Forum on feminism

Issue 

By Kathy Newnam

ADELAIDE — As part of preparations for International Women's Day, a forum on February 6 featured a range of speakers on the theme chosen by the 1999 IWD Collective, "Women Unite For Your Rights".

Melanie Sjoberg, an industrial organiser with the Public Service Association of SA, described the campaign by the PSA, in conjunction with the Australian Education Union, against staffing cuts in schools. She described how a largely female work force has forced concessions from the SA government through industrial action.

Deb McNamara, a worker with the Second Story Youth Health Service, related her experiences of working with groups of young women around issues such as body image and sexual abuse.

High school student and Resistance activist Arrow Tong spoke about helping to organise the high school walkouts against racism last year, and the role played by young women in the campaign.

Bronwen Beechey from the IWD Collective outlined the history of International Women's Day, and stressed the importance of IWD as a day for women to demand rights that they are still denied.

The speakers were followed by lively discussion. A common theme was the need to rebuild the women's movement so that attacks on women can be stopped. The discussion also underlined the need for feminist activity throughout the year, not just around IWD.

The Adelaide IWD Collective meets at noon each Saturday at the Women's Studies Resource Centre, Pennington Tce, North Adelaide. Phone Kathy on 8231 6982 or Connie on 8268 3346. E-mail to <iwd@hotmail.com>.

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