Asha Ramzan

Born in Fiji, Asha Ramzan is a qualified clinical nurse educator. She has worked at the Newcastle Working Women's Centre running a counselling service for women. Active in the women's movement for many years, Asha is currently involved in the Newcastle International Women's Day Collective. She is particularly interested in the issue of domestic violence and migrant women. She has two children.

"Feminism gives an identity to and a political analysis of women's common experience of oppression. Other explanations, eg psychiatry, psychology and medicine, internalise women's universal suffering.

Feminism examines the structures and institutions of society, the locus of power, division of labour, socialisation and the dominant ideology, and demands change and equality for women.

"Personally, I am able to analyse my experiences and relationships. Knowledge of power structures and sexual inequality empowers me to challenge, influence and change my circumstances and work effectively and collectively with other women towards equality." Photograph by Name to Be Supplied.

From GLW issue 3