Report on International Women’s Day 2021

Paradigm Shift on 12 March 2021 (4ZZZ fm 102.1 Friday’s at Noon) featured excerpts of speeches from International Women’s Day (IWD) in Brisbane (Meanjin) and speeches from International Working Women’s Day and IWD held on 6 March 2021.

It is important to acknowledge and honour the work done by aboriginal grandmothers, aunties and mothers to maintain their language and culture through their children under truly difficult circumstances. Here is the show from that day.

We give both national and international perspectives to IWD by playing speeches given by Julia Gillard in the Australian parliament and another by Alexandria Occasio-Cortez in the US congress. Today’s program includes speeches and songs by strong radical women.

Some of the speeches given are personal and some are confrontational.

LeftPress Printing Society provided speaking equipment to both IWD and IWWD rallies. Ian Curr attended both rallies operated the sound equipment and recorded speeches given on the day. It is not possible to play the full program of the day’s events on Paradigm Shift so selected excerpts are broadcast to report the major issues raised.

A number of the women who spoke at IWD 2021 had been involved in a campaign for women’s rights for over 40 years. Many women in that struggle were arrested on several occasions suffering severe government repression on their political activities during that period. Some were dragged off the street and strip-searched in the watchhouse by male police.

Update: An article titled “Tranzmission: and origin story” by Ezarco Dos Santos in the 2023 4ZZZ Radio Times issue said that “Stocky (a.k.a. station dad) had been at Zed probably no longer than a week when a long running program broadcast some unsavoury TERF (trans-exclusionary radical feminist) rhetoric.” The article went on to say “we don’t always get it right. Sometimes despite our best intentions we get it wrong, and that’s okay.”

It is true, live radio does not always get it right but there should be respect shown to all parties especially to those involved in struggle. The women’s movement provided the backbone of the democratic rights struggle in the late 1970s. Women led the struggle and organised under very difficult circumstances.

The 4ZZZ Radio Times article says: “trans-people have the highest suicide rates of any marginalised community in the world. 51% of trans-people have attempted to take their own life in their lifetime.”

One of the most important struggles in the late 70s and early 80s were women’s campaigns to control their own bodies. Many women have died as a result of backyard abortions and medical procedures that should never have been performed. This was forced on them by cruel and ignorant governments in Queensland led by religious fanatics and corrupt conservatives.

We call people’s attention to these important facts. Political understanding is difficult to maintain in times when governments and media exploit sensation and mis-information. Having antagoistic groups of people shouting personal abuse at each other being separated by cordon of police is no way to resolve such issues.

Speeches
Alexandria Occasio-Cortez speaks out after Republicans sexist attack.
Anna McCormack on men’s violence.
Brian Sullivan on ‘creeps’ speech.
Calypso – Anti-Poverty Network
Hannah on Poverty.
Julia Gillard’s anti-misogny speech.
Kath Deves speaking on behalf of Nerissa Scott – Save Women’s Sport (Australasia)
Sian – Anti-Poverty Network and Feminist Action

Support for Transgender people:

• Q Life 
• qlife.org.au 
• 1800 184 527
• Australia-wide anonymous, LGBTI peer support
• Web Chat available 

and

• 1800 RESPECT
• www.1800respect.org.au
• 24/7 national Sexual Assault, Family Violence & Councilling Service 

It is important to note 4ZZZ’s ongoing support & solidarity with the Trans community.

No progressive group should be discriminated against.

Playlist
Jumping Fences – Yo Vengo a Ofrecer Mi Corazon
Helen Reddy – I am Woman
Allie Sherlock and the three busketeers – Creep (by Radiohead)

Image – Snr Constable John Watt arresting a woman at the 1979 IWD rally in Brisbane (Meanjin) at KGSq.

Ian Curr
1 April 2021
[Updated 22 Mar 2023]
4PR – Voice of the People

Reference

Street Marches 1977-1979