tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57837098310800024122024-03-14T22:43:05.154+11:00F: A festival. A conference. A future.F is a festival aimed at celebrating feminist creativity.<br>
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F is a conference aimed at reinvigorating the Feminist movement.<br>
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F is a vision for our feminist future.<br>
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The conference themes and program are in development and there is a lot to discuss, a lot to debate and a lot of in put to be had!<br>
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<b><i>So we decided to bring the discussion on line.</i></b><br>
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We look forward to your input!<br>
<br>About Fhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13747304712255708224noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5783709831080002412.post-46481810604357736502012-02-06T10:35:00.000+11:002012-02-06T10:35:36.627+11:00F has a new website! Check it outF Collection: Feminist vignettes to inspire and ignite.<br />
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F collective is all about (re)creating and showcasing a movement that is alive and kicking patriarchy in the arse.<br />
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With this in mind, for 2012 we are embarking on a blog project to highlight feminist and women's rights campaigns, groups and activists doing said kickarse work. We’re especially focusing on young and otherwise marginalized groups in the movement, as well as the stalwarts.<br />
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With this project we are going to show some, but by no means all, of the diversity, creativity, ideas, colour and skill of the movement, and on the way we'll give you a ton of ideas to get active and connect to feminist communities.<br />
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We welcome your suggestions of groups and campaigns to cover. Just flick us an email at fcollective@gmail.com. If you want to make our lives especially easy you could include a fabulous photo with your suggestion and specific ideas for how people can get involved. We will of course credit you and your org - that’s the whole point, to showcase the fabulous work feminists are doing on a whole range o’ issues.<br />
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So without further ado, a timely <a href="http://fcollective.wordpress.com/2012/02/05/equal-pay-campaign-wins/">post</a> on the ASU equal pay campaign. They’ve had some major wins in the last year...About Fhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13747304712255708224noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5783709831080002412.post-61114116992191988012011-03-23T09:49:00.005+11:002011-03-23T12:23:05.062+11:00Abortion: Crime or Choice? Candidates tell us where they standWith the NSW state election just around corner, WEL and the F Collective canvassed candidates from key electorates for their views on Abortion Law Reform, in our efforts to build a campaign towards decriminalising abortion. <br />
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Abortion remains under the criminal code in NSW under the Crimes Act 1900 (Division 12), meaning women are still denied autonomy over their own bodies and reproductive choices in NSW. Currently, a woman can only legally procure an abortion if her doctor believes that it is necessary to protect her from serious danger to her life or her physical or mental health. Even so, a woman, her partner and doctor can risk prosecution in NSW under <a href="http://www.legislation.nsw.gov.au/viewtop/inforce/act+40+1900+FIRST+0+N/">the Crimes Act</a>.<br />
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Candidates were asked to respond to the question posed below. <a href="http://maps.google.com.au/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=201720058221902949313.00049f0d9d4f0fa517d90&z=6"><b>Click here</b> </a> to access out interactive map and find out how your candidates fared.<br />
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A<i>s any change to the criminal status of Abortions in NSW, is likely to be a conscience vote for most members of parliament, please indicate how you would vote should a bill be put forward proposing the removal of abortion from the <a href="http://www.legislation.nsw.gov.au/viewtop/inforce/act+40+1900+FIRST+0+N/">NSW Crimes Act 1900</a>:<br />
</i><br />
In the instance of such a conscience vote, I would vote in favour of removing abortion from the NSW Crimes Act 1900<br />
In the instance of a such conscience vote, I would against removing abortion from the <a href="http://www.legislation.nsw.gov.au/viewtop/inforce/act+40+1900+FIRST+0+N/">NSW Crimes Act 1900</a><br />
I am unwilling to disclose how I would vote in the instance of a conscience vote regarding the removal of abortion from the <a href="http://www.legislation.nsw.gov.au/viewtop/inforce/act+40+1900+FIRST+0+N/">NSW Crimes Act 1900</a>About Fhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13747304712255708224noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5783709831080002412.post-49475937241935720782011-03-15T10:13:00.000+11:002011-03-15T10:13:16.020+11:00F calls for the decriminalisation of abortion in NSW In NSW Abortion remains under the <a href="http://www.legislation.nsw.gov.au/viewtop/inforce/act+40+1900+FIRST+0+N/">Crimes Act 1900</a>. A woman can only legally procure an abortion if her doctor believes that an abortion is necessary to protect her from serious danger to her life or her physical or mental health; though NSW case law allows for doctors to consider economic and social reasons along with medical grounds. Under these outdated laws a women can face criminal charges for procuring an abortion, that can carry a sentence of up to 10 years imprisonment. Her partner and her doctor can also face criminal charges. <br />
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Any change to the criminal status of Abortions in NSW, is likely to be a conscience vote; where members of parliament vote in accordance with their own conscience rather than voting in line with their party's policy. In the lead up to the State Election, F is canvasing how candidates in select marginal electorates would vote in the instance of such a conscience vote. We will keep you informed regarding the results.About Fhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13747304712255708224noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5783709831080002412.post-29213175489416142642011-02-13T19:22:00.001+11:002011-02-13T19:23:31.670+11:00Come along to the march for the 100th Anniversary of IWD<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh43maKVKJGbvz2-_1P9leKtXnCMjKK6c7SWbJd451nXqZu9ajLqhDDWmfk65AhzTqKtjEWoymNOmkBnce4eYwFvzmmmhsWivJYayvtEJOLJM_562w9rgAOWfPMulxOuVp3pqrtyxPZUFcw/s1600/IWD_poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh43maKVKJGbvz2-_1P9leKtXnCMjKK6c7SWbJd451nXqZu9ajLqhDDWmfk65AhzTqKtjEWoymNOmkBnce4eYwFvzmmmhsWivJYayvtEJOLJM_562w9rgAOWfPMulxOuVp3pqrtyxPZUFcw/s320/IWD_poster.jpg" /></a></div>About Fhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13747304712255708224noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5783709831080002412.post-91696506980969263082010-12-12T12:45:00.000+11:002010-12-12T12:45:51.075+11:00Equal Pay: Big Changes NOT Small Change!On the 100th Anniversary of International Women’s Day, march together for equal pay. <br />
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<b>At 12pm on the 12th of March 2011, meet at Town Hall in Sydney City. <br />
</b> <br />
<b>Why Equal Pay?<br />
</b>Right now, community workers, 90 per cent of whom are women, have a case before Fair Work Australia to increase their pay. Community workers pay has always been low because it is a female-dominated profession. A person working in a male dominated industry such as a greenskeeper earns more than someone working in a female-dominated industry such as a youth suicide prevention worker. This is not because the work that men do is harder, or because it contributes more to society. These low wages that women receive are due to the undervaluation of the work that women have done and continue to do.<br />
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<b>Who has the power to decide the case?<br />
</b>The Federal Government – Julia Gillard and co – have the power to support the case or not. The Government initially supported the case going to Fair Work Australia, but now their submission to the case says they cannot afford to fund it. PM Gillard holds the purse strings, so let’s send her a message! The NSW Government also have a say over funding. So, the Commissioners of Fair Work Australia decide, but in the end, it is Government that has to say YES! to equal pay. <br />
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<b>What Anniversary?<br />
</b>1911 was the first time IWD was celebrated internationally. More than one million women and men attended IWD rallies campaigning for women's rights to work, vote, be trained, to hold public office and end discrimination. It was also the year of a the Lawrence Strike, a textile workers strike in the USA. More than 20 000 workers went on strike in response to wage cuts, many were arrested and jailed and several were killed. This is sometimes called the Bread and Roses strike. <br />
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100 years on, women are still fighting for decent pay and equal rights! <br />
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Join the march to Circular Quay for Equal Pay, and celebrate 100 years of the Women’s Movement! <br />
About Fhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13747304712255708224noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5783709831080002412.post-42450983477824184582010-05-17T15:29:00.001+10:002010-05-17T15:30:35.697+10:00Some wonderful feedback from the Hon. (and wonderful) Penny SharpeNSW Legislative Assembly<br />
12 May 2010<br />
SYDNEY FEMINIST CONFERENCE<br />
The Hon. PENNY SHARPE (Parliamentary Secretary) [11.43 p.m.]:<br />
<br />
Over the weekend of 10 and 11 April I was fortunate to attend the first feminist conference held in Sydney for more than 10 years. At the conference I was able to participate with more than 500 women and a small contingent of men who seek ways to give women in our community a fair deal. It was an impressive conference, with women attendees ranging in ages from teens up to some in their eighties.<br />
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The conference was organised by a diverse collective of women who wanted to bring women together to discuss how we can enliven and ignite the feminist movement in Sydney. Each of the organisers was an activist and representative from various organisations, including the Women's Electoral Lobby New South Wales, Amnesty International, the Feminist Bookshop, ACON, the Sydney University Students Representative Council and the Australian Services Union.<br />
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Over the two-day conference panels discussed and examined a range of issues including: What can feminism learn from indigenous women's knowledge? Why is feminism relevant for all of us? The sharing of power—why aren't we there yet? What sort of future can we create from this conference? There were over 50 workshops on issues such as women and education, mothering and maternal activism, sexism and sexuality in the media, feminist perspectives on pornography, women and poverty, female genital mutilation, domestic violence, women in prison, women and disability and about 40 more topics.<br />
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Some people have suggested that we are living in a post-feminist world and that feminism is no longer necessary. While ever women make up the majority of the world's poor, live their lives in fear of violence, continue to suffer from discrimination in accessing education, housing and other basic human rights, feminism is necessary. The conference was a shot in the arm for the many women across this State who work every day to improve women's lives. Anne Summers said at one of the conference sessions that feminism is alive and well. At this time there have never been more men and women who are prepared to call themselves feminists. We should work with and act on that concept.<br />
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At a personal level, it was a privilege to gather with so many intelligent, passionate and committed women. The conference was truly inclusive and did not shy away from controversy. There was not any one form of feminism. No one had to have one particular way of representing feminism. There was respect for and inclusion of all points of view, based on the basic value that all women should be treated equally.<br />
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I want to place on record tonight my appreciation for the hard work that was done by a voluntary collective. These events usually run on the smell of an oily rag. I thank those who organised the conference: Jane Cullen, Rosa Campbell, Eva Cox, Melanie Fernandez, Gail Hewison, Helen and Celia Hurwitz, Jessica Ison, Gabe Kavanagh, Simone Morrissey, Claire Nemorin, Jenna Price and Tania Safi. Their work is just the beginning.<br />
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I look forward to their future efforts on behalf of women in New South Wales.About Fhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13747304712255708224noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5783709831080002412.post-31761715756600137532010-04-30T10:49:00.000+10:002010-04-30T10:49:36.350+10:00Thanks and get involved!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: garamond, serif;">Hi all,<br />
</span></span><br />
<div><span style="font-family: garamond, serif;">Thank you so much for joining us at F: The Conference, Sydney's First Feminist Conference in Ten Years!<br />
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It was a roaring success, over 500 people met to discuss feminism over the weekend of April 10th-11th.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: garamond, serif;"> <br />
If you put your contact details down, we will be in touch shortly with things we are doing that we hope you'll be involved in!<br />
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When we first started out, we envisaged F as a way to re-ignite the Sydney Feminist movement.<br />
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Here are some campaigns and active feminist collectives running at the moment that members of the F collective are involved in:<br />
</span></div><div><span style="font-family: garamond, serif;">All welcome!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: garamond, serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><div><span style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span style="font-family: garamond, serif;">Get involved with the <b>ASU’s Equal Pay Campaign</b>: </span><a href="http://www.payup.org.au/" style="color: #2a5db0;" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: garamond, serif;">http://www.payup.<wbr></wbr>org.au/</span></span></a><span style="font-family: garamond, serif;"> </span></span></div><div><span style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span style="font-family: garamond, serif;">Come to the Equal Pay Day of Action, June 10 11am at Sydney Town Hall.</span></span></div><span style="font-family: garamond, serif;"><div><br />
</div><div><b><span style="border-collapse: collapse;">Boomers + , X and Y: A tea party for lesbian and queer women across generations</span></b></div><span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: garamond, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">We'd like to invite you to meet with other lesbian and queer women from across the generations to listen, learn and make connections over a hot drink and a sweet treat.<br />
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We are a group of generation X and Y women who attended the recent feminist conference in Sydney and realised we had much to learn from older women, and from each other. We can't do this in a bar so we decided to organise something to bring people together in a relaxed atmosphere. Expect to share stories, insights and connections.<br />
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When: 3-6pm, Sunday 16th May, at the Red Rattler,</span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: garamond, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> 6 Faversham St, Marrickville</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: garamond, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: garamond, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Public transport options: Buses </span></span></span><span style="font-family: garamond, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">423 and 426 stop on Victoria Rd near Sydenham Rd or Sydenham Railway Station is an 8min walk.</span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: garamond, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Catering: Please RSVP by 12th May so we can provide enough tea, coffee and biscuits. It'd be great if you brought a plate of treats to share.<br />
Entry: Gold coin donation to cover the venue. </span></span><span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: garamond, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~ </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: garamond, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">RSVP to </span></span><span><b><span style="color: black;"><a href="mailto:bxytea@gmail.com" style="color: #2a5db0;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: garamond, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">bxytea@gmail.com</span></span></a></span></b><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: garamond, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> ~ Check out </span></span><b><span style="font-family: garamond, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Bxy Tea</span></span></b><span style="font-family: garamond, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> on Facebook ~</span></span></span></span></div></span><br />
<b>Women's Abortion Action Coalition</b>.<br />
Meetings: Tuesday 6:30pm<br />
Sydney University Post-Grad Students Association.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: garamond, serif;"><br />
<b>Refugee Action Coalition.</b><br />
Meetings: 6pm at the NSW Teachers federation building on Mary st, Surry Hills. Next meeting 6pm Monday May 3. For details ring/text Ian on 0417 275 713<br />
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<b>Stop the Intervention Collective Sydney</b><br />
Meetings: 6pm Monday nights, NSW Teachers Federation Building, Level 1, 23-33 Mary Street Surry Hills<br />
Should you require further information and would like to attend, please call Jean: 0449 646 593 or <a href="mailto:E-mail%3Astoptheintervention@gmail.com" style="color: #2a5db0;" target="_blank">E-mail:stoptheintervention@<wbr></wbr>gmail.com</a><br />
</span></div><span style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span style="font-family: garamond, serif;"><b>Friends of the Earth Sydney</b></span></span><div><span style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span style="border-collapse: separate; line-height: 21px;"><span style="font-family: garamond, serif;">Meeting: most Tuesdays in Newtown at 6:30pm.</span></span></span></div><div><span style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span style="border-collapse: separate; line-height: 21px;"><span style="font-family: garamond, serif;">Post: 19 Eve St, Erskineville, NSW, 2043.</span></span></span></div><div><span style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span style="border-collapse: separate; line-height: 21px;"><span style="font-family: garamond, serif;">Email: </span><a href="mailto:foesydney@gmail.com" style="color: #2a5db0; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: garamond, serif;">foesydney@gmail.com</span></span></a></span></span></div><div><span style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span style="border-collapse: separate; line-height: 21px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: garamond, serif;"><a href="mailto:foesydney@gmail.com" style="color: #2a5db0; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"></a>Phone: Joe Jennings - 0424 733 166</span></span></span></span><div><span style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span style="font-family: garamond, serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span style="font-family: garamond, serif;">'<b>Still Feirce' the Sydney Gender and Sexuality Diverse Collective</b> </span></span></div><div><span style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span style="border-collapse: separate;"><span style="font-family: garamond, serif;">Meeting: fortnightly on tuesday evenings, 7 - 8.30pm. Regular venue TBA.</span></span></span></div><div><span style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span style="border-collapse: separate;"><span style="font-family: garamond, serif;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=106911902661391&ref=mf" style="color: #2a5db0;" target="_blank">http://www.facebook.com/group.<wbr></wbr>php?gid=106911902661391&ref=mf</a><br />
Contact Mish Glitter Pony: 0402 633 424, <a href="mailto:mishglitterpony@gmail.com" style="color: #2a5db0;" target="_blank">mishglitterpony@gmail.com</a></span></span></span></div><div><span style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span style="font-family: garamond, serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span style="font-family: garamond, serif;"><b>NSW Peace and Justice Coalition </b></span></span></div><div><span style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span style="font-family: garamond, serif;"><a href="http://www.nswpeace.org.au/" style="color: #2a5db0;" target="_blank">www.nswpeace.org.au</a></span></span></div><div><span style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span style="font-family: garamond, serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span style="font-family: garamond, serif;"><b>The Student Environment Action Network </b></span></span></div><div><span style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span style="font-family: garamond, serif;"><a href="http://seac.org/getinvolved" style="color: #2a5db0;" target="_blank">http://seac.org/getinvolved</a></span></span></div></div>About Fhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13747304712255708224noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5783709831080002412.post-41873389409950402652010-04-06T11:46:00.000+10:002010-04-06T11:46:03.231+10:00Auslan interpreters - DO YOU REQUIRE ONE?<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">We currently have two Auslan interpreters lined up for the conference for any attendees that require their assistance. At present, however, we have had no one indicate that they will require an interpreter and, as such, are considering cancelling the booking.<br />
<br />
We have to give the interpreters 48 hours notice if we no longer require them so please let us know by WEDNESDAY NIGHT IF YOU REQUIRE AN AUSLAN INTERPRETER.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Our email is: f.the.conference@gmail.com<br />
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Thanks and looking forward to seeing you all on Saturday!!<br />
<br />
P.S. If you haven’t booked already we are literally down to OUR LAST FEW TICKETS so get in fast or be prepared to miss out!!</span>About Fhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13747304712255708224noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5783709831080002412.post-68196680842331940912010-03-31T23:10:00.004+11:002010-04-02T00:46:49.839+11:00WORKSHOPS - Check 'em out - Click on the image<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://audio.mediaheads.com.au/Laura_F/Conference_Program.pdf" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMOrN5ser-lBWjb0H17ByeZSbvJPUD8p52dGcKiDK-8Yivby2H84PFd-UE_DSOV24E6yJ0pVqlSOQRsc8asPeFdn32ZgCTT6DZTB9TcbnnaM4NzuzcJU-wsEmaBIa7I4TP36O_QOCVTt4i/s400/Workshops.jpg" width="282" /></a></div>About Fhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13747304712255708224noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5783709831080002412.post-18806021844867297662010-03-29T12:09:00.001+11:002010-03-29T12:09:45.821+11:00GET INVOLVED<!--StartFragment--> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">F is giving you the chance to let us know what you want from this conference!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">The F conference (Sydney's first feminist conference in 10 years!) includes 3 plenaries that will be in question and answer format.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">They are:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><b>Why is feminism relevant?</b><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">With: Anne Summers, Mehal Krayem, Zora Simic, Siri May and Eman Sharobeem<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><b>Power</b><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">With: Elizabeth Broderick, Eva Cox, Elena Jeffries, Liliane Lukoki and Sally McManus<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><b>Feminist Futures</b><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">With: Cate Faerman, Candy Bowers, Chally and Larissa Behrendt<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">What do you want to ask some of Australia's most prolific feminist and social justice thinkers, advocates and activists?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">What do you want to know about feminism?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">What do you want addressed?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">What are your big questions?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">F is your conference!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Send us your questions in a facebook message, write on our wall, email us <a href="mailto:f.the.conference@gmail.com"><span style="color: windowtext;">f.the.conference@gmail.com</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">or text them to us at 0431 213 382.<o:p></o:p></span></div><!--EndFragment-->About Fhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13747304712255708224noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5783709831080002412.post-78436222205157459322010-03-22T15:02:00.000+11:002010-03-22T15:02:09.953+11:00Summary of problems for women if current Bills to extend the Income Management to a wider population are passed<!--StartFragment--> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">There is a very toxic change that is on the way for the welfare system and it has particular significance for women. The following is a brief summary of the effects of proposed changes on women. The Government is pushing the legislation through the senate in a couple of weeks and, as the Opposition has agreed, it will go through. The Greens have opposed it and continue the fight.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The income quaranting program has consistently been justified by Minister Macklin by claiming it is supported by women and protects them from violence. This is echoed in the majority (ALP Senators) report on the senate inquiry released last week. However, the evidence does not support these claims and both the original actions against prescribed communities and the proposed extension to the NT, and then the rest of Australia, have serious implications for women. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">The Bills extend the income management system that was imposed on 73 communities in the NT. Now it will be applied to non-Indigenous welfare recipients as well, first in the NT and then in the rest of Australia. This will allow the Government to reinstate the Racial Discrimination Act by putting unfair measures on other welfare recipients as well. The Government will be able, amongst other things, to impose compulsory income quarantining to non-Indigenous welfare recipients who live in certain areas, regardless of how well they are managing their income.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">Sole parents, those on Newstart which now covers many people with disabilities and recently arrived immigrants, will have half their Government benefits put onto a plastic card that can only be used for approved products at approved (big) stores. This card will be administered by Centrelink. If they want to be exempted they have to prove to the bureaucrats that they are good mothers or good job seekers. This is deeply offensive and often difficult for women who already have to manage with limited funds and being scape-goated.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">The Bill is in the senate, which completed an inquiry. This has reported full support for the Bills from the ALP senators, despite serious doubts about the effectiveness of the measures in the NT. The Greens dissented because the measures are both unfair and don't work. The<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">Coalition members originally opposed the Bills as it was seen as too soft because it omitted age and disability pensioners. They have now changed their mind because they want to toughen their welfare stuff further when they get back in.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">It is puzzling that government members supported the Bill, except that it is government policy. There were over 90 written submissions to the Inquiry and many appearances at hearings, and almost all of these opposed the changes and/or were critical of the so called evidence that income management worked.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">At best, 5 agencies supported the Bills, including the NT government and a couple of agencies from Central Australia. Most big welfare agencies, such as St Vinnies, Anglicare, ACOSS etc are very clearly opposed to the extension and the original program as were other women's groups such as a DV group and the Sole Parent Union.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">They were very worried about its effects on sole parents and victims of violence and with NAPCAN, couldn't see how the changes did or would protect children<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">This is an example of both bad policy making, (ignoring evidence) and persecution of the vulnerable.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">If you want to help stop this, please contact me on <a href="mailto:eva.cox@uts.edu.au"><span style="color: #3a5fa8;">eva.cox@uts.edu.au</span></a> or make contact at the conference.</span></div><!--EndFragment-->About Fhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13747304712255708224noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5783709831080002412.post-46948119687962219372010-03-05T12:47:00.001+11:002010-03-05T12:48:01.241+11:00IWD Sydney!! Come along!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPyC6SjdOOLs3FBtGXE1IKFHqjE77w7v00dNhhLoF5uO2VroelN7wLl15LIXzcZrmTAJiJLHZsKFN2rZiF0wy77q1Jsx3yZ2vSb7oI1Zu5JL8OHEKq4s1Evm3vzT24n4VE_zW9k1bqu4s1/s1600-h/womensday.2010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPyC6SjdOOLs3FBtGXE1IKFHqjE77w7v00dNhhLoF5uO2VroelN7wLl15LIXzcZrmTAJiJLHZsKFN2rZiF0wy77q1Jsx3yZ2vSb7oI1Zu5JL8OHEKq4s1Evm3vzT24n4VE_zW9k1bqu4s1/s400/womensday.2010.jpg" width="281" /></a></div>About Fhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13747304712255708224noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5783709831080002412.post-45136754643193219252010-02-25T16:40:00.012+11:002010-03-10T20:53:07.978+11:00New Book of the Week<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: 13px; white-space: pre;"><b>Princesses & Pornstars : Sex Power Identity</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; line-height: 14px; white-space: pre;">Emily Maguire </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; line-height: 14px; white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: normal;">Text Publishing</span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVzeGhEJZos_iR1RY1AnDzKGyhPzd-Mihx5apHQovMPGzJw2Sv_c00wAP146mjM05HFz1nWGRtCrncKrFsmPogoxwOhY38T9wV5rlSrk93uAuPxN9MZvpGTB16Hn87vK59FUYSfI6yTAwu/s1600-h/9781921351310.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVzeGhEJZos_iR1RY1AnDzKGyhPzd-Mihx5apHQovMPGzJw2Sv_c00wAP146mjM05HFz1nWGRtCrncKrFsmPogoxwOhY38T9wV5rlSrk93uAuPxN9MZvpGTB16Hn87vK59FUYSfI6yTAwu/s200/9781921351310.jpg" width="131" /></a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; line-height: 14px;">After forty years of feminism where are we? What has </span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; line-height: 14px;">happened to women’s rights in an era of girlie magazines, </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; line-height: 14px;">plastic surgery, crash diets and desperate celebrities?</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 14px;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">A feminist author looks for a way towards more equality </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">for women in their public and personal lives. A mix of </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">personal story, interview, and political analysis. A call </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">to arms for young women who grew up thinking the </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">struggle was over.</span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Garamond,'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 16px; white-space: normal;"><i><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: 13px; white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Garamond,'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 16px; white-space: normal;"><i>Emily Maguire is the author of the novels Taming the Beast (2004) and The Gospel According to Luke (2006). Her latest book is Smoke in the Room (2009). </i></span> </span>About Fhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13747304712255708224noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5783709831080002412.post-73220995343956948522010-02-05T11:10:00.001+11:002010-02-05T11:13:06.316+11:00A Feminist Because<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #777777; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I’m a feminist because of a tea towel. </span><br />
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I was young and small and saw it flapping on our clothesline, two children standing next to each other and looking down their knickers. (Down! Their! Knickers!) </span><br />
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The caption read: “Oh! So that explains the difference in Our Pay”</span><br />
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I remember asking “the adults” what it meant. </span><br />
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The best response: “It’s about tea towels and what gets done with them. It’s about what we think of the people who mop up spills and wash and wipe dishes, who polish glasses and mop our floors and what we think of them when they don’t. When women don’t just cook dinners and clean up messes. It’s about how women get treated and about changing it.”</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #777777; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Good answer (& like all the best answers one immediately has more questions. Then more. And more still). </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #777777; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
It is good answers like these and the continual questions that keep me in the movement, that are of the Feminist Movement, that are of my dreams.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #777777; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
I’m a feminist.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #777777; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
Because of bell hooks who writes with characteristic brilliance, “Feminism is a movement to end violence. Feminist struggle takes place anytime anywhere any female or male resists sexism, sexist exploitation, and oppression. Feminist movements take place when groups of people come together with an organised strategy to take action to eliminate patriarchy.”[i] </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #777777; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
Because of <a href="http://www.theory.org.uk/ctr-butl.htm" style="color: #3366cc; font-weight: bold;">Judith Butler</a>,[ii] Liz Grosz[iii] and Sara Ahmed[iv] who ask in different ways what it means to be a woman in the first place. Who ask us who we mean when we say “woman” anyway? Who is the “woman” of our imaginings? Who are we leaving out, who are we excluding, what are we taking for granted when we say “woman,” when we say “she”?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #777777; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
Because of <a href="http://www.letigreworld.com/" style="color: #3366cc; font-weight: bold;">Le Tigre</a>. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUcXI2BIUOQ" style="color: #3366cc; font-weight: bold;">Nina Simone</a>. Maybe even <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZTCbIEB2vzI" style="color: #3366cc; font-weight: bold;">Lady Gaga</a>.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #777777; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
Because of Aileen Moreton Robinson, who talks about the racist legacy of Australian feminism and with immense generosity urges feminists to learn from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander struggles for justice. [v]Because of visual artists like <a href="http://www.tracey-emin.co.uk/" style="color: #3366cc; font-weight: bold;">Tracey Emin</a>, like <a href="http://www.artnet.com/artist/7135/nan-goldin.html" style="color: #3366cc; font-weight: bold;">Nan Goldin</a>, like<a href="http://www.cindysherman.com/" style="color: #3366cc; font-weight: bold;">Cindy Sherman</a>, like <a href="http://www.myspace.com/yayoikusama" style="color: #3366cc; font-weight: bold;">Yayoi Kusama</a>, like <a href="http://web.guggenheim.org/exhibitions/exhibition_pages/opie/exhibition.html" style="color: #3366cc; font-weight: bold;">Catherine Opie</a> who are unafraid. They, like those kids on that tea towel, look down their own knickers. They flesh out their bodies. They make art. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #777777; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #777777; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;">And Because of the F Collective, who are organising this conference, who are always inspiring and challenging, always busy, calling each others bluff, thinking about feminisms, learning from legacy, holding meetings, passionately licking envelopes, organising a festival, writing books, working, laughing, reading books, creating a zine, blogging, tweeting, facebooking and, with millions of others around the world we are fighting for our lives.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #777777; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #777777; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Your turn! Finish this sentence: </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #777777; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
<b><i>I’m a feminist because...</i></b><b><br />
</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #777777; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><i>Blog post by Rosa Valerie Campbell</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #777777; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
[i] hooks, bell. Feminist Theory From Margin to Centre. South End Press: 2000. xi.<br />
[ii] See Butler, Judith. Gender Trouble. Routledge: 1990. for a brief introduction to Butler’s work see: <a href="http://www.theory.org.uk/ctr-butl.htm" style="color: #3366cc; font-weight: bold;">http://www.theory.org.uk/ctr-butl.htm</a><br />
[iii] See Grosz, Liz. Volatile Bodies: Towards a Corporeal Feminism. Indiana University Press: 1994.<br />
[iv] See Ahmed, Sara and Jane Kilby, Celia Lury, Maureen McNeil, Beverly Skeggs. Thinking Through Feminism. Routledge: 2000.<br />
[v] Moreton Robinson, Aileen. Talkin’ Up to the White Woman: Aboriginal Women and Feminism. University of Queensland Press: 2002. </span>About Fhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13747304712255708224noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5783709831080002412.post-42089802893298262392010-02-01T16:53:00.001+11:002010-02-01T16:54:45.450+11:00Being a "difficult" woman<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> <!--StartFragment--> </span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-size: 21.0pt;">One of my favourite topics: difficult women! I am one, as I discovered in my local library. I was flicking through biographies of women stirrers which usually started with <i>‘Florence Nightingale.. (or whoever) was a difficult women</i>’. My conclusion was that any woman who made some political difference was usually defined as “difficult”. So women need to fit the feminine stereotypes of "nice" or lose out. And it is not only with men but it is often other women who discipline stroppy women. It is not surprising that women who get to the top make few feminist changes as they are often judged more severely than men. Raising feminist issues is not “nice” so those women become supporters of the status quo that let them get there, and are not defined as difficult. </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-size: 21.0pt;">Gale Edwards, an internationally respected theatre director who claims she can’t get work here, because she is difficult, works overseas. Australian (Anglo) culture is particularly prescriptive: anti-conflict and pro subservience. So locals do over most outspoken women: women who stir publicly, women who push radical agendas…. ie most public feminists. Labelling us as difficult effectively limits those who are prepared to be identified with us, and acts as an explanation as to why we are going backwards in many areas.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-size: 21.0pt;">Being “good girls” and being “nice” may create feel-good links, and I am not advocating that we should all become stroppy and rude, but more women need to recognise that change means that some of us need to take risks, stick our necks out and push the boundaries. We need support, so labelling us as difficult, avoiding conflict and being “nice” plays into patriarchal rigidities. </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">Blog post by Eva Cox</span></i><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><!--EndFragment--> </span>About Fhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13747304712255708224noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5783709831080002412.post-35737201086739225902010-01-25T11:40:00.001+11:002010-01-29T16:35:46.338+11:00Book of the week no. 2<div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The F Word : How we learned to swear by feminism<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal">Jane Caro & Catherine Fox</div><div class="MsoNormal">New South Publishing</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN3V5QFwCP4opGJnAUfPagTf4LOuZwCV9JP1rqps7w1SWRR94ofMF6dq9Ac4a7koNhcs_5LpOwsM5AfhmPWLBfE5yIzUyXmCM6F1nMtv7VYI1i56uf3acU8YQTobZc3mWvCrswo65DACca/s1600-h/9780868408231.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN3V5QFwCP4opGJnAUfPagTf4LOuZwCV9JP1rqps7w1SWRR94ofMF6dq9Ac4a7koNhcs_5LpOwsM5AfhmPWLBfE5yIzUyXmCM6F1nMtv7VYI1i56uf3acU8YQTobZc3mWvCrswo65DACca/s200/9780868408231.jpg" width="135" /></a>In this lively and warm-hearted book the feminist authors explain how sexual inequality is still frighteningly prevalent. Why do women still carry the guilt for a messy home, why are women paid so much less than men?</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The big issues facing women and men are addressed with practical suggestions on how women can combine motherhood, a social life and a career.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">How has feminism become<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>a dirty word and how can we reclaim it? <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Jane Caro</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US"> is a former advertising copywriter who now writes on women, families and education. </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; line-height: 115%;">Catherine Fox is deputy editor of AFRBOSS magazine and writes a weekly column, ‘Workspace', for the Australian Financial Review</span><span lang="EN-US">.</span></i><br />
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Book summaries are care of the lovely Gail at the <a href="http://www.feministbookshop.com/">Feminist Bookshop</a></div>About Fhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13747304712255708224noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5783709831080002412.post-89808715200743218152010-01-15T14:57:00.001+11:002010-01-29T16:36:20.212+11:00The very first book of the week!!<b>The Great Feminist Denial</b><br />
Monica Dux & Zora Simic<br />
Melbourne University Press<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0OvuvhH7pJI62M5gBpjRCkvfSiqeqLHbJ16MMWEFh459CSkTQWKebejD7bligTVRFwYmB4ywpv2zOHto5AyvbqS4QPOYhsWsiaOLuhddoDViaZWYPYmdZFsLvMPAIM9SeDF7aNPX3FQ2-/s1600-h/lge_Feminism_081013015855022_wideweb__300x300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0OvuvhH7pJI62M5gBpjRCkvfSiqeqLHbJ16MMWEFh459CSkTQWKebejD7bligTVRFwYmB4ywpv2zOHto5AyvbqS4QPOYhsWsiaOLuhddoDViaZWYPYmdZFsLvMPAIM9SeDF7aNPX3FQ2-/s200/lge_Feminism_081013015855022_wideweb__300x300.jpg" /></a></div>All around us feminism is getting the blame. Feminism has gone from being a movement that helps women to one that is the cause of all that is wrong in women’s lives.<br />
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The authors who both describe themselves as feminists examine the popular debates in which feminism stands accused. This refreshing book puts an ailing feminist past to rest, and proposes a new way ahead for young women of today to call themselves feminists. <br />
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<i>Monica Dux is a Melbourne writer who contributes regularly to the Age. Zora Simic is a lecturer in Australian history at ANU.</i><br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">Book summaries are care of the lovely Gail at the <a href="http://www.feministbookshop.com/">Feminist Bookshop</a></span></i>About Fhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13747304712255708224noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5783709831080002412.post-32457680597036751082009-12-14T09:52:00.007+11:002010-01-29T16:40:07.787+11:00What is feminism and why should you care??? Two discussions.<b>1</b><br />
Many people now argue that feminism has become irrelevant and obsolete. One of the most famous among them is John Howard, who said: "<a href="http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/04/23/1050777301101.html">We are in the post-feminist stage of the debate... I find that for the under-30s woman the feminist battle has been won</a>". The debate about post-feminism implies that there is no longer any need for feminism in Australia. That all the fights have been won. That the women who still call themselves feminists are trouble makers. That we are all equal.<br />
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But the numbers say something different. In the last year the gender pay gap widened from <a href="http://www.eowa.gov.au/Pay_Equity/General_Information_Stats.asp">13% to 17.4%</a>.This will amount to one million dollars less income over a lifetime (ACTU, Chester J., Baxter J., Weston, M. 2008).<br />
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Women still undertake the majority of unpaid domestic labour, with <a href="http://aifs.gov.au/conferences/aifs10/chesterspaper.pdf">Australian women doing 27 hrs/week of housework and Australian men doing 17 hrs/week</a>. All the while feminised industries, like child care and disability care, are undervalued and underpaid. Migrant women in Australia are subject to the double disadvantage of sexism and racism, and are some of the most <a href="http://www.awatw.org.au/">exploited and vulnerable workers in Australia</a>.<br />
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Women's bodies are still regulated and ruled by government policy entrenched with patriarchal ideology. Abortion remains on the NSW Criminal Code and was only de-criminalised in Victoria in 2008, and options such as RU486 are still not available to Australian women. Women who fail to conform to stereotypical experiences of 'women' encounter significant discrimination. Transgender women are routinely excluded from services, and other aspects of society.<br />
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Women across Australia, and in particular Indigenous women, are subject to horrific levels of abuse, both physical and sexual. Escaping such violence is made difficult by a society that chronically under-funds the services that would assist women through this time. <a href="http://www.aihw.gov.au/publications/aus/bulletin30/bulletin30.pdf">Women's refuges are forced to turn away half of all women who are seeking assistance due to a lack of available beds</a>.<br />
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Feminism is a belief that all women deserve equal rights and outcomes to men; that they are entitled to control over their bodies and valuing of their skills and positions in life. The feminist movement has made significant strides in achieving equal rights for women, but we all need to recognise that there is still much gender inequity in Australia and throughout the world. There are many battles that still need to be fought. A strong and sustainable women's movement is essential to waging these battles and achieving the rights we need as women today and the rights that we wish our daughters and future generations of women to have access to.<br />
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<i>Blog post by Melanie Fernandez and Gabe Kavanagh</i><br />
<br />
<b>2</b><br />
Feminism – the dirty, dirty ‘f’ word; the word that some of us are curious about and/or are tentative about using; the word that some of us proudly embrace.<br />
<br />
What is feminism?<br />
<br />
Many, many persons have written about, lived and participated in feminism. Feminism is a challenge to define, and will be meaningful in different ways to various people.<br />
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For now all we need to know is that feminism is a social movement, a way of looking at the world, and a political framework. The aims of feminism change and are diverse according to those who consider themselves part of the movement. However at the root of this complex and ever-evolving social movement is the idea that feminism works toward social justice. Feminism aims to liberate us from strict gender norms, from the gender binary (i.e. you’re either a woman OR a man), and from sexism and misogyny. Feminism takes the autonomy and agency of women and trans* persons[1] seriously. Furthermore, feminism is not just about equality between women and men, feminism is also about an equality between women and women, women and trans* persons, and trans* persons and men.<br />
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While this conference is dedicated to reviving the feminist movement, feminism – just like any social movement – cannot exist alone in thinking about and acting creatively toward a better, more beautiful and just world. For as we all know, women do not just experience the world on the basis of gender. Our identities involve making our way through many social positions according to race, dis/ability, trans* or cis, age, class, sexuality, ethnicity and culture, religion, being part of the West or Global South, location (urban, suburban, rural), and recognised education and profession. We are also part of an earth that is being ravaged every day. To recognise all of this means that how we are active for justice and how we live with others can also depend on and be influenced by these social positions. We are never just women or trans* or both – and this conference aims to honour the differences between us while acknowledging our commonalities.<br />
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Whether you’re a dyed in the wool feminist, a beginner, someone who is very unsure about the word ‘feminism’ but considers her-, them- or himself as a believer in the human rights of women and trans*persons – there is a place for you at the conference. Maybe you’re someone who wants to get excited about feminism again or are just looking for a gathering of other feminists and gender activists to share ideas and learn new skills. Maybe you want to hear about gender-based campaigns. Perhaps you want to meet other wonderful people. Hence please join us, for social change and justice can only happen with and alongside others (who will be at various stages of their journey)...<br />
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[1] <i>Here ‘woman’ refers to any person who identifies as a woman whether she is cissexual or cisgender (her body and gender identity is recognised by society respectively http://questioningtransphobia.wordpress.com/how-to-check-your-cis-privilege/) or transsexual or transgender. I refer to a trans*person as any person who may identify as genderqueer and/or trans*.</i><br />
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<i>Blog post by Claire Nemorin</i>About Fhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13747304712255708224noreply@blogger.com1