For the first time that anyone can remember, an International Women's Day march and rally is being organised in the Central Queensland coastal city of Rockhampton, sometimes referred to as the "beef capital" of Australia. One of the key organisers of the event, Erin Cameron, spoke to Green Left Weekly's Paul Glenning about the why a march and rally was being organised.
Cameron explained that "Living in a rural town for most of my life, I was witness to the blatant sexism and prejudice towards women that is a major part of these small communities. The romantic myth of country life that is portrayed in the mainstream media is exactly that, a myth. Sexual assault in Central Queensland is increasing and by organising International Women's Day (IWD) events in Rockhampton that involve and unite women, we will create awareness about the support that is needed to stop this happening.
"It was time in Rockhampton to turn things up a notch and make IWD what it is supposed to be — a day for all women to unite in protest for an end to oppression. That is why, for the first time that anyone can recall, we are marching and rallying in Rockhampton for IWD", she said. "The feminist movement has endured years of retreat and many of the gains that were achieved during the first and second waves have been lost. Now is the time to get them back and to fight even harder for our freedom."
Rockhampton's IWD march and rally have been organised by a collective which meets weekly and is open to all interested women. The collective has been working hard to promote the event by distributing leaflets, organising a TV commercial for the local station and doing interviews in the local paper and on ABC radio. IWD collective members will also speak at a local High school on the importance and meaning of IWD.
"Support for the IWD march and rally has been overwhelming and that has been a real shot in the arm for everyone on the collective", said Cameron. The level of support is indicated by the fact that a group of high students has decided to organise a contingent for the march.
The collective hopes that a successful IWD march and rally will establish support for the annual Reclaim the Night march, the formation of a women's collective on campus and a campaign to protest against violence against women. There have been several murders and disappearances of women in Rockhampton and the surrounding area in the last couple of years.
Cameron hopes that the IWD march and rally will build awareness about the affects of state and federal government policy on women. For example, if the federal government's proposal to establish a military training base near Rockhampton goes ahead, women are likely to face harassment and violence from thousands of soldiers in the region.
"Women will also feel the full brunt of big lay-offs planned for the coal industry in Central Queensland", said Cameron.
"As women, and men as well, become aware of the need to organise an alternative to the misery that is dished up to them by governments all over the country, I hope to see more and more women involved in future IWD marches and rallies and other protests."
"It's simple", said Cameron, "women united, and people united, will never be defeated. That's what it is all about."