Brisbane IWD

By Sarah Callinan

BRISBANE -- On January 30, more than 20 women attended an International Women's Day organising meeting.

Widespread government attacks on women and cuts to community services have motivated women from various backgrounds to become involved in organising the IWD rally, march and festival. Many have not previously been involved in IWD.

Government cuts to child-care services in particular were raised as a deliberate attack on women's rights. A spokesperson from the Creche and Kindergarten Association explained, "There seems to be a government shift away from encouraging women to work by reducing the amount of child-care funding available".

The collective discussed the double discrimination faced by Murri women, and women's declining access to education, health services, permanent work, equal pay, appropriate health care, crisis services and abortion. The meeting decided on a 1997 IWD theme of "Unite for women's rights! Unite against racism and sexism!".

A member of the collective said, "The focus will be a reflection of what women have previously won and a strong voice demanding a stop to the current attacks".

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