Empowering Women Through Service and Advocacy
Newsletter of the Zonta Club of the Riverland Inc Club No. 23 – 02 – 1116
PO Box 180 BERRI SA 5343
www.zontariverland.org.au
October 2016
Meeting: 1st Tuesday of each month, Berri Resort Hotel, 6:15 pm for 6:30 pm
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Empowering Women Through Service and Advocacy
Tonight’s Meeting: Tuesday, 4th October 2016
Guest Speaker: Arunika Hamden
Objects: Jenny Boyd
Raffle: Julie Radloff
Next Meeting: Tuesday, 1st November
(Melbourne Cup – wear a hat)
Guest Speaker:
Objects: Lorraine Charity
Raffle: Kay Sando
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
What a wonderful and interesting guest speaker Hayley Ramsay was at our last meeting. It is so inspiring that we have so many wonderful women living and working in our region. I am also looking forward to our October’s meeting where we have Arunkia Hampton as our speaker where she will share her life story with us.
There has been a lot of information coming through on the Zonta Facebook page so if you haven’t “liked” it yet it would be worth doing so. Perhaps our club could be doing more on the issue of Domestic Violence in our area as there has been an increase and if you have any ideas on where you would like to see our club head on this issue please feel free to include it in the next meeting.
Yours in Service
Julie Radloff
Guest Speaker, Hayley Ramsay and Zontian, Margot. Kranich
ADVOCACY
Dianna would like to start planning the next UN Dinner in March 2107. If you are interested in being involved, put your name down at the October meeting.
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PAPER
Zonta clubs had the opportunity to respond to the SA Government’s Domestic Violence Discussion Paper, which was released for consultation in July, and included eight key themes relating to the provision of services and protections available to victims of domestic violence:
· The introduction of a Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme
· Expiry dates on intervention orders (previously known as restraining orders)
· The most effective way to collect and use comprehensive data on domestic violence
· Whether police video recordings should be admissible as evidence at trial
· Whether confidentiality provisions around counselling records should be improved
· Whether courts should require domestic violence offenders to be assessed for drug and alcohol problems
· The provision of housing and homelessness support to victims of domestic violence
· How victims can be better supported in the workplace and other environments
One of the key initiatives proposed was a disclosure scheme. The Attorney General, John Rau, travelled to the UK to see such a scheme in operation. The UK scheme, operated by the UK’s Home Office, facilitates Police disclosure of information about a person’s previous violent offending to a new or existing partner where this may help protect a person from criminal abuse or serious harm. The scheme aims to strengthen the ability of police and agencies to provide appropriate protection and support to victims of abuse.
South Australia’s domestic violence paper generated considerable community interest. Public comment closed on recently, with 629 survey responses received from the non-government sector, peak bodies and the broader community.
In addition, 70 written submissions have been delivered or are due to be received. Survey responses included 119 people working for service providers, police, government agencies and courts who completed a survey specifically designed for the sector. More than a third of respondents work in regional or remote areas and more than half work with indigenous communities.
A survey aimed at the broader community elicited 510 responses. Of these, 22 per cent live in a regional or remote area, 18 per cent were men and 4 per cent were indigenous South Australians.
In addition, a Key Partner workshop was also held over two days in August to develop advice from the non-government sector.
The Government will now consider all of the feedback.
UN WOMEN
In the last newsletter I shared information about Nicole de Silva donating her birthday to UN Women Australia to help put a stop to gender based violence. Nicole, in lieu of birthday presents, invited her fans to make a gift to UN Women NC Australia instead. Through the generosity of Nicole’s fans and supporters, her birthday campaign raised over $23,000 in one month!
Project Update: Ending Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in the Gambia
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is a harmful traditional practice in the Gambia that has led generations of women to a lifetime of pain, lack of control of their own bodily integrity and sexuality, and debilitating health risks, including death. The taboo surrounding the topic has impeded women to freely discuss their experiences of harm and suffering caused by FGM.
Ndyandin Dawara, a survivor of FGM who lives in a community in the Gambia, recently made a momentous decision: she decided she would not subject her daughter to FGM.
Ndyandin made her decision after taking part in a training program supported by UN Women.
“We didn’t know how to speak out about it,” saidNdyandin Dawara. “In the workshop we... talked about pertinent issues about FGM, something that affects our lives, that has been hurting us.”
The training focused on other women from the same background who had decided to abandon FGM. That gave Ndyandin Dawara strength. “We need to work to change people’s mindsets,” she said, stressing that all women and girls should live free from this harmful practice. Her husband is also involved, intent on protecting his daughter and all other girls in their community. He attended the training and speaks out in the community and to other men about the profound damage FGM causes.
The two-year project, which began in 2015, involves training for community leaders and workshops aimed at empowering women to claim their rights and those of their daughters. So far, more than 300 women have taken part and 64% of young mothers who attended sessions said they would not subject their daughter to FGM. For the first time, community leaders are discussing how to protect girls and their communities.
International Day of the Girl Child Celebration
Women and girlsmake up more than half the world's population and are often more deeply impacted than men and boys by poverty, climate change, food shortage, lack of healthcare, and economic uncertainty. Women and girlscontributions and leadership are central to finding a solution.
On October 11th at the Adelaide Town Hall host Lisa McAskill and speakers Mia Handshin, Jonathan Dallwitz andKhadija Gbla will discuss issues around esteem towards women and the empowerment of women and girls.
Whilst this event is sold out, you might like to listen out for mentions about it in the media. All funds raised at this event will support UN Women National Committee Australia
UPCOMING EVENTS IN OUR REGION
Australian Breastfeeding Association Riverland Group
“Girls’ Night In”
Thursday 20th October 7.30pm
St Marys Catholic Parish Centre
8 Crawford Tce, BERRI
Guest Speaker: Rebecca Semmens, McGrath Breast Care Nurse
Fun~Raffles~Door Prizes~Supper
All proceeds to the Cancer Council’s Girls’ Night In
For More Info: Sonya: 0408802419; Val: 85821882
Rose Week: Devonshire Morning Tea
Tuesday 18th October 10am – 12.30pm
At Val and John Fewster’s Garden
31 Fenwick Road, BERRI
Cost $5
Proceeds supporting Domestic Violence New Playground
RSVP by 15th October; Ph: 85821882
BIRTHDAYS
No members’ birthdays in October
Z to A Editor
Margot Kranich
Club President
Julie Radloff
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