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F Collection: Feminist vignettes to inspire and ignite.

F collective is all about (re)creating and showcasing a movement that is alive and kicking patriarchy in the arse.

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.

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.

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.

So without further ado, a timely post on the ASU equal pay campaign. They’ve had some major wins in the last year...

Abortion: Crime or Choice? Candidates tell us where they stand

With 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.

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 the Crimes Act.

Candidates were asked to respond to the question posed below. Click here to access out interactive map and find out how your candidates fared.

As 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 NSW Crimes Act 1900:

In the instance of such a conscience vote, I would vote in favour of removing abortion from the NSW Crimes Act 1900
In the instance of a such conscience vote, I would against removing abortion from the NSW Crimes Act 1900
I am unwilling to disclose how I would vote in the instance of a conscience vote regarding the removal of abortion from the NSW Crimes Act 1900

F calls for the decriminalisation of abortion in NSW

In NSW Abortion remains under the Crimes Act 1900. 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.


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.

Come along to the march for the 100th Anniversary of IWD

Equal Pay: Big Changes NOT Small Change!

On the 100th Anniversary of International Women’s Day, march together for equal pay.
 
At 12pm on the 12th of March 2011, meet at Town Hall in Sydney City.
 
Why Equal Pay?
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.
 
Who has the power to decide the case?
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.
 
What Anniversary?
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.
 
100 years on, women are still fighting for decent pay and equal rights!
 
Join the march to Circular Quay for Equal Pay, and celebrate 100 years of the Women’s Movement!