Feminism - a dirty word?

By Davina Jones

The question is asked - is feminism still relevant? Do we still really need to fight for equal rights for women? I admit that over time I have become complacent. I have the same pay rate as a male doing the same job. I can walk down the street without fear. I can talk and confidently feel my opinion has been heard, sometimes even valued.

Within five minutes of the International Women's Day breakfast starting, I had the answer to my question.

Councillor Jane Prentice of the Brisbane City Council was talking. “The strength of the Campbell 'Can Do' Team is the large group of women Councillors doing the 'Do'”.

Then came the voice.

“You're dreaming!” shouted the man sitting next to me. Yes. In 2009, at the International Women's Day breakfast, the idea of women being able to be a strong driving force in politics is still being questioned. Yet we have a female Premier of Queensland, a female Deputy Prime Minister of Australia, and a female Governor General for the very first time in our country's history.

I admit I was angry. But this anger was to be overshadowed by something else - a story greater than me, the table I was sitting at, the room I was sitting in, and the uneducated person sitting beside me.

The UNIFEM breakfast seeks to highlight not only the successes of women, but the injustices many still face on a daily basis.

The problems facing women in the world today are enormous. There are numerous documented cases of Governments using rape as a systematic tactic of war (Bosnia-Kosovo conflict, Democratic Republic of Congo), women being hunted for sport (Juarez, Mexico) and the deprivation of education and basic  freedoms such as visiting a market to do shopping (Taliban, Afghanistan). These cases are horrific, but sadly are not alone, and are rarely talked about or reported in the media.

Ms Lulu Mitshabu, Africa Program Coordinator of CARITAS addressed the audience on the silent genocide occurring in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Some frightening statistics reported by CARITAS include:

• Over 5 million people have died due to poverty and conflict in Congo since 1998. That is over 1/12 of the entire population of Congo.
• Over 1200 people are dying on a daily basis.
• Over 2000 raped every month as a systematic tactic of war.
• It is estimated over 60% of soldiers ordered to conduct these atrocities are HIV positive.

While these statistics are shocking, Mitshabu remains hopeful. Partnerships are being formed by agencies (including CARITAS) to ensure:

• • Medical care and counselling for victims of sexual violence
  • Medical training for staff at the Maternal Charity Hospital
  • Counselling sessions before and after HIV testing
  • Counselling sessions to reconcile couples affected by severe trauma
  • Judicial support for victims of sexual violence.

But what can we do?

• Educate yourself. Listen to the stories of others and use them to encourage others to get involved. Education is nothing without action. Visit www.caritas.org.au/congo to learn more about the conflict in the DRC.
• Start local. The injustices faced by many women within our own back yard, particularly Indigenous women, are in many cases just as horrific as those reported from overseas but are not reported or discussed. Head to www.brissc.org.au to find out about local campaigns targeting violence against women.
• Support your fellow female colleagues - messages of kindness and support can mean the world to someone who has none. It costs you nothing.

Edmund Bourke said that for evil to triumph, all it takes is for good people to do nothing (actually he said for 'good men to do nothing' - but we'll forgive him). So I ask you - what will YOU do to effect change? How will you ensure we don't lose precious ground gained by the freedom fighters of both past and present?

Make this International Women's Day one of action.

(Oh, and the man sitting beside me? He became very quiet during the presentation. I like to think he learnt something about true equality. We live in hope.)