Concern unites women’s conference

Press, 1 September 1982, Page 16

Concern unites women’s conference

Making it happen &

About 180 women met recently in Palmerston North for the annual conference of the Women’s Studies Association.

The Christchurch women who attended described it as a happy conference, with a feeling of unity. Education cuts affecting women’s studies were a topic for wide discussion. The Women's Studies Courses, run by the Auckland Workers’ . Educational Association is the most affected.

The low status of Women's Studies Courses at Waikato and Victoria Universities mean that staff cuts are likely.

Highlights of the conference were a play about a Victorian confidence trickster, Amy Bock, written by Fiona Poole, and performed by an amateaur group, and the video film made by Mary Hancock on the Rixen factory sit-in. The film emphasised the multiple redundancies experienced by many of Rixen female staff, most of whom

were Maori women. It also revealed the way that Maori women, with their experience of community living on the marae, had shown the pakehas how to live together during the sit-in. Among the wide range of papers presented, was a rich selection relating to women and literature. These presented feminist interpretations which differed markedly from conventional concepts.

One paper was given by a University of Canterbury Asian Studies lecturer, Chigusa Kimura-Steven. It examined the comparative dominance of women writers in Japan before the eleventh century, and the reasons for their decline. Mrs Steven linked their creativity to their position in society. She showed how from the eleventh century, onwards Japanese society moved from matrilineal descent (from women) to patrilineal (from men). With the rise of the samurai, who assumed political control by force and changed the political system to the detriment of women, decline of their writing. The 1983 Women’s Studies Conference will be held in Christchurch, next August. It will be hosted by Christchurch members of the association.

Scones are out The New Zealand Country Women’s Institute is not an organisation where women spend their afternoons looking at each other’s scones, the Institute’s retiring dominion president, Mrs April Kerr, of South Canterbury, said in a recent interview.

“Many of the old traditions still hold good, but the institute is just as ready to change as any organisation,” Mrs Kerr said. Mrs Kerr finds that those attending the present conference are much more positive and forward thinking than

they used to be. They have more definite ideas, and are better at presenting them.

Meeting times were now varied to allow women working outside the home to attend.

The Institute’s main tradition has always been homemaking, but this does not mean women have been, encouraged to spend all their time at home. It is the quality of time spent, rather than the quantity, she said. The Institute corresponds with many different womens groups, and is regularly consulted on matters concerning women by government departments. The Institute is not afraid to deal with controversial topics or politics. “How can you keep out of political matters these days?” Mrs Kerr asked. But the Institute did not support any particular political party.

r ’ Cd)UrSLS Cracroft Community Centre, Tuesday, September 14, 12-2 p.m. Living Alone Again — widowed, divorced, deserted or living alone by preference. Bring your lunch to this discussion led by The Health Alternatives for Women. Phone 372-774 for

details. Women and Health, Christchurch . Polytechnic, Mondays, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., September 13 to November 8. An evening version of a popular daytime course, led by Jenny Heal. Women Without Jobs.

Christchurch Polytechnic, Mondays, 9.30 a.m. to 12 noon, September 13 to October 18. A very relevant course which discusses issues related to women’s work patterns, generating ideas for creating employment, and other ways of finding selfsatisfaction. Led by Alison Kuiper.

New Opportunities, Christchurch Polytechnic. Emphasis is on confidence building, communication skills and

community resources. Fridays, 9.30 a.m. to 1 p.m., September 17 to October 22, led by Alison Kuiper. At Queen Elizabeth II Park, Thursdays, 930 a.m. to 2 p.m., September 16 to October 21, led by Jenny Heal. Women and Trade Unions, Christchurch Polytechnic, Tuesdays, 10 a.m. to 12 noon, September 14 to October 19. Introducing women to the trade union movement; includes films, speakers and visits.

Quote The movement nill have to much more involve men than zee thought back then (at its inception). H'e should not deny them the things that used to define ziomen — the need for security, intimacy. — Betty Friedan, American author and feminist leader. Items for consideration in “Making It Happen” should be addressed to Mrs J. Steincamp, P.O. Box 237, Christchurch.