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Z Files

February 2017

Hi Everyone,

Welcome back everyone. I hope you had an enjoyable Christmas and New Year. It seems so long since we met.

We had a lovely Amelia Earhart meeting in January. The weather was perfect with a balmy evening in the park. Those of us who were there donated $20 each to the Amelia Earhart fund and would like all other members to do so. This way we can send over $400, which is what we usually raise.

The year ahead looks exciting with many projects and energy from the club. Robyne and I visited the Western Domestic Violence Unit and met Emily Adcock and Bianca. In the 45 mins we were there many ideas were generated in our minds and we were quite excited by the prospect of working with them. Emily’s presentation at our February meeting has provided more background and ideas for our involvement so this will be discussed further at the March meeting.

At the planning meeting in March we also need to allocate the funds we have raised. Please think about where you wish us to donate the money and consider applying for the funds. The form will be sent out again. It will be basically the same but with the addition of how we can deposit the money directly instead of sending a cheque.

The Area Workshop is being held on the first weekend of May and is at Lower Eyre. The dates are set but the venue is still to be decided. A flyer will be out soon. Please put the dates in your diary. It is a long way but is a wonderful part of our state and is well worth a visit. Also the District 23 Conference is in Geelong in September. It would be great to have a group of us go. We need to consider putting in for some of the awards this year.

Altogether an active and exciting year in Zonta!

Shirley Lamb

From the President:

Diary Dates Date Event

Friday 24 Feb Breast Cushion Workshop

Friday 10 March

International Womens Day

Breakfast

Tuesday 14 March

Club Dinner Meeting

Tuesday 11 April

AGM

Saturday 6 May

Area 2 Workshop

September 1-3

District 23 Conference

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Z Files February 2017

ZCAT - 2017 PEOPLES CHOICE COMMUNITY LOTTERY - Now open for

ONLINE TICKET SALES

People’s Choice have Community Lottery tickets now open for online ticket sales. ZONTA CLUB OF ADELAIDE TORRENS has its our own link (see below). You are able to purchase your tickets, pay by credit card and print out your own tickets. Our page can be shared quickly and easily via social media and email. Just copy and past the URL below and include in your social media posts and emails. This will direct your friends to the ZONTA CLUB ADELAIDE TORRENS Community Lottery page to buy tickets.

Our unique URL is as follows: Hold down your “Çtrl” key and click on the link OR çopy’& ‘paste’’into your browser

www.peopleschoicecu.com.au/zonta-club-of-adelaide-torrens-inc

131 Prizes over $360,000, Early Bird prize - just for $2/tkt!!

Early Bird Prize Draw To get on line ticket sales off to a flying start, from now until 31st March 2017 tickets are available online only -

a fantastic opportunity to win A CAR!! Just $2! Drawn 5 April.

Paper Tickets Distribution Paper lottery tickets will still be available from early April 2017 – Cathy will get allocate these to members as soon as possible. Both online and paper tickets will be on sale until 31st August 2017.

The draw will take place on 4 October, Prize winners advertised 8 October.

FULL PRIZE LIST: https://www.peopleschoicecu.com.au/community-lottery-home/Prize-List/ These tickets are very popular with many organisations and clubs so let’s get started!

ONLY $2 a ticket – 131 prizes, over $360,000 in value! Online ticket sales open NOW! ALL proceeds from ticket sales to ZCAT – all we have to do is sell tickets. We raised $1240 last year – lets blast this this year! Looking for opportunities to sell tickets - let me know if you know of any. NO effort or organising required- JUST SELLING TICKETS! Too easy. PUT THE LINK on your FACEBOOK page – spread the word any way possible. Opportunity to sell in a shopping centre – t.b.a. (PCCL). Thank you.

Cathy H.

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Z Files February 2017

EnterprZ C A

The previously-named Sewing Group has undergone a name change which more accurately reflects the range of activities in which we plan to be involved. We are currently investigating the possibility of selling a wider range of sewn bags, library bags, craft items;

• magnetic click-in badge/necklace "Z". • Company of Grace; items made by the women in

Vietnam. Purchase and on-sell. • Dem. Rep. of Congo: items from women via Dr. Luc.

Purchase and on-sell. • In conjunction with the Breast Cushion group, we'll also

be attaching labels to our hand-made items. There are many ways in which to be involved with this group; sewing skills are welcome but not necessary! Talk to one of our members to find out how your skills could assist us.

Joan Möller,

On behalf of EnterpriZ C A

Enterpri C A T

the merchandising group of -

Zonta Club of Adelaide Torrens: . www.zontaadelaidetorrens.org.au

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Z Files February 2017

WHEN IS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE NOT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE??

The answer of course is NEVER!

12,000 WOMEN ARE KILLED IN RUSSIA THROUGH DOMESTIC VIOLENCE!

However the Russian Dumas (Parliament) has passed what can only be called a draconian law, which decriminalises domestic violence in Russia. To add insult to injury it has been instigated by two women! Yelena Mizulina an ultra conservative law maker and Olga Batalina a young Dumas representative who appeared on television stating, "We can not have 50% of the population with criminal records!"

Russia has long had a history of domestic violence due to many reasons, one of the most

obvious being the huge percentage of alcoholism amongst the Russian men. In fact it was so rife that a few years ago President Putin signed a decree limiting the amount of alcohol which could be purchased. However this was not a great deterrent because home made "hooch" took off at a great rate. With the drinking by the men the rate of domestic violence increased and become an enormous social problem. It is estimated that over 40% of women are severely abused. Compounding this problem, most average Russians live in a two room apartment which houses 4-5 people, so there is no safe room to hide. Again the police do not take this issue very seriously as most of them are male and they sympathise with the perpetrator.

On the 1st of February the Upper house of the Dumas adopted the draconian law and, on the 7th of February, President Putin signed the bill. Not only does this allow the abuse of women but also children. This flies in the face that Russia has signed the Convention, which prohibits violence against children including in the home.

Mari Dartyarn (the Moscow Times) states that this.." Sends messages that the state does not consider family battery fundamentally wrong anymore". It reflects the old Russian proverb, "if he beats you he loves you." One biologist Satoshi Kamazara has gone so far as to say that ...beaten women are likely to give birth to boy, "therefore ..."women should be proud of their bruises"

On a slightly positive note, if it could be said that bruises, cuts and soft tissue damage etc are considered misdemeanours but broken and dislocated bones and other horrific damages are considered criminal offences, little solace for battered women!

While the situation appears to be bleak, there are quite a few Women's Groups which are working to try and change this kind of terror. There is a very good site run by Yulinova Gubornova who works hard without too much funding to help abused women. Should you wish to see this for yourself the site is www.abc/ news 2017- russian women hidden domestic violence scene.

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Z Files February 2017

(continued)

Another interesting initiative has been started by a tattoo artist, who tattoos over the horrendous scars so that women can feel and see the tattoos rather than the scars. Many of them have stated how much better they feel when they do not have to be faced with the scars.

Of course this is but the tip of the iceberg and it brings to the fore that Russia does not really want to deal with the huge problem because it would mean setting up Social Services Departments and training personnel to deal with these issues at a

great cost. Better to just throw it back on the families. The issue is just too complex.

SINCE THE NEW LEGISLATION HAS BEEN ENACTED, EKATERINBERG, THE 3rd LARGEST CITY IN RUSSIA HAS HAD A 4 FOLD INCREASE IN DOMESTIC VIOLENCE!

Katherina Skull

PS: If you would like to explore this issue further, the following website links are most informative, although very confronting.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-02-09/russian-women-hide-domestic-violence-scars-with-tattoos/8253648

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/aug/18/russian-mp-seeks-to-decriminalise-domestic-violence

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-21474931

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Z Files February 2017

Book Review: “Why be Happy When you Could be Normal” by Jeanette Winterson

When Jeanette Winterson, author of Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit, left home at 16 because she was in love with a woman, her adoptive mother (referred to throughout the book as Mrs. Winterson) asked her: "Why be happy when you could be normal?" This book is the story of a woman’s life work to find happiness after being adopted by a woman whose entire life was to follow the teachings of her fundamentalist church. It is the story of how the painful past returned to haunt Jeanette's later life, causing a mental breakdown and very difficult recovery, in search of her real mother. It is also a book about other people's stories, showing how fiction and poetry can form a string of guiding lights, a life raft which supports us when we are sinking.

I found it hard to put this one down, it was so readable, a page turner. Sometimes I realise what a lucky life I have had – and

wonder how some people have managed to not only survive, but stay sane in the process.

Tina Merritt

Membership

Welcome to “new” member Vicki Mclaren, shown here with President Shirley Lamb, after her induction by Bev Gum from Zonta Club of Adelaide. Vicki is returning to our Club after some time living in the country and its great to have her back again!

From the Archives

Its nearly the time of year for Handover Dinners. The format of each Handover Dinner is chosen by the outgoing President and, over the years, we have enjoyed many different dinners. There have been inspirational guest speakers, music groups, food and even a belly dancing troupe. I had a rummage in my Archives and found this photo from Handover 1997. Jill Wheatley was handing over the Presidency to me and, just for fun, we enjoyed an amazing African drummer!

Prue Cowled

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Z Files February 2017

As you are aware, our Zonta club has provided scholarships for two girls in one of the poorest districts in the Philippines to continue their schooling for years 4, 5 and 6. We have been able to do this through the Australian Foundation for Fostering Learning in the Philippines (AFFLIP). The foundation has provided us with some detailed information about the students to provide assurance that these are students who are dedicated to their own education and are only able to continue at school past year

3 through our financial support. The two scholars the club is sponsoring are:

Princess Onde, Grade 4 pupil from Talomo Central Elementary School, Talomo District, Davao City Final Grade 3 Results for the 2015-16 school year

• Final grade: 86.81% • Top 8 with honors • Best in Spelling • Best in English • LAPG - Gold Medal Awardee (DAT) • Best in Religion • Best in Bible study • Dancer of the year • Star scout of the year • Cheerful, Industrious, Cooperative, and Responsible

pupil School-based positions held or activities the pupil is

involved in include: • Backyard Camping • Council Encampment • 3rd place Folk Dance Contest Division Level • Classroom Secretary

Parent Occupations • Father - Tricycle Driver • Mother - House keeper

April B Asuncion, Grade 4 student from Baliok Elementary School, Talomo District, Davao City Final Grade 3 Results for the 2015-16 school year

• Final grade 87% • 3rd honors, with merits

School-based positions held or activities the pupil is involved in include: • Classroom Officer

Family Situation • Living with father and aunt • Father - Tricycle driver • One sibling

I was recently informed that if we wish to write letters to the students, this can be done through AFFLIP for security purposes. I will write to each of the girls during the next month and provide a copy to club members for approval before forwarding.

Carol Pearce

AFFLIP

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CSW 61 Submission from South Australian Based CSOs – Regarding Economic Empowerment of Women

Further to the discussions held at our Club meeting last year, and the surveys you and your friends completed, I would like to thank you for your input into this very important document. Dr Anu Mundkur, Hon Member of our Club has now completed and submitted the submission (set out below). Relevant information to the report was received from:

• Zonta Club of Adelaide Torrens and District 23 • YWCA, Adelaide • Working Women’s Centre • Women with Disabilities South Australia • Women in Adult and Vocational Education (WAVE) • Anu Mundkur, (NGA Representative CSW 60)

The Australian Statement at CSW 61 must reflect the following issues:

1. Women with disabilities, older women, young women and girls, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, migrant and refugee women, and the LGBTIQ community face multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination and disadvantage. Concerted and ongoing efforts must be made to recognise the impact of intersectionality and address the disadvantage and discrimination faced by these groups if they are to benefit from economic empowerment.

2. With reference to women with disabilities, many women with disabilities can, and do work, but

few are in jobs of their choosing. Many continue to work in Disabilities Enterprises, where they are severely underpaid, and at risk of violence. Numerous others are volunteers because they cannot find meaningful work. Until the fundamental rights such as equal and adequate education, the right to have and keep their children, and affording basic rights for all women with disabilities are addressed, affording attention to issues like equal pay, maternity leave, financial literacy, and so on will have little impact for women with disabilities as they are not present in the workforce at the same levels as other women.

3. Economic empowerment of women and girls goes beyond securing employment. By economic

empowerment we mean “the ability to succeed and advance economically and the power to make and act on economic decisions. To succeed and advance economically, women need the skills and resources to compete in markets, as well as fair and equal access to economic institutions. To have the power and agency to benefit from economic activities, women need to have the ability to make and act on decisions and control resources and profits.”

4. To advance the economic empowerment of all women and girls and given the inter-relationship

between all 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) attention must be paid to achieving all the SDGs nationally, as well as through Australian aid programs, not just Goal 5 with its explicit focus on gender equality and empowerment all women and girls. For example:

a. SDG 1 – No poverty i. Access to economic resources, ownership and control over land and other forms of property, inheritance, natural resources, appropriate new technology and financial services, including microfinance ii. Implementing social protection systems iii. Pro-poor and gender-sensitive development strategies, to support accelerated investment in poverty eradication actions iv. Doubling agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers, in particular women. (continued)

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CSW 61 (continued)

b. SDG 2 – Zero hunger i. Doubling agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers, in particular women c. SDG 4 - Quality education and Lifelong Learning i. Equal access to affordable, relevant and quality technical, vocational and tertiary education and Training, including VET and university ii. Provision of and access to gender sensitive and labour market informed career counselling iii. Increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship iv. Eliminate gender disparities in education and ensure equal access to all levels of education and vocational training d. SDG 5 – Gender Equality i. Recognize and value unpaid care and domestic work d. SDG 5 – Gender Equality i. Recognize and value unpaid care and domestic work ii. Equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to ownership and control over land and other forms of property, financial services, inheritance and natural resources, in accordance with national laws iii. Use of enabling technology, in particular information and communications technology, to promote the empowerment of women e. SDG 8 Decent work and economic growth i. Development-oriented policies to support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, ii. Full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, and equal pay for work of equal value ii. Protect labour rights and promote safe and secure working environments, in particular women migrants, and those in precarious employment f. SDG 9 – Industry, innovation and infrastructure i. Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure to support economic development ii. Increase the access of small-scale industrial and other enterprises to financial services, including affordable credit, and their integration into value chains and markets g. SDG – 10 Reduced inequalities i. Empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of

age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status ii. Reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory laws, policies and

practices and promoting appropriate legislation, policies and action iii. Adopt policies, especially fiscal, wage and social protection policies, and progressively

achieve greater equality.

(continued)

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CSW 61 (continued)

5. Ongoing, adequate and sustained funding to address the seven primary drivers for women’s economic empowerment highlighted by the UN Secretary General’s High-Level Panel on Women’s Economic Empowerment. These drivers will enable women and girls to gain skills to earn better incomes, expand their businesses and challenge negative stereotypes that limit access to work as well as enhance women’s power in making and acting on financial decisions at household, community, national and international levels.

Key issues of concern identified by women in South Australia 1. Job security, earning a decent wage, being able to balance work and family life are key issues

identified by women as enabling their economic empowerment. 2. Gendered segregation of work, resulting from gendered stereotypes is limiting women’s access

to employment in high earning sectors like STEM and is perpetuating the gender wage gap 3. In the last five years women identified financial stress (managing on a lower family income,

drawing on savings for living expenses and debt repayment); increasing casualization of work; under-employment; gender wage gap; and related gaps in superannuation, as impacting their economic wellbeing.

4. Proposed changes to paid parental leave will further limit women’s access to work and adversely impact women’s workforce participation as well as their economic stability

5. Barriers for women wishing to return from parental leave continue to impact economic empowerment. For example, women have the right to request a flexible return to work but employers are under no obligation to fulfil this request. This is further reflected in the 2014 Australian Human Rights Commission’s report on pregnancy and return to work, which found

that 1 in 2 mothers reported experiencing discrimination in the workplace at some point during their pregnancy, parental leave or on return to work.

6. Women who experience domestic and family violence whilst also trying to maintain their employment have typically used up all their personal leave and fear losing income or their jobs if they have to take more time off. Paid Domestic and family leave must be added to the National Employment Standards so that all workers experiencing domestic and family have an entitlement to this type of leave.

7. The exploitation of women on various visa sub classes continues. Migrant and refugee women are fearful of reporting exploitative employers as raising concerns may lead to threats of deportation.

8. Older women: are particularly concerned about economic survival post-retirement. 9. Young women: identified the following issues as impacting their economic empowerment.

Young women need: a. Workplace policies that obligates employers to support work-life balance and work-related

training and education b. Access to adequate paid parental leave c. Equal: (i) access to secure, well paid job with reliable working hours; (ii) superannuation

benefits for women and men; (iii) wages/pay between men and women; and (iv) representation of women in management and leadership

d. Workplace and social policies that prevent violence against women e. Sexism and discrimination in hiring and at work to be addressed f. Access to affordable education and training opportunities g. Fairer sharing of household and childcare work

h. Education about financial, money related and economic issues There are some very important issues listed here, which I am sure we would want to discuss with politicians prior to the next State and/or Federal election.

Tina Merritt

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Zonta Club of Adelaide Torrens

Leadership Team 2016-2017

President: Shirley Lamb

Vice President: Robyne Lesley

Treasurer: Cathy Heuzenroeder

Assistant Treasurer: Rachel Taylor

Minutes Secretary:

Katherina Skull

Correspondence Secretary:

Jenny Hatchard

Board Members:

Morag Zeman

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Tina Merritt

Our meetings are held on the second Tuesday of the month at La Scala Cafe, 169 Unley Rd., Unley. 6.00p.m. for 6.30p.m. Website:

www.zontaadelaidetorrens.org.au

Facebook:

Zonta Adelaide Torrens

Contact: Shirley Lamb, shirleylamb@ymail.com

Mobile: 0408 079 942

OBJECTS OF ZONTA

• To improve the legal, political, economic, educational, health and professional status of women at the global and local level through service and advocacy.

• To work for the advancement of understanding, goodwill and peace through a world fellowship of executives in business and professions.

• To promote justice and universal respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. • To be united internationally to foster high ethical standards, to implement service programs

and to provide mutual support and fellowship for members who serve their communities, their nations and the world.

PS: Joke of the Month

1.Going to bed early 2.Not leaving my house 3.Not going to a party My childhood punishments have become my adult goals.

Jan Seeger

Z Files February 2017