|
Speakout
Bulletin December 2011
Speakout’s 2011 AGM
On the 14th December, Immigrant Women’s Speakout Association held its 26th Annual General Meeting at Parramatta Town Hall On the 14th December, Immigrant Women’s Speakout Association held its 26th Annual General Meeting at Parramatta Town Hall. Women gathered from across NSW to celebrate the year of work and success achieved by the organisation.
Management Committee Chairwoman, Neena Sinha, made her report saying, “…it has been a very busy and productive year for Immigrant Women’s Speakout. We continue to aim to be a part of social change” and commended the staff, and partners of the organisation for the year’s work.
NSW Greens Senator, Lee Rhiannon, attended as the event’s guest speaker. She spoke about the ‘Climate Package’ and the opportunities for immigrant and refugee women in clean energy industries and a zero-emissions economy. It was her vision that the Greens would be able “…to deliver these changes, [so] we can ensure there will be many more jobs.” She also touched on the importance of public education in schools, TAFE and universities in providing the skills necessary to find work in these industries. ‘Education should be free’, Rhiannon said of young people being deterred by the costs and debt that face them when entering tertiary education. The senator also took questions from AGM participants which covered the role of multicultural education at TAFE, domestic violence prevention and support programs, and even the idea of a sustainable and green women’s centre and office for Speakout! Speakout thanked all 2011 Management Committee members. Speakout welcomed and congratulated the new Management Committee members for 2012: Aurelia Gallardo, Bich Thuy Pham, Jorgette Sonter, Kyungja Jung, Laurie Berg, Myra Hechanova, Nurse Pasipanodya, Shirley Atkin, and Pallavi Sinha. A special award was also presented to Emina Kovac, Speakout’s Administration Officer, for her 11 years of service and dedication to the organisation. “I’m honoured to be with the organisation that is doing such amazing work for migrant and refuge women in NSW” The AGM also featured wonderful dance performances by the Asian Women at Work Hurstville Dancing Group, Vyshali Dharmagesan from the Sydney Kalabavanam Dancing School, and Bollywood dancer, Satwant Kaur. Speakout looks forward to another great year of projects, events, and collaboration with its members and partners. In 2012 we celebrate our 30th Anniversary, a milestone for our organisation, which we hope you will come and celebrate with us. For a copy of the 2010 – 2011 Annual Report or the Speakout Strategic Plan, you can email: women@speakout.org.au Empty Shoes: Domestic Homicide Installation ‘16 Days of Activism to Stop Violence Against Women’ Every year, the ‘16 Days of Activism to Stop Violence Against Women’ runs from 25th November until 10th December, starting off with White Ribbon Day and finishing with Stop DV Day. This year Immigrant Women’s Speakout Association, in conjunction with the NESB DV Network, organised a street art installation to raise awareness about domestic and family violence through talking about domestic violence homicide.
Speakout hosted the public installation at Parramatta in Church Street Mall. “Empty Shoes” represented women and children who had been killed in domestic violence homicide. Their confronting and true stories were attached to pairs of shoes to symbolise the absence of these victims. The installation engaged locals and gave them information about how to get help for themselves or others in their area.
Speakout staff and volunteers were able to talk to the public about women’s safety and provide information on the definitions of domestic violence, statistics on domestic violence related crime, and ways of getting help or assistance. Members of Parramatta Holroyd Family and Domestic Violence Committee also joined Speakout to provide support by explaining counselling and offering those services to women who might be in domestic or family violence situations.
“Empty Shoes” provided the opportunity for the public to learn about and reflect on real instances of domestic violence homicide, and open discussion on domestic violence in Parramatta.
The installation was also hosted across NSW by other domestic violence committees and organisations in the following areas:
We hope that “Empty Shoes” will be hosted in more areas throughout NSW in 2012.
Submission to NSW Parliament on domestic violence trends and issues The NSW Parliament made a call for submissions on the issues and trends of domestic violence in NSW in November this year. The inquiry focused on strategies to reduce breaches and improve compliance with Apprehended Domestic Violence Orders (ADVOs), early intervention strategies, and causes behind the increase of women being proceeded against by police for domestic violence related assault. Immigrant Women’s Speakout Association submitted its own paper, which addressed the need for basic legal rights education for newly arrived migrants, the abuse of older CALD women in the community, lack of culturally sensitive housing, and the issues of CALD women in rural and regional NSW.
Speakout received a special mention in a letter to the inquiry from Sophie Cotsis, a Member of the NSW Legislative Council, and was also referenced by Women’s Legal Services NSW during the 7th November public hearing;
“…Immigrant Women’s Speakout who have put a submission to this inquiry on this issue have emphasised culturally appropriate education programs, culturally appropriate emergency accommodation, and culturally competent training for staff. I think those are all recommendations that we would also support.” (Edwina MacDonald, Law Reform and Policy Coordinator, Women’s Legal Services NSW)
Speakout continues to monitor the progress of the parliamentary inquiry and looks forward to positive changes and support for migrant and refugee women escaping domestic violence in NSW. Speakout delegates participate in the Sydney Alliance Western Sydney Transport Assembly After attending the Sydney Alliance Founding Assembly, Speakout participated in the November Sydney Alliance Transport Assembly held in Penrith. At this event the Speakout contingent accompanied Geoff Lee, MP for Parramatta, on a train to Penrith. During the trip, Speakout – together with other Sydney Alliance members – ran a survey on the opinions and recommendations of the train passengers on that trip, to discover what the community had to say about transport in Western Sydney. The principal items of the survey were collated and presented at the Sydney Alliance Penrith Assembly. The participants of the Sydney Alliance transport assembly called for public transport that is available within 400 metres from each stop and at a frequency of every 15 minutes. Above all, the assembly demands transport that is safe, clean, accessible, and affordable. Holiday Notice The Speakout Office will be closed from 23rd December, 2011 and will re-open on 9th January, 2012 The Speakout Management Committee, staff, and volunteers wish everyone a safe and happy holiday. If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, you can ring the NSW Domestic Violence Line for help on 1800 656 463. If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 000 as soon as possible for police, fire brigade, and ambulance services. To access an interpreter, call the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS): 13 14 50. Visit Speakout online at:
|
||
Immigrant Women's Speakout Association of NSW
PO Box 9031, HARRIS PARK NSW 2150
Ph: (02) 9635 8022 Fax: (02) 9635 8176
www.speakout.org.au