Join in International Women's Day (IWD) 8 March 2012
Join in International Women’s Day (IWD) 8 March 2012
NTEU Branches are once again organising and joining in events on and beyond their campuses to celebrate International Women’s Day this Thursday 8 March.
While initially struck in support of working women’s rights to organise for better wages and better lives, these days IWD is celebrated around the world by women (and men) to mark the economic, political and social achievements of women.
Each year the United Nations declares an overall International Women's Day theme. The 2012 theme is Empower Rural Women – End Hunger and Poverty. This theme is an abrupt reminder that while there is much to celebrate, the reality remains that women and girls throughout much the world are more likely to be poor, hungry and in danger because they are female.
Educational International is continuing to build on the outcomes of the On the Move for Equality, EI’s First World Women’s Conference held last January. EI has adopted an Action Plan which will shape gender equality work for the coming four years and beyond, focusing on three priorities: 1/ Gender equality in unions; 2/ Girls’ access to and participation in quality education, and 3/ the economic empowerment of women. See http://www.ei-ie.org/
The European Parliament's 2012 theme is "Equal pay for work of equal value". This theme is particularly relevant in Australia as we celebrate the achievement of the Australian Services Union and supporters in gaining greater pay equity in the recognition that jobs in the community services sector were underpaid as they are considered of lower value because mainly women do them. Also, in Australia more women are enjoying paid parental leave than ever before. And more women are completing school and university. However, we are still fighting opposition to amendments to the Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Amendment Bill 2012. There is also justified concern that the consolidation of federal anti-discrimination laws may diminish the particularities of different forms of discrimination.
The recent Australian Law Reform Commission Report on Family and Domestic Violence http://www.alrc.gov.au/publications/family-violence-and-commonwealth-laws-improving-legal-frameworks-alrc-report-117 found that there is still a long way to go in finding legal redress for the outcomes of family violence and the creation of safe and secure futures for affected adults and children. Trade unions are currently examining how we can better support workers dealing with domestic or family violence. One of the most important things for women in such situations is to hold on to their jobs and yet this can be very difficult as they may have to deal with the violent partner continuing to act against them in going to work and at work. Women may also have to attend many appointments during work hours as they seek to secure their and their children’s future livelihood and safety. The NTEU National Council Meeting last October agreed to examine how we could pick up these issues in next round of enterprise bargaining starting this year.
Jeannie Rea
National President
What’s happening in your Branch or Division
Below is the beginning of a list of IWD events sent in from Divisions and Branches. Please post details of your activities before and after the events – with pictures.
University of South Australia
The theme for this year is 'Women learning from each other, demanding a share of the future!'
Join a march from UniSA City West Campus, to Parliament House and then State Library Lawns. This year's march will encompass speeches, music and street theatre.
University of Queensland
Celebrating and Remembering Women’s and Gender Studies at UQ
2012 is the 40th anniversary of Women's and Gender studies teaching at UQ. A series of celebratory events this year will be launched by a seminar on International Women's Day (Thursday 8 March 2012, 2-4.30) with speakers including activist Merle Thornton, central to the setting up of the first course, as well as Professor Carole Ferrier and others who have played a major role in the history and development of this area of study.
Central Queensland University
Everything is possible!
Morning tea to celebrate International Women’s Day
NSW Division
International Women’s Day 2012 “Connecting Girls, Inspiring Futures”
Unions NSW IWD Women Unionists Networking Function: Unions NSW has invited a number of young women unionists to speak about their experience of unionism.
IWD March and Picnic in First Fleet Park, Circular Quay: Starting at 11am and marching to First Fleet Park at Circular Quay to meet up with the IWD Picnic (from 12 noon)
ACT Division
Celebrating International Women’s Day 2012 by supporting a local initiative: NO Sweat Fashions.
The mission of No Sweat Fashions is to create meaningful and long-term social change for newly arrived refugees and other migrants in Canberra who face social isolation and barriers to employment and education. By means of its trading activities, No Sweat will address these problems by creating jobs, providing training, facilitating community engagement promoting social inclusion. NO Sweat Fashions are having a fundraising dinner on13 March, 2012.
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[ 0 ] Melbourne IWD rally and march; Sat March 9, 1.00pm @ State Library
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