The WHY Campaign - Day 6 of 16 Activism Against Gender-Based Violence

We Hear You - The WHY Campaign, are honoured to have Rosemary Kariuki return, as one of our wonderful guest speakers taking part in us acknowledging the UN International Day for Eliminating violence against women & the 16 Days of Activism against gender-based violence - our sixteen days of online global FREE public events starting on 25 November and running every day until the 10 December - Human Rights Day, inclusive of celebrating Human Rights Week 3 to 10 December 2021.

Joining Rosemary, for this special event presentation on 30 November, is a preview of the film trailer, followed by a Q&A panellist guest speakers associated with the making of this wonderful film is Writer/Director Ros Horin and tbc cast members, and community partners of Rosemary's Way to highlight a focus on Migrant & Refugees Community in Australia with respect to the impact of Domestic Abuse & Coercive Control.

About the Film - 'Rosemary's Way: A true story documenting the profoundly inspiring and important life work of Rosemary Kariuki, transforming the lives of migrant, refugee and CALD women in Australia impacted by domestic abuse, isolation and connection to community.

Rosemary’s Way celebrates the remarkable Rosemary Kariuki and the group of vulnerable migrant women of suburban Sydney whose lives she helps transform from isolation to connection. Rosemary is our vibrant host over the course of a year, as we witness her reaching out to isolated migrant women from cultures as diverse as Iraq, the Congo and Peru. Rosemary is our ebullient facilitator; but the key characters are the migrant women who are drawn into her wake, and the Anglo women who agree to host them in their communities. We are moved and inspired by the stories of the women as Rosemary coaxes them to participate in new adventures and share insights into other cultures formerly outside of their experience. We join in the women’s wonder at the beauty of the Australian bush, where they gather under the trees to be Welcomed to Country by an Indigenous elder. And we witness their gradual transformation, as they find their voices and confidence in this new country that is now their home.

Guest Speakers: -

Rosemary Kariuki was awarded the Australian of the Year - Local Hero 2021, for her work advocating for migrant and refugee women. She is a charismatic changemaker, on a mission to empower migrant women, enticing them out of culture silos, exposing them to new ideas, experiences, and the wider Australian society – her means are anything but orthodox and laughter is her secret weapon. Rosemary arrived in Australia in 1999 from Kenya, with no assets and no family, running away from the tribal clashes in my country.  She quickly made friends through her volunteer work and has worked tirelessly for the CALD community both as a Multicultural Community Liaison Officer for NSW Police and in my numerous volunteer projects that support the CALD women ever since. She is a founding member of the African Women Group (AWG-NSW), which advocates to break down the social isolation many African Women experience in this country. Known affectionately as “Big Mama Rosemary” in the western suburbs, Rosemary has been acknowledged with many awards including the Parramatta Citizen of the Year, African Walk of Fame, Living Legend Award 2012 from Celebration of African Australian Inc (100 most Influential Africans in Australia). Rosemary often says, “I am very proud to be an Australian.”

Ros Horin 

Writer/Director Ros Horin’s first documentary film, THE BAULKHAM HILL AFRICAN LADIES TROUPE, premiered at the Sydney Film Festival in 2016, followed by Melbourne International Film Festival, (top 5 audience favourites) at both festivals. It has screened on SBS television and NITV, had a theatrical release in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and screened at 18 International Film Festivals. It has been dubbed /translated into five languages and had over fifty community screenings in Australia. She has just completed her second film, Rosemary’s Way as director/writer and co-producer. (Source: https://rosemaryswaythefilm.org/)

Guest Speaker 

Melissa Monteiro is the CEO of the Community Migrant Resource Centre with an extensive background in the community sector. She has strategically navigated diverse environments and advocates on behalf of vulnerable client groups. Melissa, is currently the Chair of the Settlement Council of Australia (SCOA) and Director on the Board of Anti – Discrimination NSW. Melissa is an author and recently published a book The Girl From Mumbai – A Migrant Story

Guest Speaker 

PASCA was born into a big and strong family in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. At the age of 7 she got polio, which left her with a disability in both legs. However, her parents did not abandon her, and they sent her to school with the other children in the family. She graduated with a Certificate in Dressmaking, which allowed her to work as a teacher. During the war she was separated from her family, and eventually made her way on her own to Uganda where she applied for Asylum from the UNHCR. In may 2007 she was blessed with a visa to Australia, where she started a new life, learning English, culture and studying for a new career. She has 3 beautiful boys that she is raising on her own; and is looking for a job.

Guest Speaker

SUFIA is originally from Bangladesh, and was educated there, gaining a Master’s Degree in Science. She came out to Australia for an arranged marriage. Unfortunately, the marriage did not work out, and she was trapped in an abusive relationship for 14 years. After much pain and personal struggle Sufia slowly put her life back together. She has brought up two beautiful boys who are now at university, and has done further study here herself. She has benefited a great deal from Rosemary’s programs and support. Sufia is now working as a volunteer with the Bangladeshi Women’s Association and with Metro Assist in Bankstown.

Guest Speaker

MARIA feels lucky to live and work with her husband Gerhard, on a beautiful Wagyu beef farm on the South Coast of NSW. She was an English, History and Religion teacher in the past. Her children and grandchildren, along with meditation and yoga practice, keep her sane! She loves people and their stories and is ever-grateful to her German/Polish parents, who fled Europe after WW11 and taught her hospitality towards, and acceptance of, all people. Maria finds deep spiritual connection in Nature, human nature and in the power of ritual. She believes she is a catholic in the true sense of the word – all-embracing, universal, whole.

Register & Kindly Share with your friends and colleagues to support our 100 per cent global volunteers making these events free to the public and help us raise more public awareness of the bigger picture and the scope of how Domestic Family Violence impacts all our communities is so many ways.