The word ‘Yaye’ means sister in Arrernte. The Future Yayes group is made up of young Aboriginal women from Town Camps aged between 14 – 20 years of age. They meet weekly to talk about harmful attitudes and beliefs of gender and racial inequality that young Aboriginal people face in a Central Australian context. The program uses a strength-based, trauma-informed, intersectional feminist approach which means that although we are a primary prevention DFSV program, they also have fun, celebrate members successes and look after each other! We know evidence shows that when women are more connected socially, when their networks are expanded, when they are introduced to people for all walks of life – this helps keep them safe!   

The more young people learn about what is a healthy or unhealthy relationship, have more people to reach out to and support them if they experience violence or are worried about something or someone else. Leads to a future without violence.  

Future Yayes was born out of a need for young people to learn about Domestic, Family, Sexual Violence (DFSV) and healthy relationships. The program was created from Aboriginal Town Camp women from Mparntwe/Alice Springs who are driven to end DFSV. Those women wanted the next generation of women to feel empowered and become leaders in their community.  

Future Yayes want young people to not have to experience violence in their community. 

We want women and men to have equal rights. 

Future Yayes