Leaders in First Nations maternal, newborn and child health
Directors' message
The Institute for First Nations Birth Rights was established as a strategic investment by Charles Darwin University and is named in honour of Molly Wardaguga (1938-2009). Molly represents the mothers (and grandmothers) who hold sacred our birthing practices from across millennium and celebrates birthing as the first ceremony - the first opportunity for baby to be connected to country, culture, and community.
The Institute has a transdisciplinary team from across Australia that contribute to the evidence base of initiatives from pregnancy into early years. Working with Aboriginal community-controlled health services, as centres of excellence, we aim to work within governance frameworks that drive and embed First Nations leadership in data sovereignty and research methodologies.
CDU’s Molly Wardaguga Institute for First Nations Birth Rights is part of a global movement for ‘Birthing on Country' and we see this as a call to action for ‘Black Lives Matter’. Our work is with intention and with urgency in working towards change, understanding these changes are fundamental and foundational to nation building for our First Nations people.
- Professor Yvette Roe, Director
About the Institute
Molly Wardaguga (1938-2009) was a Burarra Elder, Aboriginal Midwife, Senior Aboriginal Health Worker and founding member of the Malabam (now Malal’a) Health Board in Maningrida, Arnhem Land. Molly worked extensively to improve First Nations health with a focus on returning birthing services to First Nations communities. She was an important contributor to the Australian discourse regarding the importance of Birthing on Country and her work galvanised many advocates to improve child and maternity services for First Nations Australians. Read Molly’s story.
Molly's vision will endure through the work of CDU and Molly Wardaguga Institute for First Nations Birth Rights.
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Video: 45 minutes, 52 seconds
News
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Lancet paper: BOC vs standard care for First Nations Australians: Cost-effective analysis
Read our new Lancet publication assessing the cost effectiveness of a Birthing on Country maternity service in reducing preterm births compared to standard maternity care for First Nations women.
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Best Start To Life: a national gathering report
BSTL showcased innovative, translational research, and leading practice changes from around the country, attracting significant national interest.
The Best Start to Life gathering was a tremendous success. In the words of our delegates, it was inspiring, brilliant, powerful, or quite simply “the best conference I’ve ever attended!”
Read report now -
Supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Families to Stay Together from the Start (SAFeST Start): Urgent call to action to address crisis in infant removals
This article outlines systemic failures to address the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander parents during pregnancy and following birth, causing cumulative harm and trauma to families, communities and cultures.
Read more