Feminists fear restructuring

Press, 26 September 1988, Page 6

Feminists fear restructuring

By

ANABRIGHT HAY

Concern that restructuring the Ministry of Women’s Affairs may lessen its service to women was expressed at the first Canterbury Feminist Conference. The conference was held at the Christchurch Polytechnic and its workshops and discussion groups stimulated lively debate from the 200 women who attended. One of the conference organisers, Ms Alison Kagen, said the idea of holding the conference had arisen from the interest aroused by a visiting American feminist, Dale Spender, earlier this year. Ms Kagen said the inadequacy of the education system in meeting women’s needs had been known for some time. What had to be determined was how to make the necessary changes, she said.

While education, employment and housing

issues were all discussed at the conference, health ' was one of the most widely discussed, Ms Kagen said. The conference backed many of the recommendations contained in Judge Silvia Cartwright’s report on the inquiry into the inadequate treatment of cervical cancer at National Women’s Hospital in Auckland. Women, attending the conference were keen to see breast and cervical cancer-screening programmes more widely available, improved teaching of ethical principles, communication skills, patient advocacy and shorter waiting lists for colposcopy examinations.

Ms Kagen said while many of the women attending the conference were already active in policy-making groups, some of the week-end’s recommendations would not be implemented immediately.