Making It Happen Forward-looking Forum (Press, 8 November 1984)

A series of Women’s Forums have been initiated by New Zealand’s Minister of Women’s Affairs, Ann Hercus, aimed at shaping society in a manner that acknowledges women’s realities and perspectives. The forums are designed to facilitate direct communication between women and the Government, with a strong showing of about 1,800 women attending the Christchurch Forum alone. The atmosphere was largely positive, with chair Alison Kuiper noting a lack of protests against the recommendations discussed. Despite the constructive nature of the event, the forum was marred by an incident involving four male protesters from various groups who refused to leave, resulting in tensions with a small lesbian group also present. The participation of conservative Christian women in the forum underscored the diversity of opinions present. Women’s Rights Commissioner, Diana Shand, viewed the forum as a significant step forward, allowing a broad discussion on policy. However, the need for continued advocacy was highlighted by recent figures showing a substantial gender disparity in representation on official boards. While there were 360 boards with no women members, only 209 had female representation. Notably, several government departments had no women on their boards, including Civil Aviation, Defence, and the Security Intelligence Service. In a positive development, Katherine Peet has been appointed to the Ministerial Task Force on Lifelong Learning, indicating ongoing efforts to involve women in key decision-making roles. The forum also saw the establishment of the Rosemary Seymour Research and Archive Award for Women, which aims to support research on women's issues. This fund honours Rosemary Seymour, a pioneering figure in women’s studies in New Zealand, who passed away earlier in 1984. Further events include a celebration by the International Toastmistress organisation, which fused historical reflections with future challenges, and announcements of various activities focusing on women’s realities, such as a concert offering an alternative to traditional beauty pageants and discussions on self-defence. Diana Shand is also available for individuals facing discrimination, affirming support for those who feel overlooked due to gender or race. A meeting regarding infertility issues is scheduled, featuring Dr Freddie Graham from Auckland, providing insights into the costs and experiences related to in-vitro fertilisation for couples facing fertility challenges. Finally, the article includes a quote from Indira Gandhi addressing the pervasive nature of male superiority, culturally recognised worldwide, and encourages submissions for future reflections and considerations on women's issues.

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