Overland literary journal > Latest > Activism > Melbourne Feminist Action’s inaugural meeting
Published · Activism

Melbourne Feminist Action’s inaugural meeting

Last night, as the wind howled and the rain clattered on Melbourne rooftops, Melbourne Feminist Action held its inaugural meeting, heating up Meeting Room 1 at Trades Hall with its enthusiasm for women’s rights.

Approximately 120 people attended: current women’s rights and activist organisations were well represented, as well as a diverse range of community groups and student bodies. But perhaps the most exciting part was the wonderful interest and enthusiasm shown by people who had never been to such a meeting before – who were not affiliated with any organisation but came because they wanted to put forward their ideas about how to combat sexism.

There was a strong focus on the reassertion of reproductive rights; in particular, the right to access abortion safely and easily. There was also significant focus on access and inclusion of women from marginalised groups, such as migrant women and ATSI women, as well as women who are faced with extra hurdles to their involvement in a campaign, whether that be due to education, physical condition, location, or simply having children. There was enthusiasm for consciousness-raising on sexism and domestic violence, and proposals ranged in scope from local, community-based initiatives to national campaigns.

Three proposals that received significant support from speakers in the room were put to a vote, and all three were agreed upon. They were:

1. A one-off en masse counter rally to defend the Fertility Control Clinic in East Melbourne on November 24. The FCC is a women’s health clinic on Wellington St that is picketed daily by anti-abortionists who harass, bully and intimidate patients and staff. (Jacinda talked a little about this in her most recent blog post for Overland.)

2. The set-up of an online Melbourne women’s rights activist information hub.

3. A resolution to come together again post-rally with the view to coming up with a campaign for International Women’s Day.

Our next meeting will be on Thursday November 8, 6:30pm at Trades Hall, to organise the counter rally. Again, everyone is welcome to attend: no campaign experience is necessary to be involved, and we hope to see you all there!

Finally, thank you to everyone for attending and sharing your ideas so frankly and respectfully. Thank you to Trades Hall for kindly donating the space. And thank you again to the following individuals and organisations who showed their support and endorsement for this preliminary meeting:

Monica Dux, writer and social commentator
Shakira Hussein, National Centre of Excellence for Islamic Studies, Asia Institute, University of Melbourne
Alison Croggon, author, poet and critic
Associate Professor Jo Wainer AM
Eva Cox, writer, feminist and social commentator
Marieke Hardy, writer and radio presenter
Emily Maguire, writer and social commentator
Karen Pickering, Cherchez La Femme
Jeff Sparrow, writer and editor, Overland
Jeannie Rea, President, NTEU
Noni Sproule, National Women’s Officer, National Union of Students
Debbie Brennan, Radical Women
AlisonThorne, Freedom Socialist Party
Marian Prickett, station manager, 3CR
Liz Griffiths, Monash Student Association Queer Department
Margarita Windisch, Socialist Alliance, Melbourne
TransGender Victoria
Simon Butler, Green Left Weekly
Campaign for Women’s Reproductive Rights
Fiona Patten, Australian Sex Party, Melbourne
Elena Jeffreys, representative, The Scarlet Alliance, Australian Sex Workers Association
SlutWalk Melbourne
Women’s Domestic Violence Crisis Service
Hiba Casablanca, Shakti Migrant and Refugee Women’s Support Group, Melbourne
La Barbe Australia
Sophie Cunningham, writer
Yasmine Lintvelt, Womyn’s Officer, RMIT Student Union
Sally Christiansen, RMIT Student Union
Sally-Anne Jovic, Women’s Officer, Monash Student Association Women’s Dept
Samiro Douglas, CEO, WIRE
Council of Single Mothers and their Children, Victoria
Jacinta Le Plastrier, writer/publisher
Jennifer O’Donnell-Pirisi, Women’s Officer, Victorian Trades Hall Council
Lisa Carey, National Coordinator, EMILY’s List Australia
Domestic Violence Victoria
Vixen Collective (Victoria’s peer sexworker organisation)
Judy Horacek, cartoonist

Stephanie Convery

Stephanie Convery is the deputy culture editor of Guardian Australia and the former deputy editor of Overland. On Twitter, she is @gingerandhoney.

More by Stephanie Convery ›

Overland is a not-for-profit magazine with a proud history of supporting writers, and publishing ideas and voices often excluded from other places.

If you like this piece, or support Overland’s work in general, please subscribe or donate.

Related articles & Essays

· Politics

Turning peaceful protesters into criminals—again

1
· Poetry

A poetry of justice: on Lionel Fogarty

Contribute to the conversation

  1. Do you think that the illustration of a woman clenching her fist etc. is a true feminist look for this age? (realise that this is a vintage illustration)

    Not meant as a criticism, just an observation. Not suggesting a passive approach at all. My PhD thesis was on a feminist topic and I have taught women’s sociology at a university for several years. There are many layers to this. Would like to embrace images that indicate that there is more than simply a ‘brawn’ ie male type image here.

    1. I think it’s a valuable & positive asset for a female to be grounded, confident & strong in her physicality.As well as being in control of her mind & confident in expressing herself on all levels. The feminist movement has enabled us to do this in some respects, but we still have a way to go. The reality is that we still live in a Patriarchy & the prevalence of male violence against females has been called amongst other things, a global crisis. Not before time, either. We’re up against centuries of the male of the species hard-wired to be aggressive & violent & that doesn’t change for the better overnight.I know it’s an ugly reality to confront, but unless we do, then I doubt whether the aggressors are just going to take it upon themselves to take the action & responsibilty required to change, to make it a safer World for females, (& non-violent males). So, despite knowing & feeling it is our birthright as human-beings to choose what we do,where we go, what we wear, as long as it isn’t violating anyone else, the reality is we need to be aware of the playing field.Have your wits about you.
      And as far as I can see, the stronger a female is in her body, the better for her.

  3. The Rosie the Riveter image is one that has been embraced by the feminist movement around the world and so is easilt and immediately recognisable as one with a proud history. I couldn’t think of a more positive, unifying image!

  4. Describing women as “ATSI women” is not appropriate to use an acronym as in terminology. Just noting

  5. Just because an image has been in place for a period of time and is well known, does not mean that it should remain as a timeless representation of feminism today. I’m not bothered by it, as a woman who identifies with both physical and intellectual strength and capability, although it could incorporate women in other non traditional roles as well. This image may put off some younger women that could make valid contributions, if they can’t get past the butch approach.

  6. Just stumbled across this blog… Wondering if the concept for a campaign to coincide with IWD eventuated and/or how this group that came together has developed into 2013? Many thanks!

  7. Hello all I love to read about the rights of women and children and found that the Arab-Muslim community has a real Bible in respect of women’s rights there is talk about the Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him says * Paradise is under the feet of mothers *
    But, unfortunately, Arab societies did not disintegrated as they were TPU
    Thank you

Comments are closed.