Sacred sistas project

Abstract

Sacred Sistas is an arts based program developed by an Aboriginal Midwife for young Victorian Aboriginal women and girls aged 12–30. It aims to increase their body and sexuality awareness and sexual and reproductive health knowledge. It promotes healthy fertility and contraceptive choices and normalises Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) and Blood Bourne Virus (BBV) screeningwith an overall goal to improve STI screening rateswithin the Aboriginal Communities of Victoria. High rates of Chlamydia and unplanned pregnancy demonstrate the need for ongoing multifaceted education strategies forwomenand theworkforce inVictorianAboriginal Communities. The community based program has been designed utilising art and story telling to positively influence the above awareness and knowledge, reduce STIs and BBVs and prevent unplanned pregnancies. The program is provided as two consecutive sessions. 1. The first provides education, training and support to health careworkers andCommunity Elders of influence to young women. It aims to build the capacity of Midwives and Aboriginal maternal health workers to conduct the program so that it is sustainable and appropriate to their community. 2. The second session is conducted with the young women and community worker present. Bracelets made from coloured beads are created to demonstrate different phases of awomen’smenstrual cycle. The bracelets are a powerful visual tool for the participants, encouraging discussion about the menstrual cycle and fertility. Bowls are made from clay to represent thewomb. This exercise is also used to discuss the menstrual cycle, reducing the risk of unplanned pregnancy, infections, and considers respectful relationships. There is the potential to adapt the program appropriately for other Communities nationally. Evaluation of the program indicates it has generated a high level of interest from health workers who say they have gained valuable knowledge in approaching sexual and reproductive health with clients in a different way that compliments their current practice. Young women participating in the workshops identified an improvement in their knowledge thatmay influence positive changes for their sexual and reproductive health.