5000 Attend Festival (Press, 12 March 1984)
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Summary: 5000 Attend Festival (Press, 12 March 1984)
On 10 March 1984, over 5,000 attendees participated in the inaugural International Women’s Day Festival held in North Hagley Park, Christchurch. The event, celebrated as a significant success by its organisers, featured contributions from 42 different organisations, including The Health Alternatives for Women, the Salvation Army, the Electrical Association for Women, the Young Women’s Christian Association, and a local lesbian group, all of which set up displays for the day. The festival offered a diverse range of entertainment, including performances by three women’s bands, two singers, and a puppet show aimed at engaging the audience. However, the event was not without controversy. The Society for the Protection of the Unborn Child (S.P.U.C.), which was banned from participating in the festival due to a disagreement with the organising committee, set up a stall just outside the official festival area to represent its viewpoint. S.P.U.C. spokeswoman Mrs Patricia Ratrhelnr claimed that the group had succeeded in maintaining visibility during the event, although she noted there were instances of “some fairly choice language” directed at them from individuals holding extreme views. Mr Philip Burdon, the member of Parliament for Fendalton, expressed his discontent with the decision to exclude S.P.U.C. from the festival, arguing that it represented a legitimate viewpoint deserving of consideration, regardless of differing opinions on the matter. The festival took place amidst this tension, demonstrating both the celebration of women's achievements and the ongoing debates surrounding women's rights and associated issues in society.
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