Making it happen Forward-looking forum

Press, 8 November 1984, Page 16

Making it happen Forward-looking forum

Outlining social-priorities the way that women see them is the first step to designing a society that takes account of women’s reality. And this is the reality of half the world’s people, of 51 per cent of New Zealanders. That step is being taken by the series of Women’s Forums, organised by the Minister of Women’s Affairs, Ann Hercus. These are giving women everywhere unique opportunities to express their feelings, and communicate directly with the Government. That the need is there, and that many women wish to play a part in the path society takes was shown by the numbers attending the Christchurch Forum. About a thousand women were present at the afternoon workshops; 800 in the morning. Alison Kuiper, who chaired, the final plenary session, was delighted by the harmonious atmosphere, by the general agreement on the recommendations. “There were no protests; no-one came up afterwards to correct any of the recommendations put . forward by the various groups.” Mrs Kuiper commented on the numbers of conservative Christian women attending/and the opportunity it gave them to share views and issues with other women. Women’s Rights commissioner, Diana Shand, described it as a "forwardlooking step. We were discussing broad .policy, and there was plenty of room for recommendations.” The unpleasantness that accompanied the opening of the forum is a cause for the utmost regret. The provocative actions of the four men who refused to leave the hall at the end of Mrs Hercus’ speech were reportedly matched by the

aggressiveness of a small lesbian group trying to eject them. The protesters came mainly from Christians For Life, the New Zealand Working Women’s Council (Inc.), the Pro-Action Group, The Integrity Centre, and the Society for the Protection of the Unbom Child, according to forum organisers. "We are concerned at the abortion aspects of the United Nations convention on women,” said Bill Smith, a member of Christians For Life. Mr Smith took part in the protest. A long way to go Latest figures from the 1984 Manual of Statutory and Allied Organisations show there are now 360 official boards with no women members, compared to 209 with women members. There are no women on boards connected with the following government departments: Civil Aviation (3 boards); Defence (1); Earthquake and War Damage (1); Fisheries (6); Government Life (1); Government Printing Office (1); Overseas Trade (2); Police (2); Post Office (4);-Railways (1); Rehabilitation (1); Rural Bank (1); Security Intelligence Service (1) (one member only — the Prime Minister); State Insurance (1); Valuation (1); War Pensions (5). Boards haying the largest numbers of women are: Education Department: 25 of their 39 boards have 86 women compared to 404 men over all. • Health Department: 33 out of 70 boards have 86 women compared to 545 men. Justice Department: 29 out of 96 boards have 37 women compared to 277 men. Women figure particularly poorly on boards attached to Maori Affairs. Of the 241 total membership, only eight are women. Appointment Katherine Peet, president of the Canterbury branch, Workers’ Educational Association, has been appointed to the Ministerial Task Force on Life Long Learning. This will involve three days work a week in Wellington, and a practical exercise in teamwork and co-operating on household tasks for the Peet family. Award appeal . Donations are invited for the Rosemary Seymour

Research and Archive Award for Women, a fund set up at the recent Women’s Studies ' Association Conference, to assist research on women. The fund was established in honour of Rosemary Seymour, a Waikato university sociologist who was responsible for much of the current interest in women’s studies and research. Ms Seymour, who died in August after a long and courageous battle with cancer, taught the first women’s studies course in New Zealand. She initiated a series of bibliographies on women’s studies; founded the Women’s Studies Resource Room at Waikato University, and founded the Women’s Studies Association in 1976. Donations should be forwarded to: Rosemary Seymour Award Fund, c/W.S.A., P.O. Box 5067, Auckland. Looking both ways About 150 members of International Toastmistress met recently in Christchurch to celebrate Founder’s Month, During the course of a packed evening, they looked back in time to what had happend to women, and forward to the challenges of the future. An amusing hour-long collection of skits and historical reflections was presented by four Toastmistress Clubs. Before the astonished eyes of the Mayoress, Lady Hay, and male guests, the Christchurch Club enacted the birth of Toastmistress in 1938. A baby, complete with blue and gold club colours was born on stage. It was accompanied by the mother’s frantic cries, and a near-fainting father in a realistic hospital setting. Tusitala Club members then outlined personal, political, and social histories of the fifties and were followed by the Riccarton Club whose “Radio I.T.C. Riccarton” brought back memories of Beatlemania. An horrendous assortment of “Punky Narks of Hagley Park,” modest, middle-aged ladies dressed fearsomely in punk attire and multi-col-oured “hair,” met (courtesy of the Cagley Park Club) to vilify society and request that the Christchurch City Council recognise them as. living works of art. To speak after such a tour-de-force seemed a sad

anti-climax. However, as the invited guest, I did my best to emphasise the necessity for good programme planning as part of any public relations campaign. The function was chaired by Alice McJannet, who chairs the. I.T.C. Interclub Committee, with an amusing and poised running commentary given by Catherine Best, of the Hagley Club. Action on discrimination Getting the feeling that you’re being passed over at work? That your sex — or the colour of your skin has handicapped you in achieving any particular position, promotion or service? Now there is someone to talk it over with. Diana Shand, the recently appointed Women’s Rights Commissioner, has just taken up her duties in the Christchurch Human Rights, Commission (and Race Relations contact) office. The office is very shortstaffed at the present moment, as the former investigating officer, Rob Caird, has now left: Nevertheless, Ms Shand is there to assist you where discrimination may have occurred. Telephone 60-998. Infertility problems? You’re welcome to hear Dr Freddie Graham, a key member from Auckland of the In-Vitro Fertilisation Team, speaking at a meeting organised by the Christchurch Infertility Support Group. Dr Graham will talk about the time, costs and experiences that infertile couples from the South Island can expect if they attempt IVF. St Mary’s Church Hall, Church Lane; 5.15 p.m., Friday, November, 16. For further information, contact Carolyn, phone 852-133, or Sarah, phone 557-371. “Miss Asia” alternative For women who would rather celebrate women’s reality rather than be exposed to women as male fantasies, keep in mind the Alternative' to the “Miss Asia Beauty Pageant.” It’s a concert with such a wide variety of womanhood taking part being held at the Great Hall of the Arts Centre, Rolleston Avenue/ Worcester Street, from 8.15 p.m. on November 10.

Taking part will be members of Pacifica, presenting songs and dances from the Pacific Islands; Molosi Aurata; Regulation Bloomers; Liz Cook, a jazz and blues singer; Latin American women and the musical group Parody. It will be followed by a women’s dance, with music supplied by . Wayward Witches. Tickets available from ;he. Kate Sheppard Women’s Bookshop or at the door. ?2 waged); $1 (unwaged). Greenham Common Night A welcome back to the two women who went recently to Greenham Common as an expression of support from the people of Christchurch. Bring a dinner to share; see the film “Taking on the Bomb,” and hear Alison Kagan and Anela Carroll talk about their impressions of the women’s protest at Greenham. November 14, 6 p.m. Upper Common Room, Dux-de-Lux building, corner Hereford and Montreal Streets. Self defence A meeting on “Self Defence and the Neighbourhood Support Group” is being organised by National Organisation for Women on November 14, 7.30 p.m. at Aldersgate,, 309 Durham Street. The speaker will be Sarah Taylor, of the Sue Lytollis Self-Defence Course. All welcome. Quote “How insidious and allpervasive is this attitude of male superiority as revealed in the vocabulary of languages the world over. And this is unquestionably accepted and acquiesced in by all but a.miniscule minority of men and also women.” Indira Gandhi. Compiled by Jacqueline Steincamp. Items for consideration in Making It Happen should be sent to Mrs J. Steincamp, c/o Home and People Page, “The Press,” P.O. Box 1005, Christchurch.