Adelaide women organise

Adelaide women organise

By Jane Hope

ADELAIDE — The re-emergence of women's liberation here is taking place in a climate of insecurity for women.

Jobs are being shed rapidly in the state public sector, and the threat of enterprise bargaining hangs over women workers. Sexist judges continue their stereotyping as violence against women increases. Women's liberation is helping to give voice to those who are being ignored, bypassed and marginalised by the people and structures which maintain the status quo.

In February, interest in having a women's liberation meeting was sought through advertisements in Liberation and Lesbian Times. The first meeting was held on June 27, with around 100 women attending.

A document titled "Some Thoughts on Feminist Organisation" was made available to participants, and general agreement with its content helped establish the tone of the meeting. The document elaborates on ways of organising that are conducive to growth and support.

Two subsequent meetings have been held, each of which attracted around 30 women.

At the August 1 meeting, attention focused on what present women wanted from women's liberation. On September 4, the meeting discussing women's health issues was led by contributions from women's community health centres, Australian Nursing Federation and Adelaide Rape Crisis Centre.

On learning that an anti-abortion demonstration was planned for November 14, the meeting agreed that a counter-activity would be held on the same day. The next women's liberation meeting, on Sunday, October 31, at the Governor Hindmarsh Hotel, will finalise the organisation for this protest.

From GLW issue 120