Beyond the International Women’s Day Lunch: Resources for Women’s Activism & Cistem Change

Introduction

International Women’s Day (IWD) is a global day celebrated annually on March 8 celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. It focuses on the women’s rights movement, bringing attention to issues such as gender equality and women’s reproductive rights. We think this day should be everyday.

As we go marching, marching, we’re standing proud and tall. The rising of the women means the rising of us all. – Bread and Roses song

Cistem: A system which privileges cisgender people and marginalizes transgender people. – Wiktionary

Here are resources for women’s activism and cistem change for IWD and beyond. Are you ready to take your next step for gender justice and liberation?

Connect with Others

• Join a feminist organisation and/or support existing campaigns. See Fair Agenda, The Sydney Feminists link directory and the Wikipedia Feminist Organisations in Australia list. You can also join or start a feminist Meet-Up group.
• Join your union and connect with the women’s caucus in your union or state Trades & Labor Council.
• Join a bookclub such as Women’s Melbourne Network, Women’s Electoral Lobby Feminist Book Clubs, or these online options.
• Start an Affinity Group for Non-Violent Direct Action or start a Consciousness Raising Group.
• Donate to the WELA Giving Circle, Trans Justice Project, Flat Out, Sisters Inside, Djirra, Gunawirra, or your local women’s organisations.

Skill Up

• Watch sessions from the ChangeMakers Organising School and Momentum webinars.
• Try the Psychology of Political Activism: Women Changing the World online course.
• Read Tips for Campaigning Women, including insights about building effective groups and coalitions.
• Run effective and engaging events with Family Friendly Organising, Facilitating for Gender Balance, and How to Make Your Social Justice Event Accessible.
• Explore the Commons – The whole Commons Social Change Library is all about learning to be more effective change agents. Follow the links to different topics in New to Activism, Organising & Campaigning? Start Here!

Understand Intersectionality & Be Inclusive

• Watch Kimberlé Crenshaw’s TED talk on The urgency of intersectionality.
• My Feminism Will Be Intersectional or It Will Be Bullshit!, Flavia Dzodan, 2011.
• Read the Intertwine Charter: Going beyond anti-discrimination and towards pro-active change to welcome others.
• Read 5 Things to Know to Make Your Feminism Trans-Inclusive.
• Explore the Climate Justice and Feminism Resource Collection.
• Study Ideas for Social Justice from bell hooks.
• How victim blaming is heightened when sexism intersects with race, Celeste Liddle, 2017.
• Carceral feminism and coercive control: when Indigenous women aren’t seen as ideal victims, witnesses or women, The Conversation, 2021.
• Learn about the Nature and extent of violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation against people with disability in Australia (Royal Commission report) and read AFDO factsheets and an AIHW report.

Know Your History

• The History of International Women’s Day.
• Australian Gender Equality Milestones from 1882 to today, Victorian Women’s Trust.
• The Long History of Gender Violence in Australia, and Why It Matters Today, Alana Piper and and Ana Stevenson in The Conversation, 2019.
• Preventing Violence Against Women – An Australian Timeline: 1970-2015, VicHealth.
• The long and storied history of transgender people in Australia and beyond and Victoria’s Transgender History.
• 3 Strategies Today’s Activist Women Share with Their Foremothers, Liette Gidlow in The Conversation, 2018.
• Watch Brazen Hussies for insights into the Australian Women’s Liberation Movement in the 1960s and 1970s.

Stay Inspired

• Inspiring quotes from women leaders and activists.
• Read Books about Women & Leadership and Women’s Stories of Environmental Activism.
• Listen to Feminist podcasts we can’t stop talking about plus:
  • ChangeMaker Chat – Jackie Turner on the Trans Movement
  • ChangeMakers Podcast – No. 3 – When Women Lead
  • Brave New Words – Together for Yes, Abortion Reform in Ireland
  • All About Women: In conversation with Chelsea Watego and Amy McQuire
• Watch Films about Women & Social Change, plus:
  • 5 films about fighting for gender justice and fundamental human rights
  • TED talk: Black women – Tipping the balance: Michelle Deshong
  • TED talk: How to overcome apathy and find your power: Dolores Huerta
  • All in For A Feminist Recovery: Plenary recording from Virtual Progress 2020

Suggestions