Big N.Z. group at Zonta convention

Press, 21 June 1984, Page 10

Big N.Z. group at Zonta convention

About 100 New Zealand members of Zonta International will attend the organisation’s forty-seventh convention in Sydney, from June 23 to June 28. The first of Zonta's biennial international conventions to be held in Australasia, it is only the second held outside the North American continent. Christchurch’s three Zonta Clubs are sending four delegates to the convention. They are Joan Hawley, Jill Shiel, Sheila Bailey and Hanny van Tyl. About 20 Christchurch members will be attending. Jeanne Edgar, of Christchurch, immediate past governor of the Australia and New Zealand Zonta area, a member of the international nominating committee, is to be appointed to the longrange planning committee. This is regarded as Zonta’s top international committee.

Jeanne Edgar is the New Zealand organiser for the convention, which will be attended by about two thousand women. She has been to Sydney twice to assist with preparations. Together with Dr Judith Dey of Australia, Miss Edgar has organised a New Zealand night for all participants. This has meant providing a dinner in five different venues, with professional Maori concert parties at each venue, co-ordinated colour schemes, and New Zealand hostesses.

During the convention, she will help run training courses for incoming governors.

The incoming governor for this region is Vai Webster, of Napier. Glen Price, Zonta area director for New Zealand south of the Manawatu, is to be appointed to the international by-laws committee. One of the highlights of the convention will be a status of women panel, which will explore a full range of women’s issues. The moderator, Inge Egeskjold, will present Chief Folake Solanke, from South Africa, discussing Women and Legal Rights, “Good Housekeeping” magazine editor Margaret Adams discussing Women and the

Media, Dr Margaret Raphael 0.8. E., discussing Women and Health, and Dr Laura Kay, three-time recipient of the Zonta International Amelia Earhart Fellowship Award, discussing Women and Science.

Zonta’s Humanitarian Award will be presented during the convention to the American actress, Celeste Holme, for her support of UNICEF. An honorary membership will be presented to Dr Sally Ride, the first American woman in space.

Miss Edgar points out that Zonta is internationally oriented, with all branches supporting international projects designed to assist women. Zonta is raising funds for the installation of 4000 simple wells in Sri Lanka, under the umbrella of UNICEF. “Two thousand are already done, and we will be

considering at the convention whether or not to carry on with the other two thousand.”

“A major achievement for New Zealand Zonta has been in informing members about the United Nations’ Convention on discrimination against women. All our clubs have been discussing it,” says Miss Edgar. With the Zonta convention being held just across the Tasman, there are about 500 Zontians who will be touring New Zealand, both before and after the Sydney meeting.

Zonta is a service organisation for executive and professional women, with §3,000 members in 50 countries. Video porn The Wellington group, Women Against Pornography, is disputing a Film Censorship Board of Review

Making it happen

statement that there is a difference between material for viewing in the home and that for public exhibition. Much of the video pornography coming into the country should be outlawed in the same way material which incites racial hatred is outlawed, the group said. But the group supports the board’s call for greater "public debate on video pornography. The group’s spokesperson, Ms Caroline Massov, said it was becoming increasingly clear “privacy in the home” affords protection for men only. “Women are beaten and raped by their partners; and men rape their daughters, step-daughters, nieces and sisters behind suburban doors,” Ms Massov said. One video, available in Wellington shops, portrays a woman dressed up as a very young schoolgirl who is kidnapped by a group of two men and a woman, Ms Massov said. “One of the most disturbing aspects of this video is a particularly violent rape scene where not only is rape used as legitimate ‘entertainment,’ but the schoolgirl is blatantly shown as enjoying being raped,” she said. The group had also heard of children watching pornographic videos in the home. “One example we have been told about was where a young girl was forced to watch a ‘snuff movie — where women are actually sexually tortured and then murdered — and she ended up vomiting as the woman was being mutilated,” Ms Massov said.

Video brawn New Zealand-made videos aimed at widening career choices for women school leavers are now starting to appear on the market. Useful for schools, for women’s and parent groups — and why not men’s groups too? After all, they do most of the employing. A new one is, “There’s Always A First,” seven women in non-traditional

jobs — a coachpainter, a cabinetmaker, a truck driver, a glassblower, a lines repairer and two welders. These young women tell their own stories in their own words.

“The message that comes through very clearly is how much they enjoy their jobs,” says film-maker Claire Leighton. The video was made with assistance from the New Plymouth Young Women’s Christian Association, and the Department of Labour. It is the property of the Y.W.C.A. It can be hired for $l5, or bought for $l5O. Contact Claire at Urenui R.D. 44, Taranaki. An 18-minute V.H.S. videotape, “The Point of Doing Maths and Science,” recently made in the mathematics department of the University of Auckland, is also available for hire or purchase. It shows schoolgirls asking about careers that require maths, science and technical subjects, then gives insights into what such careers entail.

“It really is an excellent tape — every fourth former should see it,” comments Helen Wily, a former mathematics teacher. “It is particularly good because it is relevant to the New Zealand scene.”

It may be purchased for $l9 from the Department of Mathematics at Auckland University, or hired for ?5 for three days. Respect lacking “Women are not getting equal respect in the community,” Human Rights Commissioner, Diana Shand, told members of the Regional Women’s Decade Committee at its annual meeting this month. Miss Shand, a marketing consultant, believes that the lack of progress in improving attitudes to women reflects the way the country itself is lagging behind.

“We in New Zealand are not moving forward fast enough. I get very concerned when New Zealan-

ders pat themselves on the back, and talk about how well we are doing. In fact, we are not doing so well at all.” Diana Shand reminded her audience that women earn about $lOO a week less than men. While they may be getting executive jobs, they are often not getting the perks and the prospects for promotion that men are offered. “As well as setting personal goals, we should be defining ways about how we can forward the position of women,” she said. “These include influencing family and friends to work for women and recognise them; remembering that we are role models for our children and for other women; nominating and voting for women; and building up our own skill and experience.”

The meeting was addressed briefly by the chairwoman, Lady Hay, who presented the committee’s annual report. This principally described the committee’s informational services, such as the Travelling Road Show, the Equal Opportunities programme, and public meetings held on various topics. A.P.W. conference The regional Study Conference of the Association of Presbyterian Women will be held at Rangi Ruru school over the week-end of June 29 to July 1. The theme of “Eyes to See — Ears to Hear” will be ■explored in music and song, discussion, study, worship and workshops. Workshop speakers include the Rev. Len Pierce, Cynthia Spittle, Dr Anna Holmes, Carol Pirie, Rev. Ken Calvert, and the Rev. Uaita Tofilau. This year men are welcome. Enquiries and registrations to Mrs Scott, phone 583-469. Sexism in counselling

The Society for Research

on Women will hold a discussion evening on July 4 to look at aspects of Sexism in Counselling. Led by a well known counsellor. Rosemary Tredgold, it will look at the social attitudes of counsellors, and encourage participants to share their own experiences of counselling. At 7.30 p.m.. at the Y.W.C.A., Bealey Avenue. Lunch hour talks China visit: The Mayoress. Lady Hay, will talk about her recent visit to the People’s Republic of China in a meeting organised by the Regional Women’s Decade Committee on June 25 at 12 noon. Discussion invited. To be held in the Stringleman Room of the Canterbury Public Library, the meeting wil be open to all. Tea and coffee provided. ?!. Sexual Harassment, June 27: P.S.A. administration officer Leslie Keast will talk about sexual harassment in the workplace, how to deal with it, what employers are doing about it. Time: 12 noon. Place: Stringleman Room, Public Library. Tea and coffee provided. Organised by the Regional Women’s Decade Committee. $l. Courses for couples Step-families, Marriage Guidance Council, starts July 4, 7.30-9.30 p.m. 4 sessions. New skills to help you in your new family relationships. Phone 68-804. Creative Conflict for Couples, Marriage Guidance Council, starts July 5. “Fighting fair” can lead to greater self knowledge, freedom, security and intimacy. Phone 68-804. Quote One half of the world cannot understand the pleasures of the other. Jane Austen. Compiled by Jacqueline Steincamp. Items for consideration in “Making It Happen” should be forwarded to Mrs J. Steincamp, Home and People Page, The Press, P.O. Box 1005, Christchurch.