I have been working as a hairstylist for eight years. In that time, I have been heartbroken to see how many women with Afro and curly hair have been mistreated by stylists who just don’t know how to deal with their hair.  This is due to the lack of education in the hairdressing industry about Afro and curly hair. This is why I’m calling for Afro and curly hair training to be included in Certificate III Hairdressing in Australia.

In Australia, so many black women, Indigenous people and people of colour are deprived of skilled hair care. Beauty standards have whitewashed us into believing only straight hair is beautiful. 

As of 2017 Australian Census, the combined population of First Nations People, Torres Strait Island Australians, African Australians and Caribbean Australians stands at 1,178,365 across Australia. That is over a million people who do not have easy access to a hairdresser who is well equipped to take care of their hair. Salons who do not offer afro/curly hair services are missing out on a huge opportunity.

Young girls grow up watching women straighten their hair and grow up hating their natural hair. Every time they go to a salon, hairdressers recommend transforming their wavy, curly, kinky hair into ‘beautiful, manageable, straight hair.’ We must stop telling our kids to conform to made-up beauty norms and instead help them embrace their natural self.

We have a lot of talented hairdressers. Let's equip them with extensive education that gives them a wider range of opportunities. We can train our hairdressers with the right training so they can thrive not just locally but internationally as well. 

It is important for us as an industry to be on the right side of history and make the right changes to accommodate our diverse nation. Please sign and share my petition calling on TAFE to include curly and Afro hair education in their curriculum.

Endorsed and Supported by @shine4diversity