WORLD MARCH FOR WOMEN 2000
The World March of Women in the Year 2000 (WMW2000) is a worldwide women-led campaign aiming at the elimination of violence against women and of poverty worldwide. Women working on the seven-month campaign have developed a list of world and local demands. These demands include the cancellation of Third World debt, an end to structural adjustment programs, the implementation of legislative frameworks to ensure that rights to pay equity, employment, decent housing, education, health care and social protection, life-long income security and a minimum social wage are protected. Women in 157 countries women have worked together to develop this campaign. Many events have already been held around Australia since International Women's Day. These events have included a day of action organised by the NSW Central Coast Community Women's Health Centre Ltd, a workshop on Magnetic Island with 26 women from north Queensland, a one-day conference organised by the NSW branch of the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom, and a two-day trade union women's congress organised by the Australian Council of Trade Union. A number of fundraising events have also been held. In Perth, they have already held two well-attended fund-raising and awareness-raising events: a film night showing Of Hopscotch and Little Girls and a night of debate and discussion called "Flaunting Feminism" in which a large group of women and some men debated the benefits of feminism. Although an application was made to the Federal Government's Office of the Status of Women for a relatively small amount of money ($7,500) to assist in developing this campaign, the application was knocked back. This has not deterred the many women around Australia who have rallied together in the seven-month campaign. It's not too late to join in the activities: NEW SOUTH WALES PEACE AND FRIENDSHIP PICNIC Sat 7th October 11am-4pm Peace Pavilion, Centennial Park (cnr Park Drive and Grand Drive), Sydney Family picnic for all Welcoming ceremony by Aboriginal Elder ISOBEL COE from Aboriginal Tent Embassy, Victoria Park Jaslyn Hall from Radio Triple J Update on WMW2000 by Dorothy Buckland-Fuller, national co-ordinating committee for WMW2000 Bring a blanket, notebook & picnic lunch More info: Dorothy Buckland-Fuller (02) 9968 3910 email: dbfuller@bigpond.com CROSS CULTURAL SHARINGS Sat 7th October 11am-4pm Manly Corso, North Shore, Sydney Opened by Deputy Mayor of Manly Julie Hegaghty Speaker Quentin Bryce, former EO Commissioner MC John Jarratt, actor. Banners made by Aboriginal children Choir, dance groups, singers, much more More info: Sylvia Harding, phone and fax: (02) 9913 7364 LUNCHTIME EVENT Newcastle Swansea Workers' Club Music and speeches Contact: Betty Mawdsley, phone: (02) 4971 3507 and fax (02) 4971 4264 FILM EVENING Wed 11th October 6.30pm Cronulla Cinema, Cronulla Plaza, Sydney Billy Elliot (M) A young boy in an English mining village, "prefers ballet to boxing ..." Wine, live music, introduction by director Jane Tsagias, speakers Proceeds to International Women's Development Agency for a specific project Tickets $15, ph: Fiona (02) 9523 0555 (BH) QUEENSLAND VIRTUAL BUS TOUR http://www.dvrc.org.au/virtualbus.html Queensland Domestic Violence Services Network has embarked on an event that will take the form of a virtual bus trip beginning in far north Queensland on September 15, 2000. During this long journey it is hoped that thousands of women and children will virtually jump aboard the bus to be part of the global "march". To get on board, phone the Domestic Violence Resource Centre (DVRC) on (07) 3217 2311 or email them at: dvrc@ribbon.net.au or visit their website at http://www.dvrc.org.au/virtualbus.html MARCH & MULTICULTURAL FESTIVAL Sun 15th October 11am for 11.30am Meet at Suncorp Park (Corner Adelaide & George Sts) Brisbane March to City Botanical Gardens, join in Austcare Multicultural Festival, deliver large symbolic signature support card to Ms Judy Spence, Minister for Women's Policy, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders Policy and for Fair Trading VICTORIA PICNIC/CROSS-CULTURAL ACTIVITY Sat 7th October 12 noon-2pm Women's Peace Garden, Epsom Road, Kensington, Melbourne (Melways 42, J2) BYO Picnic/Cross-cultural sharing activity, music, dancing, official opening 1 pm by Glenys Romanes, MLC Contact: Kensington Neighbourhood House: (03) 9376 6366 BRUNCH FOR PEACE Sat 7th October 11am-2pm Peter Scullin Reserve Mordialloc Foreshore, Melways 92, E1 Music, poetry & friendship. BYO Picnic With Mary Rimington, Jean Melzer, & Annette Siberras Contacts — Dalene: 9772 2269, Mairi: 9587 8757 WOMEN'S SONG & DANCE EVENT Sat 7th October 2pm-5pm Leinster Hall, Leinster Grove, Thornbury, Melbourne, Melways 30 D5/6 A participatory afternoon in association with the Darebin Coalition for the International Year for the Culture of Peace. Afternoon tea available. Contact: Ursula at Thornbury Neighbourhood House (03) 9480 0466 SOUTH AUSTRALIA WOMEN'S SONG AND DANCE FEST Sat 7th October 7.30pm-10.30pm Nexus Cabaret, Lion Arts Centre, Corner North Terrace & Morphett St, Adelaide Evening of music, song, dance & fun Performers include Eileen Darley, the Kura Yelo (an Aboriginal seniors' choir), the Southern Women's and Trade Union choirs Welcome to country from Aboriginal elder, Josie Agius Speaker, Katrina Power, Chairperson of Tandanya Nikki Mortier, MC and much more! Bookings YWCA, Adelaide, ph: 8227-0155. Cost: $10 and $5 Concession, children $2 WOMEN ONLY DINNER Fri 20th October 7.30pm Australian Education Union (SA Branch) AEU, 163 Greenhill Road, Parkside Cost: $25 Food by Maya Cafe Complimentary champagne BYO Max seating 65, bookings essential Fax: 8373 1254 or email: gshepherdson@aeusa.asn.au Cheques payable to AEU (SA Branch) Women's Dinner All proceeds will go to the Fatima Jinnah Women's University in Pakistan CANBERRA WOMEN'S SONG & DANCE FEST Sat 7th October 12 noon-5pm Canberra Museum and Gallery in Civic Singers, dancers, poets & speakers, displays, information sharing tables. A day for everyone to join in and celebrate WESTERN AUSTRALIA CULTURAL FESTIVAL Sat 7th October 1pm-8pm Fremantle Arts Centre, 1 Finnity Street, Fremantle (used to be the old Women's Asylum) A diverse program, from belly dancing to Irish dancing, from volleyball to workshops/talking circles Stalls with information and promoting awareness about women's issues NATIONAL CONTACTS NATIONAL: WMW 2000 national coordinating committee c/o Women's International League for Peace and Freedom GPO Box 2094, Adelaide SA 5001 email: cathpete@camtech.net.au fax: 08 8377 0706 ph: 08 8296 4357 web site for Australia: http://www.uq.net.au/march2000/ web site for overseas: http://www.ffq.qc.ca/marche2000