The WEAVE Forum brought together an extraordinary collective of women leaders, Elders, survivors, researchers and practitioners from Australian First Nations communities and across the global WEAVE Collective, including Australia, India, South Africa, Nicaragua and the U.S., to strengthen relationships, share knowledge and deepen a collective commitment to ending violence against women and children.
Gathering on Arrernte Country in Mparntwe / Alice Springs in Australia's Northern Territory, the WEAVE Forum was beset by grief with the loss of Kumanjayi Little Baby, so our gathering began by paying tribute to this little one, laying flowers at her memorial and taking turns to offer something at dinner at Olive Pink - some lit candles, some sang and we supported each other in a time of immense sorrow for the community.
The following day, a member of our WEAVE Collective and co-founder of Her Story, Kayla and her partner's family generously hosted a cultural day at Gillen Bore, where we came together through culture and connection - making damper, cooking roo tail, learning about bush medicine, and spending time on Country. These moments grounded the Forum in shared respect, healing and community.
On the third day, the Forum gathered at the Alice Springs Desert Park to share our work, learn from one another and develop a collective statement that affirmed our shared vision: not only safety, but joy; not only survival, but healing and thriving. We reflected on the strength, knowledge, and leadership held within our communities and the importance of creating spaces where voices from the margins are heard and valued. The forum concluded with a journey to Uluru, where we visited sacred Country and the Cultural Centre before saying our goodbyes.
Across five days, the WEAVE Forum reminded us that while our contexts may differ, our commitment is shared: to build a world free from violence, where communities are supported to heal, connect and flourish. From this, we have developed a Collective Statement to share, which you can read below.
Collective Statement from the WEAVE Forum
We are a collective of global leaders building a world free from violence. We are gathered from Australian First Nations women's groups and those who work with them, as well as members of the WEAVE Collective from Australia, India, South Africa, Nicaragua, and the United States. Our work happens in grassroots organisations, women's shelters, healing spaces, faith-based groups, and with governments and universities.
On May 3, in Mparntwe / Alice Springs on Arrernte Country, as a historic gathering of Elders, survivors, and experts, all committed to ending violence against women and children, we say:
We are formidable. Our strength is drawn from wanting the best for our families and communities. We have the evidence and experience about what works to end violence, and we are called to such a time as this.
We know, as a community that has been neglected and overlooked, that if we are given opportunities to thrive, everyone else can also thrive. We dream of a time when we will all be supported, we will have spaces to meet, share and thrive, and that there will be all the programs and funding and government recognition of the importance of our knowledge, our wisdom, and our expertise. If it works for us, it will work for all of us. Because the other ways aren’t working.
We dream of a time when survivors and communities can heal and voices and stories from the margins will be valued and given equal space to speak. We dream of a world free from violence.
We want safety but safety is not enough. We want joy.
This post was authored by Dr. Chay Brown, a core partner of the WEAVE Collective.