Resources: books and reports

Most of these resources can be borrowed from Ishar by organisations and individuals. Please contact us for more information.

Book ‘Leaving Home’ – 2005

A book that brings 10 refugee women from diverse backgrounds and countries to share their stories of survival.

Book ‘Sangam’ – 2003

Sangam is a book written by the former Director of Ishar, Shobhana Chakrabarti, sponsored by the State Government's Office of Women’s Policy; a project from the Women’s Fellowship 2003 titled ‘Women and Intercultural Leadership’. Sangam means ‘the meeting point of different rivers coming from diverse sources’. In terms of culture, Sangam is about how people of different cultures come together and interact with each other.

The Story of AUSTRALIA – 2002

The Story of AUSTRALIA is a compilation of stories from children of a number of different cultural backgrounds. The book aims to benefit the wider community by providing an insight into the folklore of CaLD communities and understanding how we are all united in diversity.

Key To Safe Sex – 2000

A community youth project conducted by Ishar and funded by the Communicable Disease Control Branch, Public Health Division of the Health Department of Western Australia. Ishar organised a group of young women to produce a mural that would enable them to express their feelings on sexuality, safe sex, relationships, contraception and the consequences of sexual risk taking.

The Multicultural Tapestry Booklet – 1999

This booklet contains the entire story of the multicultural tapestry whose designs were created by women from Aboriginal, Anglo–Australian, Baha–i, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim, Russian Orthodox and Sahaj–Marg backgrounds. By reading the booklet you are able to share in the understanding of the relevant cultures and the enthusiasm that the women showed in this unique creation.

Book ‘The Multicultural Recipe’ – 1998

A book produced in cooperation with clients, volunteers and Ishar staff. The sales of the recipe book assist Ishar to provide quality services to women from CaLD backgrounds.

My Body My Health (Cervical Cancer Screening Project) – 1998

The objective of this project was to raise awareness of the importance of Cervical Cancer among CaLD women and specifically targeted older women of all nationalities. It was funded by the Cervical Cancer Screening Program, Department of Health and ran for twelve months.

Women’s Words – 1997

A health needs assessment of women from non-English speaking backgrounds and recently arrived refugee and migrant women in the northern suburbs of Perth. Funded by the Department of Immigration & Ethnic Affairs Migrant Access Project Scheme (MAPS).

Cervical Cancer Screening Project – 1996

A six month project coordinated by Ishar and funded by the Women’s Cancer Prevention Unit. The project aimed to increase the cervical cancer screening participation rates among women of CaLD backgrounds living in the central northern metropolitan area of Perth.

A Better Life for Our Children – 1992

The CaLD women who shared their stories of mothering in this booklet tell stories of great hardship, confusions and ultimately success as they struggled – with imperfect English – to make the huge adjustments from the world they knew to the alien world of Perth, Australia. Behind the courage and the tragedy lies the element which unites all mothers, regardless of their language, culture or skin colour – the strong desire to find a better life for their children.