Update
Courtney Sloane
Hi everyone,
Just thought I’d give you an update on what’s been happening over the past couple of months before we get to NOWSA…
At the end of March, the Women’s Department contributed to the Base Funding Review to address the particular affects HECS increases have on women when combined with the gender pay gap. The report demonstrated that blanket HECS increases have a disproportionately greater effect on women students than on male students. If anyone would like to see the submission, let me know and I can flick you a copy.
April saw the roll-out of the Strong Unions Need Women campaign which focuses on the importance of women’s representation on campus and the need for strong women’s collectives. This campaign will continue into semester two following workshops at Education Conference and NOWSA that will focus on strengthening women’s representation at upcoming elections.
As I’m sure you’re aware, the Women’s Department also launched the findings of its Talk About It survey into women’s safety on campus. The survey questioned over 1500 women on their experiences of sexual violence and harassment, their perceptions of safety and their experiences of how well it was dealt with once reported. The survey found that 67% of respondents had experienced an unwanted sexual encounter and that of the respondents who had experienced sexual assault, harassment or stalking, only 3% reported it to their university and 2% to the police.
The report was covered extensively in the media both in Australia and overseas sparking a discussion about the role universities play in ensuring the safety of their students while studying.
Universities Australia, the White Ribbon Foundation and the Equality Rights Alliance all endorsed the Safe Universities Blueprint and we will be working towards implementing the 30 recommendations at universities around the country. The NUS Women’s Department will be working with government, universities and the Anti-Sex Discrimination Commissioner’s office to ensure progress on these recommendations. Again, if you would like a copy of the report – just let me know!
The Women’s Department’s relationship with the White Ribbon Foundation continues as we work together to roll out campus-based White Ribbon groups that will engage male students in ending violence against women. Workshops on how to set up these groups will be held at the Small & Regional and Education conferences and a similar one will be held at NOWSA. These will aim at addressing the attitudes men hold in relation to violence against women: an important part of tackling the problem as it is overwhelmingly men who commit violence against women.
In June, the Women’s Officer along with the other 56 representatives of the Equality Rights Alliance met with over 30 parliamentarians on the issues of affordable housing for women, income management and the wealth gap and the consolidation of anti-discrimination legislation. Cross party support on the issue of housing was very positive with a strong recognition of how overwhelming the problem is becoming.
NUS is also now represented through the Women’s Officer on the Advisory Group of the VAW national women’s alliance – an important step to getting tertiary issues onto the violence against women agenda of Government.
Over the coming months and following the half-yearly conferences, the Women’s Department will be further engaging with the issues of equal pay, positive body image and the importance of women’s representation. If you’re keen to get involved, get in touch!
A reminder that NOWSA is coming up and that if you and/or your collective members haven’t registered – make sure you get in and do it so that Kim can organise catering and venues. Also think about running a workshop!! If you have any questions, let Kim or myself know.
Hope to see you all soon,
Court
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Courtney Sloane
National Women's Officer
National Union of Students Inc.
E: wom...@nus.asn.au
W: www.unistudent.com.au
Suite 64, Trades Hall
54 Victoria Street
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Victoria 3053