Rallies, marches and other activities in the last week of October marked the annual Reclaim the Night events protesting violence against women.
From Canberra, Katrina Dean reports that around 350 women and male supporters gathered in Civic on October 25 in a confident and friendly atmosphere not seen for many years. Speakers from the organising collective talked about the facts of violence against women and cuts to women's services, as well as the recent High Court challenge to abortion rights. Women displayed self-defence techniques to finish the rally, which was followed by a noisy march.
The event helped raise the level of organisation of the women's movement in Canberra. The first organising meeting for the next major event for the movement, International Women's Day, will be held on November 25.
From Newcastle, Kamala Emanuel and Jane Beckmann report that 200 women attended a rally, march and concert on October 25.
A Samaritans Foundation youth worker, Anne Lavis, spoke of the difficulties facing young women trying to live independently as benefits and housing options become more limited. Delece Manton and Anna Hartree spoke about the problems facing women in rural areas where housing and support options are virtually non-existent, trapping women in domestic violence situations.
From Brisbane, Lynda Hansen reports that more than 1000 women marched on October 25. Speakers included Julie Picknick, about the sexual assault of Murri women; Eva Pick on behalf of Brisbane Rape and Incest Centre; Manoli Orellana from the National Union of Guatemalan Women, and Ruth Ratcliffe from the Democratic Socialist Party. Ratcliffe told the rally, "We cannot rely on Labor or Coalition governments to stop violence against women. We need to organise an independent movement where the entire community can campaign for women's rights."
Tuntuni Bhattacharyya reports that on October 25 around 2000 women joined a colourful and spirited march in Sydney. This year's theme highlighted and called for an end to the use of rape in war.
Susan Price reports from Melbourne that around 2000 women marched on October 25. A postcard put out by the organising collective outlined the reasons for the march:
- to be visible and take up public space in our protest of violence against us,
- to promote the strength and survival of women and children who experience violence,
- to acknowledge and state our anger about the existence of all forms of violence against women and children,
- to renew our energy for the many ways we are constantly challenging violence in our own lives.
Dandenong held its inaugural rally and march on October 25. Around 200 women of all ages attended, and all participated with gusto in loud chanting. Speakers included Edith Kennedy, a Koori woman; two other survivors of domestic violence, and Susan Price from the Democratic Socialist Party. The rally next year will be held in Frankston.
From Wollongong, Tony Iltis reports that on October 24, 100 women gathered for a march to a rally where they were joined by male supporters. Speakers included Marg Perrott who read a statement from imprisoned Indonesian democracy movement leader Dita Sari; Resistance organiser, Nikki Ulasowski; Wollongong University SRC president Laura Wilson, and representatives from the Migrant Resource Centre and Women's Centre.
From Launceston, Bronnie Charles reports that 100 women rallied in the Brisbane Street Mall to hear speakers and singers while in Hobart 100 women rallied on parliament steps and marched on October 25. Natalie Woodlock reports that all speakers at the Hobart rally called on the government to recognise services for survivors as essential services, stop the funding cuts, provide decent wages for support workers, and increase funding to women's services.
The Hobart organising collective has been closed for two years — women who wished to be involved had to apply for membership. At the rally it was announced that current collective members would not be involved in organising Reclaim the Night in 1997. The collective is now open to all women.
The Perth Reclaim the Night activities have been postponed to November 30.