Women to march

Press, 6 March 1978, Page 4

Women to march

Christchurch women will be on the march during International Women’s Day on Wednesday. Hundreds of women are expected to take part in a women’s rights march from the Arts Centre to Cathedral Square at 12.30 p.m. Cathedral Square will be l taken over by the women dur-' ing the lunch hour. Mrs Mary Batchelor, member of Parliament for Avon, will speak on the progress of women’s rights in New Zealand. The Christchurch Street Theatre will perform a mime, and a group of women musicians, led by Diane Cadwallader, will perform. While the march is in progress, Y.W.C.A. gymnasts will stage a display in the I Square. Mrs Batchelor will speak at 1 p.m., and the music will; continue until 2 p.m. Infor-i mation booths will be set up.

I and the Repeal petition — • calling for repeal of the Con- ' traception. Sterilisation, and . Abortion Act — will be avail- ; able for signing. : The day’s activities, which > will include fulfilling invitations to speak at schools, nhave been organised bv a ■'committee of women who want to draw attention to the progress of women’s rights , in New Zealand. March 8 commemorates a ■ strike by women workers in . the United States in 1890, to jdemand better working and living conditions. The anni- ■ versary was revived by the United Nations for International Women’s Year in 1975. ; Many other activities are ; being planned throughout (New Zealand. The Univerjsity Students’ Association is j promoting marches, displays, [pickets, and public meetings, focused on the abortion legis-

- lation,. A march on Parlia- ■ ment will protest against the 1 new abortion law. The National Organisation of Women says that the abor- ! tion clauses in the Sterilisa- . tion, Contraception, and Abortion Act have “mobil- ’ ised” women this year. The , controversy about the act, > and the way in which it was • passed, had brought women together. t However, says N.0.W., ali though women’s right to deicide .about abortion may be I the dominant issue in the ■ march, and the day’s activ- > ities, it is not the only issue • of importance to women this . year. The march was being ■ sailed a “women’s rights ; march” so that women coulN • express a variety of ; opinions. , Men concerned about , women’s rights are invited ■ to take part.