Diversity Focus

At Diversity Focus, we recognise the significance of this day, the 21st March 2024, when the global commemoration of the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination coincides with Closing the Gap Day in Australia.

Our CEO, Elizabeth Lang shares some thoughts and strategies on addressing racism in your workplace.

🌏 The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination honours the Sharpeville massacre in South Africa, when police opened fire and killed 69 people at a peaceful demonstration against apartheid "pass laws" in 1960.

🫱🏼‍🫲🏿 It's also National Close the Gap Day, highlighting disparities between First Nations peoples and non-Indigenous Australians. Closing the Gap demands structural change in government approaches towards Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

📊 Despite strides, the latest data reveals sobering truths:

• Indigenous males are more likely to end up in jail than attend university.

• The number of Indigenous adults in prison is rising.

• Despite being 30% of the adult prison population.

• Indigenous men are 15 times more likely, and women 21 times more likely, to be incarcerated compared to non-Indigenous counterparts.

Let's remember that the first step towards creating a fairer, more equitable society starts with dialogue. There is little hope for change on the absence of dialogue on the reality, prevalence and impact of racism.

Build your Racial literacy and embrace being comfortable with being uncomfortable because it's only in doing so that we can progress.