NRT: “A stupid idea”
I/S at No Right Turn on Key’s statement that a gender-balanced cabinet is “a stupid idea”.
Politics
feminism
National better late than never on pay equity
A 2015 court decision forced National’s hand on pay equity. This week the equity working group reported back. To its credit National is accepting the recommendations, and unions are hailing a big win. But the final form of any law is not yet clear.
Conservative, honky males in suits
As a government National is no friend to women, and as a party National has structural problems with selecting and supporting women. Stacey Kirk in the SST writes on National’s lack of female depth.
Guest post: Swipe right for sexism
Originally posted at Tangerina. This is in response to an earlier column Society, not rugby, needs to change its culture by Peter Jackson, Editor of […]
The Age of the Bitch.
– time for misogynists to feel our anger.
Last chance to sign the equal pay petition
New Zealand’s record is shameful. It is long past time or equal pay. You can sign the petition here.
Foreskin’s lament
The Waikato Chief’s mad Monday shows that Rugby’s attitude to women are still mired in the past and a threat to New Zealand’s interests, as well as an affront to all women.
Is US Green Party’s Jill Stein the new people’s champion?
Plus she makes Fox News reporters’ heads explode.
The toxic masculinity of Return of Kings
John Palethorpe on the Return of Kings group and plans to oppose their misogynist view and celebrate by way of a peaceful counter protest.
How to improve pay gender equality
It’s been a hardy annual finding of late – the pay gap between males and females is getting steadily worse. History suggests that Labour governments have some answers…
When survivors speak out
Previously posted at Boots Theory. Content note: discussion of sexual violence and the experience of survivors. Yesterday I did a round-up of the […]
International shame – again
Key and Carter have brought NZ international shame yet again. Males in a position of power using rape as a cheap political tactic and then punishing women for speaking up. Brighter Future.
Labour, identity, class and winning
The question of identity politics and Labour’s direction just never go away. But maybe we’re just thinking about it all wrong.
NZ number one in the world – and it’s all bad news
Rachel Stewart writes about a disaster for this country.
The equal pay initiative
After twice killing off pay equity legislation (2009, 1990), National have been forced to confront the issue again.
Amy Adams is confused about Judicial appointments
Amy Adams has congratulated Chris Finlayson’s commitment to equality in Judicial appointments for the first all female Court of Appeal sitting. However each of the Judges had been appointed to the Judiciary by the last Labour Government. And Finlayson’s history of judicial appointments still favours male appointments.
Older white men paid double young ethnic women
That’s not my headline. That’s Stuff’s business section’s headline.
Our assumptions about work and workers
Beyond discrimination against women, there’s a broader set of assumptions we make about work and workers, and it’s hurting us – workers, society, and business.
Sexism, babies, and our assumptions about work
It’s 2015, and we’re constantly told that sexism is over, feminism has had its day – so why can’t this woman find a job?
Support Wellington Rape Crisis this week
This week is Wellington Rape Crisis’ annual appeal.
Key on women’s rights
Key dodges women’s rights issues in Saudi Arabia. For obvious reasons really. In other media coverage of ponytail fallout…
(Image from Emmerson in The Herald)
Pull the other one… ponytails, minimisation and male privilege
From pulling ponytails to police minimisation, there is a deep problem in our country with attitudes towards women and to sexual violence.
Helen Clark’s statement on International Women’s Day
“International Women’s Day (8 March) is a global day celebrating the economic, political and social achievements of women past, present and future.”
Gender pay gap still growing – of course
Tomorrow is International Women’s Day. In New Zealand the gender pay gap is growing – perhaps because National abolished the Department of Labour’s Pay and Employment Equity Unit.
New blog – Edge Times
Karol, ex of The Standard (and sorely missed), has started a new blog covering a mix of politics and popular culture. Please head on over and visit!
Revolutionary Spain, Revolutionary Syria, and the Bastards We Vote For.
It seems that just as the 30’s offered the chance to turn dreams into reality, Syria is offering that chance up to ‘the left’ today. Suddenly, for me, the recent travel bans and the passport confiscation laws etc make sense since we are potentially looking at an international influx of non-nutters and non- psychopaths as happened during the Spanish Revolution of the 30s.
We need to talk about the F word… closely followed by the V word.
Feminism is a reaction. A position. A belief that women should, by right, be entitled to all the same ‘privileges’ as men: fair pay, high quality free education, control of their own money (and bodies), freedom to choose who to love and how to act. Freedom of movement, association, dress, beliefs. Respect as an equal. Opportunity. Equity in decision-making. A voice.
The tweets are alive….
… with pre-election day fervour. It’s an election that’s going down to the wire. The energy is there for the left to keep talking to people, and to encourage as many as possible to get out and vote. It’s Suffrage Day – reporting via the telegraph in 1893 to the internet today. On-going updates
New Zealand women, first to vote
New Zealand was the first country to give women the vote – and this year all New Zealand women have an opportunity to honour that achievement by voting in the general election.
Re-writing 2nd Wave Women’s Movement: Pat Rosier – h/t Hand Mirror
A must read Hand Mirror post acknowledges the passing of Pat Rossier. She played a significant role in NZ’s 2nd wave Women’s Movement. Misinformation about feminism fails to represent its diversity & socialist underpinnings. A full chronicle of the NZ 2nd wave is needed.
Murray McCully must go
Tania Billingsley’s public comments and her suggestion that Murray McCully should resign as Minister of Foreign Affairs are cogent and compelling. For his failure to look after New Zealand’s interests and for his inept handling of issues for Tania he should resign as Minister.
Rogernomics, income inequality & gender politics
All of us, in our diversity, can make a big impact this election year. Time to end the “neoliberal” tyranny! Crime stats are celebrated masking the continuing impact of income & social inequalities. Rogernomics fractured gender politics & rape crisis intiatives.
Happy International (Working) Women’s Day!
The official theme of International Women’s Day this year is “Inspiring Change”. It’s a little vague, a little aspirational, not too confrontational – […]
Poverty, women & rape culture
In our highly gendered socio-economic system that has institutionalised poverty, gendered violence, sexual violence and rape culture, low income women are multiply disadvantaged. Trigger warning: This post addresses some difficult and sensitive issues about poverty, women and rape culture. Subsequent comments will be tightly moderated.
Shhh! It’s the ‘P’ word.
You don’t have to be white and male and financially wealthy to assume a prominent position within systems of patriarchy, but it helps. And you don’t have to be financially strapped and black and female to feel the full weight of patriarchy always pressing down on you, but it helps.
National Day of Action Against Rape – today (16 Nov)
Today there are actions planned around the country in protest about the rape culture that is part of our mainstream culture. This post and comments are in support of the day of action. Have a good day everyone. [Update: impact on/silencing of survivors]