NAVIGATION

NAVIGATION

GEIFN | REPORTS | CoPP | PRESS | For Progress | Thursday 1 March 2018 | 6.30-8.30pm

[Report is compiled from multiple public addresses, multiple sources made over multiple publication dates]

A Reception for International Women’s Day 2018.

Featuring inspiring women including:
Carly Findlay Blogger, disability and appearance activist
Celeste Liddle Columnist, union organiser and Indigenous rights activist.
Jo Stanley Radio and TV presenter, comedian, and writer.

Where: St Kilda Town Hall | 99a Carlisle Street, St Kilda, Victoria 3182

United Nations International Women’s Day 8 March is celebrated around the world. Leave no woman behind. Together we can empower women across the globe.
“Women’s knowledge and expertise as leaders, planning for and responding to disasters and conflict can help protect and empower women and girls so that they can survive and thrive.”
Carly explained how her quite obvious skin condition made her an advocate for disability awareness every time she left her front door. She discussed the low employability of disabled people generally, and how the internet and social media has allowed her employment, flexible working conditions (able to work from bed through periods of debilitation) and expanded career opportunities. Her lack of role-models in children’s literature has inspired her to undertake writing her first book. Carly inspired commentators when discussing inclusiveness to actually including representatives who are actually disabled, sharing the mantra “nothing about us, without us”. The audience were encouraged to continue the conversation by Googly searching Disability Visibility Project

Celeste explained how her commitment to an effective reconciling of Australia’s past, present and future is an ongoing work in progress. She has championed the growing “Invasion Day” movement, lamenting that even though the Melbourne event drew over 60,000 people, it’s coverage in mainstream media was generally diminished to mean “just move date of Australia Day”. Effective reconciliation begins with acknowledging the past, cooperating with the present and collaborating for a shared united future.

Jo recalled how her and then comedy partner’s filmed naked running woman sketch led to being offered a radio position on a high rating radio station, ostensibly because of their ‘cheekiness’. She spoke on the subsequent realisations through the constraints placed upon them, usually by male bosses informed by bias and white middle-aged male syndrome substantiated by questionable audience research. Jo has learnt to make no apologies for being directly speaking, loud in volume or shrill when laughing.

Speaking, owning and living one’s truth starts at birth, continues through life and is an ongoing journey.
All spoke to the challenges faced by women of faceless Internet Trolls, false facts and toxicity of hate speech. Emphasising self-care, establishing personal boundaries and knowing one’s limits help keep the senses of humour intact.
It is up to all of us to acknowledge the equal worth of every individual, create opportunities where there are none, and give advantage to those who are under represented, misheard or demonised.

On behalf of Buddhist Council Victoria Interfaith (bINTER) and Glen Eira Interfaith Network (GEIFN), thankyou to Organisers and Participants working tirelessly and individually, and in teams and publicly to celebrate gains, highlight opportunities and fostering team spirit to addressing today's imbalances together. Received with gratitude.

MORE:
City of Port Phillip
Executive & Councillors' Office
Samuel Yeo, Executive Assistant to the Mayor
St Kilda Town Hall, 99a Carlisle Street, St Kilda, Victoria 3182
Tel: 03 9209 6431
Email: civicevents@portphillip.vic.gov.au
Website: www.portphillip.vic.gov.au