Racism? Sexism? No worries, we have it all!
Sexism? Racism? No worries, Australia's got it all! It is good to see that the Human Rights Commissioner on Race Discrimination has finally made a statement about the attacks against Indian students in Australia. The claims of Australian racism from ex-Telstra boss Sol Trujillo and now from hundreds of students from India aren't exaggerated, and I'm adding sexism into the mix.
Resilience and awards
I spent a couple of days this week with over 100 winners of the Australian Rural Women's Award. This Award which recognises the contribution that women make to the sustainability of rural Australia is into its 10th year. What impressed me most about these winning women was their resilience so I thought I'd spend a bit of time reflecting on the subject'
Football, wars and sex
I like football (AFL, actually) and used to think it was a healthy way of discharging boyish high spirits. But it has all become a bit serious lately. It seems rather than discharging high spirits, football encourages unhealthy attitudes to women, and football culture is now more about blokes exercising dominating and aggressive behaviour, with a heavy emphasis on normalising brutish behaviour toward women.
Take big bites
I am reliably informed that I was recently accused of biting off more than I could chew. That gave me something to chew on...but then I realised, it is true. Not only is it true, but I am glad it is true. Taking big bites is much better than never risking breaking a tooth, don't you think? But the accusation also caused me to reflect on the fellowship of women. Yes, you guessed, my accuser is a woman.
18 weeks in 18 months
Looks like I was right, and wrong. We are getting paid maternity leave, but not right now. In fact, we won't get it until we vote the Rudd government back into power in 2010. Sounds a bit like a game to me.
Paid maternity leave 2009
It looks a bit more promising - there is talk that this could be the year the federal government introduces a national paid maternity leave scheme. Mind you, the ACT government is leading the way by introducing their 18 week scheme for all their employees.
Women and ...X
The YWCA has done a great video that tells you all about three letter word that ends in 'X'.
iMove into iMovie
I tested out my video making skills out the other day, using iMovie for the first time, and am absolutely amazed at the result, which is a brief ad encouraging the government to introduce paid maternity leave. Take a look! And while you are there, perhaps you might like to join the NFAW Facebook group.
The minus one million dollar woman
The proportion of Australian women working in more highly skilled occupations has been increasing since 1987, but women's wealth has not kept pace with the increase.
Taxing times
I know, I am about to go on about taxation again - but it is really important. Patricia Apps has been trying to get the message across for some time that women are being discriminated against under the current system, but because the subject is so complex most people, including me, haven't really understood how.
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