AFLS and DFAT Support Amber and Lily, Two Proud Noongar Women, to Attend the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues in New York
Perth, Western Australia – April 15, 2025 – Aboriginal Family Law Services (AFLS) is proud to announce its support for Amber Ugle-Hayward and Lily Hayward, two young Noongar women who will be attending the 24th session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) in New York. The forum, scheduled from April 21 to May 2, 2025, will focus on “Implementing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples within United Nations Member States and the United Nations system, including identifying good practices and addressing challenges.”
AFLS has been awarded funding through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s First Nations International Fellowships and Partnerships Grants Program to facilitate this important opportunity for Amber and Lily to represent their community and engage in global discussions on Indigenous rights.
Amber and Lily’s journey to the UNPFII is deeply personal. The sisters are passionate about advocating for missing and murdered Indigenous women and children in Australia—a devastating issue that has affected their own family. Their aunt, 34-year-old Rebecca Hayward, went missing on 1 January 2017 north of Alice Springs. Despite extensive efforts from the family, Rebecca has never been found, and the case remains unresolved. This tragedy, coupled with the broader epidemic of missing Indigenous women, has driven Amber and Lily to raise awareness and demand action from both the Australian public and the government.
Amber, who has been working tirelessly to bring attention to this crisis, explains, “It’s been eight years since our aunt went missing, and still, nothing has been done to bring her home. The lack of response, the way it was handled by authorities—it’s a pattern that continues for far too many of our people. We need to shed light on these systemic issues, and that’s why we’re going to the United Nations.”
Amber and Lily will use their platform at the UNPFII to highlight the alarming statistics. Lily explains “Indigenous women make up 30% of all missing women in Australia. We will advocate for better police responses, greater media accountability, and the dismantling of the systemic racism that contributes to the marginalisation of Indigenous people. They aim to raise awareness of how these issues are neglected and how the problem continues to be treated as an isolated Indigenous issue, rather than a broader societal concern.”
“We want to raise our voices and make sure people understand that this is not just an Indigenous problem—it’s a societal issue that affects everyone,” says Lily Hayward. “The media and the police need to take this seriously. Indigenous women and children deserve to be treated with dignity and respect, not as statistics.”
Amber and Lily’s advocacy will focus on pushing for systemic changes in both the police system and media reporting. Their participation at the forum aims to amplify these voices and bring the issue to the attention of world leaders, hoping to spark change that extends far beyond the walls of the United Nations.
Amber and Lily, both passionate advocates, will be joining an international delegation of Indigenous leaders, advocates, and policymakers at the UNPFII. Their participation will enable them to bring a Western Australian voice to the global stage and contribute to shaping the future of Indigenous rights worldwide.
“This is a significant moment not only for Amber and Lily but for women in our communities as a whole,” said Corina Martin, CEO of AFLS. “Their involvement at the UNPFII will bring much-needed attention to the issues that matter most to our people. We are honoured to support their journey in this space.”
Corina emphasised the importance of addressing family violence (FV) and domestic violence (DV) within Indigenous communities, highlighting that these issues are often exacerbated by systemic racism within the entire system. “The challenges we face are deeply rooted in institutionalised discrimination, and it’s vital that we amplify the voices of those like Amber and Lily who are fighting for justice and equality,” she said.
The UNPFII provides a critical platform for Indigenous peoples to share their experiences, highlight challenges, and collaborate on solutions that improve the lives of Indigenous communities around the world. AFLS is committed to supporting young leaders like Amber and Lily as they engage in meaningful dialogue and contribute to this global movement for justice and equity.
For media inquiries or further information, please contact:
Aboriginal Family Law Services
Phone: (08) 9358 7400
Email: marketing@afls.org.au
