national meeting of 200 women which had been convened to address issues facing women of Non-English Speaking Background (NESB). From this meeting, which was funded by the National Agenda for Women, a National Steering Committee was formed to develop aims and objectives, draft a constitution, recruit membership, seek incorporation and begin the work of the organisation. The Steering Committee proceeded with these tasks until 1991, when ANESBWA held its first national election.
Heading the ANESBWA was a National Council responsible for developing policy, managing staff and running the organisation. The Council consisted of 16 members, two from each state and territory, and was elected by members by postal ballot. An Executive of eight members oversaw financial and administrative business. All meetings were conducted by telephone conference.
The aims of ANESBWA included:
- to act as a lobby group committed to the goals of achieving cultural, social and economic equality for NESB women.
- to take action towards the elimination of sexism and racism in all aspects of life in Australia.
- to equip NESB women with the skills and confidence required to work effectively for change.
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 NESB women.
ANESBWA was defunded by the federal government in 1997 but continued to
operate for several more years.

SERIES 01
Association of Non-English Speaking Background Women of Australia (ANESBWA) records, 1985-2000, being mainly administrative and subject files

SERIES 02
Association of Non-English Speaking Background Women of Australia (ANESBWA) audio cassettes

SERIES 03
Association of Non-English Speaking Background Women of Australia (ANESBWA) pictorial material