Issue 88.2

Elle Dit

ISSUE 88.2 MARCH 2020

n Dit 2020

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ON DIT CONTENTS Editorial What’s on?

State of the Union SRC President Left, Right, and Centre Vox Pop Club Spotlight Econ Dit Rural Student News International Student News ARTICLES Ground Zero Body parts are NOT trends!

Does chivalry still have a place in today’s society?

I’m a feminist but...

International Women’s Day: a tête-à-tête with Paula Nagel Modesty, fairness, and lesbians Influencers influencing everyone but themselves Are you sure this is how we save the world? It sounds expensive.

Why I am a feminist inside and out We are living in a material world A sex education for public transport Dream girl Weighing in on Jameela Jamil

What I wish I knew as a young woman entering adulthood Man! I feel like a woman...

Book review: Bad Feminist

by Roxanne Gay 5 Pop Quiz 8 10 ARTWORK AND CREATIVE WRITING 11 Artist Feature: Stupid Cupid 12 Designs 14 Don’t watch what you put in, 16 watch what you put out 18 (with friends) 20 Paranoia 24 We come in waves Untitled 26 28 EDITORS Taylor Fernandez 30 Larisa Forgac 31 Sarah McLean Michelle Roylance 32 36 SUBEDITORS Michael Genrich 40 Oliver Hales Habibah Jaghoori 41 Maya Tlauka Emily Woodcock 45 DESIGN 46 Larisa Forgac 50 COVER ART 53 Que la femme écrive de la femme 54 By Emily Savage Instagram: em_sav2

We wish to acknowledge the Kaurna people as the traditional custodians of the Adelaide region on which the University of Adelaide is located. We also acknowledge Elders, living and past, and understand that the cultural and heritage beliefs that the Kaurna people hold are still important to the living members of their community today.

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EDITORIAL

Hello from Taylor and Larisa and welcome to Elle Dit! We are very excited to share this edition with you! Alongside our guest editors, Sarah and Michelle, we have felt very passionate about representing the views of all women and bringing you a balanced and entertaining issue that contains both serious and lighthearted topics.

Working with an exclusively female team of editors has proved to be an exciting forum for exploring the different interests of women as well as gaining insight into views that we all share.

Elle Dit, as our annual female edition of the magazine, holds importance in establishing an expressive, liberating, and powerful platform for women at the University of Adelaide to share their voice. Our hope is in collating these stories, females can feel less alone in their experiences.

This year we made the decision to publish Elle Dit as our second issue of the year. It’s no coincidence that this issue is coming out in the month of the International Women’s Day (8th of March); we hoped that the timing of the issue would remind us all of the importance of this date. There are always so many wonderful events happening on International Women’s Day, and women all around the world are celebrating their achievements and success. This year, the 8th of March was marked by the horrendous murder of Hannah Clarke and her children which had a massive impact on the whole of Australia. With the whole country in shock and mourning, we also had the opportunity to reflect on domestic violence against women and educate both women and men on its tragic consequences.

In this edition, our contributors are passionate and unapologetic in their ideas. The notion of equality of females is the subtext in most of these articles, whether this is by debunking preestablished ideas of chivalry, demoting the idea that a certain body shape should be in fashion, or acknowledging the pressure and effect that beauty standards have on us. This edition of Elle Dit is also a testament to the achievements of women: at the University, in the Australian community, or in pop culture. We are proud to feature several interviews in this issue, both with University of Adelaide female students and distinguished women in the wider community. We hope that all of our readers will be able to find at least one article that resonates with them and that the work in this issue will start a conversation: because we can only make so much progress without openly discussing women’s issues.

Hope you enjoy this issue!

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GUEST EDITORS

SARAH MCLEAN

Hi everyone! I am so excited to present this issue of Elle Dit to you, and I hope that as readers, you’ll experience the same joy, curiosity and laughter that I did as a guest editor.

In the past, I was very moved by submissions in Elle Dit. Not only were they emotional, personal and brave, but they were also honest, bold and, well, human. This edition captures all too well the different internal and external realities for women, from rants about feminism to testimonies of chronic pain.

In doing so, it highlights that the everyday experiences of women differ, but are also similar in so many other ways. What makes this edition different from previous ones is the boldness of its writers; contributors were sassy, unapologetic and determined to make a point. As a guest editor, I have had the privilege to meet the inspiring women behind these articles. As a reader, I have learnt so much from these writers. As a woman, I have come to understand the world around me a little better.

When I was a little girl, my dad tried to explain to me the difference between justice and equality. Imagine, he said, that three

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people were standing behind a fence. The first person is tall enough to see over it, the second person is just a head too short, and the third is half the size of the fence. Equality, he said, looks like all three people being given the same small box to stand on. The first person doesn’t need it; the second can now see over the fence; the third, however, is still too small to see anything .

What needs to happen is that those who cannot see over the fence are given a box tall enough to help them, even if that box is taller than the other boxes. The third person in this scenario needs to be given a taller box. This is what justice looks like. If feminism is about justice, we need to give women more tools and resources. We need to do this so that we can close gender and race gaps, dismantle toxic gender roles and create safer spaces.

This starts with listening. And this is exactly what I hope you’ll do when reading Elle Dit.

MICHELLE ROYLANCE

Hi there! I’m Michelle and I am so grateful for the opportunity to be one of this year’s Elle Dit guest editors. What I loved most about this edition was getting to work with an amazing team of ladies to bring you some of the most relatable, real, and funny content I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading.

It is so important that women be provided a platform to use their voice to express their frustrations, to highlight issues, or to be creative. Although things aren’t as bad as they used to be, there are still so many gaps between the genders that must be bridged in order to reach gender cohesion, and not all of them are against women, but certainly we see more oppression of females then we do males, and it seems only right to respond accordingly.

I have felt the harsh brutality of sexism in many areas of my life, be it through sheer ignorance in the deliverer or a blatant disregard of female rights. At work my strength and capabilities are questioned, at university my intelligence. I am saddest most of all I think, when it comes from a member of my own family, someone who I think should know me well enough to look past my gender, someone who I think should welcome to hear

my voice at the table, someone who I think should care enough about my feelings not to use certain phrases. I suppose it is that family member who I should thank most of all for inspiring me to follow in the shoes of women before me, down the feminist’s path.

In this particular edition there are so many amazing pieces that I would love to pull into the spotlight. To begin with, a powerful piece by my fellow guest editor, Sarah, that discusses sexual offences in the public, the role of the bystander, and the aftermath.

I found this piece to be enlightening and admire its conversation on such a difficult topic.

Another piece I’d like to draw attention to is a short satire called ‘Dream Girl’. Another brilliantly crafted piece, I was thoroughly entertained as the author trade’s places with the modern male and proceeds to describe the ideal, modern woman. Spoiler alert: she is as ‘perfect’ as she is unrealistic.

These are just 2 works, of many, that deserve your full attention, your tears and laughter.

We hope you enjoy.

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N O S ’ T A H W ?

N O S ’ T A H W dulcie national tour WHEN: 27th March 7pm-11pm WHERE: Rocket Bar and Rooftop

Their first national headline tour, this 4-piece indie-pop girl band from Perth sure knows how to groove! Promising a funky night with supporting artists Alex Hosking and Cat Lucky.

adelaide fabulous ladies wine soiree with battle of bosworth

WHEN: 2nd April 6:30pm-10pm WHERE: Treasury 1860

Purchase a ticket for a fabulous evening of wine and food with the Fabulous Ladies.

This night promises to provide ‘Loads of fun and friendship with other wine loving Women!’

Price: $150 for non-members, $125 for members (membership is free!)

WHEN: 3rd April 7pm-10pm WHERE: Capri Theatre

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doris day’s birthday celebration: jumbo

Come celebrate and pay tribute to cinema sensation Doris Day’s 98th birthday (the first since she passed last year). Described as a ‘modern woman with traditional values’, Doris Day has been credited for her independence and advocacy for women in Television.

W ?

N O S ’ T A H W ?

N 2020 pioneer women’s trail walk

This trail follows that same route that the women and girls of the early European Settlers in Hahndorf used to carry supplies through the Adelaide Hills to their village in the 1800s.

Prices vary from $20 to register

WHEN: 20th May 7pm-9pm WHERE: Adelaide Festival Centre

An evening with lady glenconner

Sure to be a regal evening, Lady Glenconner discusses her involvement with the Royal family and the truth behind The Crown, as revealed in her bestselling memoir Lady in Waiting.

dignitea

What a better way to spend World Menstrual Hygiene Day!

A high tea fundraiser promising food, drink, entertainment and fun, raising funds to supply sanitary items to those in need

WHEN: 23rd July 8:30am-6pm WHERE: Adelaide Convention Centre

WHEN: 17th May 8:30am-4pm WHERE: Hahndorf to Beaumont

WHEN: 24th May 12:30pm-4pm WHERE: Stamford Plaza Adelaide

the australian women’s leadership symposium

With speakers that include: - Kirstie Parker (Director, Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation, Dept of State Development), - Yumi Stynes (Broadcaster, Writer, Author and Social Commentator), - Tammie Matson (Zoologist, Author, Conservationist and Entrepreneur), - Professor Caroline McMillen (Chief Scientist for South Australia) This event is sure to inspire!

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STATE OF THE UNION Words by Clubs Committee Chair Angela (Chuyue) Qin This is my first State of the Union as the chair of Clubs Committee! A big thank you to those who supported me along the way.

University Security number: 831 35444

Welcome to 2020 – a year full of uncertainty.

I am not in Australia as I’m writing this, just like many other international students. Due to the outbreak of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, the Australian government is denying entry to people coming from, or transiting through China, and now Iran and South Korea as well.

Now, more about Elle Dit! I would like to talk about the definition of the terms feminism and “women traitor”.

I have been in close contact with the UoA Chinese Student Association and the university, thanks to whom Mandarin help services and care packages are now available. We are now discussing issues like accommodating for language courses and trimesters. Through conversations, we hope to minimise the disruption for all students.

While the ban is protecting Australians from the virus, you might also need to protect yourself against discrimination. Local culture believes only sick people wear face masks, but many students might choose to wear one to protect themselves. I would like to ask you to respect their decision.

University Security is always supporting you (their number is on the back of your ID card!).

SA Police could be of assistance if you find yourself in a hostile situation. They will help regardless of whether you are an international or a domestic student.

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Police assistance: 131 444

People have different definitions of feminism.

I believe feminism is about equity (fair treatment), not quite about equality (same treatment), and definitely not about “women being better”. It calls for a fair go for all genders on the spectrum. We need adequate representation and a holistic approach to achieve this.

The notion of a “Women traitor” is not helping the goal above. Who are the “traitors” betraying if there isn’t a set standard for feminism? It’s a phrase that turns people against each other. Isn’t the word “women” a bit discriminative as well? Instead of calling each other names, we should stand together and face the greater challenge – achieving equity.

Finally, Happy International Women’s Day! In this Mad March, stay safe and healthy.

Hopefully I will be able to see you in person soon.

Go Wuhan, Go China! 武汉加油，中国加油！ Link to Mandarin version 中文版请见 : https://medium.com/@OnDitMagazine/ elle-dit-state-of-the-union-67c3e121390b

SRC WOMEN’S OFFICER Words by SRC Women’s Officer Rebecca Etienne

CONTENT WARNING: Mentions of sexual assault and harassment, domestic violence, death Hi everyone, Welcome to Elle Dit! For those who don’t know me, my name is Rebecca and I am the SRC Women’s Officer for 2020. When I first started at The University of Adelaide, as a fresh-faced first year, I was excited to be a part of such an inclusive, diverse community for the next few years of my life. Little did I know that in my final year of my degree, I would find that this was not entirely the case.

The UofA Women’s Collective are a group of people who support and advocate for the advancement and maintenance of women’s rights on campus and beyond. The aim is to celebrate women’s achievements, shed light on campus around the diversity of issues faced by marginalized groups, and overall, create a healthy campus culture by educating and advocating for issues around reproductive/sexual health & rights, healthy relationships, sexual harassment, domestic violence and much more.

As a committee member myself, I have seen firsthand how hard we have worked as a collective to create that safe space for all women on campus.

To then ultimately be rejected by the 2019 AUU Clubs Committee for petty, shallow reasons is something that many of us haven’t been able to accept. The Women’s Collective was deemed “not unique and unnecessary.” In 2020, how could such a club not be necessary? I don’t think I need to remind you all about the End Rape on Campus (EROC) survey which is being conducted and sent out this year. Nor do we need to mention the Gender Pay Gap. Or discuss the UofA ‘LifeChoice’ Club, which does nothing but

take away choice, and attempt to eradicate the reproductive rights of women. Or even address the latest domestic violence tragedy of Hannah Clarke and her three children. These are just some of the endless examples of inequality that are in the news and affect our community. Now, more than ever, is the time for women to hold each other up in solidarity and support.

And to some extent, this is happening. The wider university community now knows about the significant breaches the clubs committee have committed and are angry. We are angry. Thank you for sharing in our anger, disappointment, excitement! Truth be told, the UofA Women’s Collective are still met with challenges: our very right to exist is debated, questioned and opposed at a constant level.

So, what is next for the UofA Women’s Collective?

I’m glad you asked! Every Tuesday, we hold weekly catchups in the Women’s Room, which is now located on Level 8 of the Hughes Building.

We are aiming to host more social events, including starting up a book club and holding feminist film nights. We are also discussing potential collaborations with other university clubs to be as diverse and inclusive as possible!

Currently, we are fundraising towards Birthing Kits for mothers in third-world countries for Mother’s Day. To find out more, please follow ‘UofA Women’s Collective’ on Facebook for updates on our work.

I started this column hesitant about the future.

However, I am hopeful, and forever appreciative of all the support the UofA Women’s Collective have been given. We are not giving in or giving up. We are only just getting started and will continue trying to advance women’s rights on campus and beyond. Just you wait!

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LEFT RIGHT & CENTRE 1.The Oscars was recently shamed for its lack of female representation. What should student politics do to address female representation within education and leadership?

2. Dr Sonia Palmieri (a gender politics researcher from the University of Canberra), has started a foundation 50/50 by 2030 which she predicts ‘gender parity’ in Australian leadership by the year 2030. Do you think this is realistic? Are there any obstacles?

3. Hannah Clarke and her three children recently died in a horrific car accident, when Hannah’s ex-husband Rowan Baxter set the car on fire. What do we as a society need to do to address domestic violence against women? How do you think the media handled the incident?

LEFT Leila Clendon , Socialist Alternative 1. In O’week Socialist Alternative staged a protest in front of the Lifechoice stall which is a registered AUU club, despite both the Women’s Collective and pro-choice clubs being rejected. This is an example of confronting sexism head-on. Women coming onto campus could see active support for their rights. It’s a message to women that they don’t have to just sit down and accept sexism, they can fight it. More actions like this will embolden more women to be involved in politics.

2. We have a male-dominated political world because sexism undermines women’s confidence about their views. We’re burdened with more domestic responsibilities and higher rates of poverty than men. We need militant movements that confront sexism. Parliamentary politics, corporate boardrooms, and other capitalist institutions enforce many of the issues women face.

The very day that Julia Gillard made her famous misogyny speech in parliament, she cut single parent payments. Pauline Hanson’s attacks on penalty rates mainly hurt women, who rely more on casual work. Ultimately, we won’t be liberated by more women commanding the sexist structures of the system, exploiting and oppressing workingclass women.

3. When Hannah Clarke and her kids were murdered the police said they’d have an “open mind” about whether it was a case of domestic

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violence, or “an instance of a husband being driven too far.” The media portrayed it as a tragic accident, not a murder. Nothing a woman could do to her partner could justify being burned alive. The nuclear family is portrayed as a safe-haven from the pressures of society, but for so many women and children it becomes a hell. The police response exposes them as a sexist institution, not as a solution to domestic violence.

CENTRE

Leah SchamSchurin , Adelaide University Labor Club 1.To be a feminist is not to advocate for women to have more rights than men. It is to fight for equal social, political, and economic rights and opportunities between all genders. The women who were overlooked at the Oscars were talented artists, and the lack of recognition speaks volumes about how far the feminist movement still has to go. To play its role in this movement, student politics must begin from a point of equal representation between women and men. Furthermore, active engagement of women must be encouraged and supported on campus. Women are stronger when united – we can offer guidance and love to those who are a little lost or in need of confidence. When women are empowered from a grassroots level, the culture on campus dramatically changes, all genders can share different perspectives when collaborating on important issues, and people in leadership roles can gain a more complete understanding of what

the needs and desires are of the entire cohort.

2.While gender parity in leadership is necessary, it remains dubious as to whether or not Australia can reach the goal by 2030. While some parties have rightly adopted a gender quota, there remain many who treat the concept as though it is a dirty term that undermines the idea of “merit” – an argument that is, quite frankly, feebly stale.

When looking to the root causes of opposition to quotas, two main points must be considered. First, hierarchical relations of power position women as “incapable” of adopting a public role traditionally reserved for confident, masculine men. Second, if a woman somehow does manage to break through the glass ceiling, she is deemed “too bossy” or “not confident enough”; “too feminine” or “not a good mother”. Case and point: former Prime Minister Julia Gillard. Future generations of strong and powerful women are likely to be deterred from leadership positions if their role models are mocked, verbally abused, and sexualised in the public eye.

3. Domestic violence is quite simply a physical manifestation of patriarchy. While violence against men is a serious concern within society, women are three times more likely to suffer from abusive relationships. It is deeply saddening that Hannah and her children became victims of such a statistic.

Addressing such profound infringements of human rights is not as simple as locking more perpetrators behind bars and increasing police presence within communities. Society and its institutions desperately need to reconstruct the relationships between all genders. Masculinity and femininity ( though too simple a dichotomy to fully embrace those who are gender fluid ) need not be seen as competing forces in which the former can assert power over the latter. There must be equal respect between the two.

RIGHT Emma Troughton, Adelaide University Liberal Club 1. Like the Oscars, student politics should encourage the most suitable and talented person for the position, or award. The landmark win for Parasite, a South Korean thriller, as this year’s Best Picture wasn’t just a push for better representation but an excellent film receiving Hollywood’s highest honour (if you haven’t seen Parasite, I suggest you go and see it ASAP).

Further, comparing student politics to the Oscars highlights the fundamental differences between

them both. Namely that the students elected to the positions on the SRC and AUU board are elected democratically. Given that Oscar nominations and winners are decided by “The Academy” with a seemingly arbitrary rubric for deciding award winners, Adelaide Uni should continue to hold democratic elections. In recent memory there have been numerous women applying for positions on both the SRC and AUU board which is a great trend. Although these women cannot always be successfully elected, encouraging other similarly motivated women to run in future elections ensures that students are getting the best candidates to represent the wider university community.

2. I certainly embrace the prediction by Dr Sonia Palmieri for what it is – a definite move in the direction of gender parity in this country – and I do believe that this is entirely realistic. We are seeing it first-hand with more and more women putting their hand up to become more involved in leadership.

3. According to the Australian Institute of Criminology, on average, one woman a week is murdered by her current or former partner. Women who are attempting to leave their partners are facing the greatest risk, with more than 50 percent of homicides occurring within the first three months of separation. This is eerily familiar to the plight of Hannah Clarke and her three children, Aaliyah, Laianah, and Trey. Even with a domestic violence order (DVO) against her former partner, Hannah and her children were still murdered in the middle of Brisbane Street.

As a society we need to push for better prevention and justice for domestic violence victims. There are immediate things that can be done and which were suggested in the days following the tragedy, such as that any breach of a DVO should lead to jail time.

I think that these short-term solutions of immediate protections need to be heavily balanced with a long to mid-term view. Better education and an increase in access to services need to be at the forefront of this long-term strategy.

From the reports I have seen, read, and listened to, the media has handled the incident reasonably well. The media needs to continue to recognise that the way they handle factual reporting all the way through to the way they form and discuss their editorial views can have an enormous impact on how quickly we can better tackle domestic violence in this country – a murder a week is simply unacceptable.

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vox pop Isabel Ng Law and Commerce 1. Exchange Specialty Coffee 2. Black Blues Brothers 3. I don’t think that my gender has ever affected my needs in that regard.

However, the existence of clubs like TABOO and the Women’s Collective help to encourage an important culture of women supporting each other.

4. Happy 5. Gender-based discrimination.

Whether that is through the unrealistic beauty standards that we are sold, sexual harassment in the workplace, the lack of access to sanitary products in developing countries, the fetishisation of or violence towards LGBTQ + women or the right to drive, there is a multitude of ways in which women are still oppressed and discriminated against.

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Anna Haythorpe International Development and Environmental Policy and Management 1. Dumplings R Us on Rundle Street 2. I saw ‘Laser Kiwi’ last year at the Adelaide Fringe.

3. Yes I believe so 4. Motivated 5. Lack of equal opportunity in terms of education and employment, especially in developing countries. Also, stigma surrounding issues such as abortion, mental health and domestic violence.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

What is your favourite food place to visit near campus?

What was the last fringe or festival show you watched?

As a female, do you feel all your needs are met on campus?

Describe your life in one word.

What do you believe to be the greatest issue faced by women in today’s world?

Stella Salvemini International Development 1. I like Press and Grind’s Coffee.

2. Haven’t seen any yet!

3. I don’t know.

4. Hectic!

5. I want to just say misogyny, because so many issues branch from that.

Alanna Melville Arts (Advanced) 1. Any Mexican food. I often go to Salsa’s in Adelaide Central Plaza, but I have been known to walk all the way to Guzman y Gomez because their mini burrito bowls are less than $10 even after you add guac!

2. I went to Shake It, which was a combination of circus, burlesque and cabaret.

3. Yes, I think so. I try not to stay on campus after dark, but this is more to do with feeling unsafe in the city than at the uni facilities.

4. Satisfying 5. This is a difficult question because women’s experiences are so varied across the globe. Obviously, sexism cuts across class and nationality, but it affects people in different ways. I think that reproductive rights are one of the main rights which women from all levels of society have issues accessing, whether that stems from lack of education, financial oppression, misogynistic laws, or slut-shaming and prejudice.

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Robogals Sarah Peters

CLUB SPOTLIGHT

1. Why did you join the club?

I joined Robogals as I wanted to improve gender diversity within STEM and learn public speaking skills, but also do something that would be lots of fun. Robogals has definitely allowed me to satisfy all these categories — with the added benefit of making lots of new friends along the way.

2. What sorts of events does your club run?

Robogals runs workshops where we teach kids from across South Australia about robotics and coding, and where we highlight the gender discrepancies within the field.

Sometimes we travel to the schools, sometimes they visit us here on campus, and sometimes we visit multiple schools in a multi-day trip to a rural or remote area. We also run training days, where we train our volunteers in the crucial skills to run these workshops. Finally, we also run numerous ‘fun’ social events throughout the year to give back to our volunteers.

3. What has been your best experience from your membership?

My best experience would definitely be when a student approaches you after a workshop and says that they’ve become really interested in robotics because of what you’ve taught them.

It’s happened numerous times and it makes me super happy every time.

4. What are your club’s plans for the future?

We plan to run more training

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and career focused events for our members in the future. Our club would be nothing without our volunteers, so we want to do whatever we can to give back to them.

Society of Women in Space Exploration (SWISE) Zarin Tasnem 1. Why did you join the club?

I grew up watching documentaries like Carl Sagan’s Cosmos, Into the Universe with Stephen Hawking etc. They made me realise that the mysteries of space are universally awe inspiring and its conquest will ultimately become our future.

However, humanity’s history of space exploration has been, and continues to be largely dominated by men.

During late 2019, I was stoked to discover that Jamilla (our current and founding president) is starting a club addressing this exact issue, so I joined immediately.

2. What sorts of events does your club run?

This month we’re celebrating Women’s Day through the event Spill the GraviTea, a tea party where senior students share tips and tricks for excelling at university over a cup of tea and some finger food. In the past we organised a trip to a star gazing event held by ASSA. 3. What has been your best experience from your membership?

The best experience has been the connections I made with other members. It was great to join a

multidisciplinary family of space exploration enthusiasts!

The Women’s Collective Stella Salvemini

1. Why did you join the club?

The club formed to fill a muchneeded space where people can come together to discuss and advocate against feminised issues such as domestic violence, the pay gap, unequal reproductive rights, gender discrimination, racism and more. I want the club to be a network for women to find new friends and to come to with their concerns. I personally joined the club to find like-minded feminists who want to change the campus culture and make a positive impact.

2. What sorts of events does your club run?

We hold social, fundraising and advocacy events. We currently have a social ‘talko tuesday’ in the women’s room open to all women who would like a chat and to make some friends.

We have many other events in the works that will be announced soon.

4. What are your club’s plans for the future?

We are working on offering recurring events and activities as well as fundraising for various causes throughout the year. We are organising regular feminist film nights with the Film Society. We’ll also be hosting feminist book swaps. We will be collaborating for Mother’s Day to combat maternal mortality with the Rotaract Club. We will be hosting a joint event with the Minecraft Club as well as many more who have reached out to us! Keep an eye out on our Facebook page for events listed and sign up.

CLUB SPOTLIGHT

4. What are your club’s plans for the future?

Our list of future events includes a trip to Lot 14, documentary screenings, speaking events and bake sales where the proceeds go to a charity that share the same goals. We aim for personal and professional development as well as fun social activities to popularize space exploration among women, gender minorities and everyone else!

3. What has been your best experience from your membership?

My best experience from the membership has been the strong friendships formed. As well as being part of a platform where we can voice the changes that need to happen in regards to women’s rights and representation in Australia, globally as well as on campus.

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ECON DIT The power of heels Words by Katie Nguyen Why do ladies wear heels? Why is it less common for men to wear heels? What are the factors that turn heels from a want to a need? Wow, these questions are overwhelming! Let’s take a step backward to see the bigger picture.

Just imagine: putting one number in a spreadsheet doesn’t make sense, but when you add hundreds and thousands of numbers to the data, then it all starts to make sense. Similarly, if only one woman wore heels no one would pay attention or people might think that she is strange.

However, this is not the case. In the 21st century, high heels play an essential part in the everyday life of many women.

Despite the pain they cause, women have befriended their high heels. I questioned why heels seem to be so important to women. While researching the history of high heels, I found that they were introduced in the 10th century for Persian cavalry to help keep their shoes in their stirrups.

By the 17th century, one-inch heels were the norm for Persian riders as at the time owning horses was a symbol of wealth. Since then the association between wealth, power, and heels was established, and remains to this day.

Emily Alesandrini, an art historian, states that “high heels symbolise so many counterintuitive cultural tropes – femininity, professionalism, fashion, sex, privilege, power, and ambition among them.” With such value placed on a pair of high heels, it comes with a sacrifice, including physical and financial cost.

Some ladies dream of that pair of designer heels: a fancy Valentino, red-bottom Louboutins, maybe even Saint Laurent… Yet, the average cost of a pair of designer high heels is just under $1000. We definitely ‘want’ a pair, but for many of us (as uni students), designer heels are unaffordable and will remain on our bucket list for a long, long time. Just a reminder:these branded heels are often limited edition so you better start saving right away to make them yours.

Nevertheless, we should change the way we look at heels. Women feel the need for a pair of decent heels because it is the weapon that helps us fight against

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gender inequality. Interestingly, the Spine Health Institute (2016) reports that 72% of women wear high heels for their lifetime as they help them to adapt to gender expectations.

However, the meaning of wearing heels has changed over time. According to Business Insider, high heels can raise your salary. Deichmann Graceland, a German shoe brand, further justifies this finding by stating that being taller could be a factor in being promoted at work: •

“Men over 180 cm earn 10% more money” and “80% of top managers are over 180 cm tall”

These statistics are backed up by Guido Heineck of the Institute for Employment Research.

The height of an average woman is about 165 cm which means that she needs a pair of 6-inch heels to reach the eye-level of those top managers. This substantiates the importance of wearing heels for a woman. However, noting the discomfort: should this be the case?

Men have also become increasingly more aware of the power of high heels and their value, paving the way for a new trend. According to Lyst.co.uk, sales of high heels have increased since 2017 and searches for “men’s heels” have grown by 30%. These statistics can be further proven through these examples: • •

Johannes Radebe wore stiletto heels on the show Strictly Come Dancing Marc Jacobs, the famous fashion designer, posted selfies in massive heeled boots.

These examples show that men are joining the trend just as women are standing taller and reaching the higher end of the ladder. According to Catalyst (2019), the highest number of senior management roles held by women was achieved at 29%.

From another perspective, the fact that men have begun to wear high heels indicates their acknowledgement and understanding of heels as a symbol of empowerment. Since women are underrepresented in top positions in the workplace, high heels can feel like a necessity for many women as they help uphold their positions in both their careers and personal lives. But should heels hold this power?

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Women of Waite Words by Emma Aspin Ever heard of Waite? A serene place, tucked away amidst towering gumtrees, resident koalas, and plenty more to offer.

The Waite campus is part of the University of Adelaide, so all students are welcome to come and use the facilities… talk about a beautiful writing retreat, right?

Take a hike up the Waite reserve if you’re feeling fit, brush up on the history of Urrbrae House or try and find the oldest trees in the Waite Arboretum.

We hope you come to discover us soon!

In this issue we’re celebrating Women of Waite. ‘Waiters’ come from all different backgrounds and work across a range of professions. But they do have some things in common - they all make a difference and they all kick ass!

Nicola Featherstone - Health, Safety, and Wellbeing Advisor What you do: Provide HSW support and advice to staff and students.

Why you do it: I’ve always been looking to uphold the best health and safety practices during my 31 years as a research technician at Waite, but have witnessed some pretty bad ones in my time! So, I wanted to improve the overall safety performance of staff and students in the School. I see it as helping to provide professional skills to new researchers to take away and promote wherever they go.

Best bits: I get to interact with students and staff from all over the place. I now have friends all over the world with whom I still keep in contact. I receive lovely feedback from people who have benefitted from and see the value in HSW information.

Plus, I love being at Waite! I’ve been here for over 40 years; I met my husband when he came to repair a burning centrifuge for me and we were married in Urrbrae House 3 years later.

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Nicola won a SafeWork award in SA in 2009 and went on to take the National award in 2010 for her work in promoting Health, Safety, and Wellbeing.

3 buzzwords that sum up your work: · Best practice · Zero harm · Professional skills

Tanya Wilkins - Communication Manager and PhD student What you do: I work for the Fight Food Waste Cooperative Research Centre on the Waite Campus. It’s a national $120 million industry-led research centre!

I manage the communication program, including the website, events, media engagement, publications, and reports. Meanwhile, my PhD is focused on how we, as those in the ‘expert community’, talk about food waste to nonacademics, particularly how the use of narrative and storytelling can humanise the research and connect with the broader public. The ultimate aim: reduce food waste!

Why you do it: Working in a communication role is really diverse. I get to do so many different things and I get to hunt for the right people to speak at an event, or write for a particular journal. I also get to explore new ways to communicate, including developing a climate change murder mystery game in a previous role or working on Food Waste TV. I’m getting myself in front of the camera for once too!

Best bits: It is all about the people for me; finding the story in the science, knowing what the hurdles were, and how they overcame them to find success.

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Waite is an amazingly beautiful place and the Waite community is really special. I am always interested in the projects and outcomes of all the hard work. I am in awe of international students who have to deal with so much on top of producing a contribution to science: dealing with a new language, new cultural experiences, and living huge distances away from their support and family. Hats off to you all!

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3 buzzwords that sum up your work: · Detective · Diverse · Data collection

Dr Kate Delaporte - Curator of the Waite Arboretum What you do: Share the love of trees and plants with as many people as I can through teaching and talking about the Arboretum. I conduct research into plants for food, medicines and enjoyment.

Why you do it: Because humans need to reconnect with plants and the natural world. We are part of it and everything is connected; somehow we have lost touch with the natural world and I want to help people to find their connection.

Best bits: It makes me happy to work with plants and to share my passion with others!

3 buzzwords that sum up your work: · NaturePlay, · Resilience · Mindfulness

Keryn Lapidge - Waite Science Communicator What you do: Support the School of Agriculture, Food and Wine related research and industry collaborations across the University through digital and written communications, events, and activities.

Why you do it: Everything we eat, drink, and wear depends on agriculture.

Research at the University of Adelaide which looks into how we grow plants better, what varieties we grow, how we use them, and how technology can be integrated into agriculture is helping to ensure a sustainable future for agriculture and food production.

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3 buzzwords that sum up your work: · Fun · Dynamic · Creative

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Best bits: I get to work with lots of smart and wonderful people from across the University and its collaborators.

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international international student student news news

Interview by Ngoc Lan Tran Words by Angela Qin

Date of interview: 21st Feb 2020 What was happening: Due to the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), the Morrison government extended its temporary travel ban to the 29th of February. There were around 4000 University of Adelaide international students from China in 2019, most of which could not fly back in time for 2020’s O’Week.

Like these students, Angela Qin cannot fly back because of the ban. Despite being an AUU Board Member and the Chair of the Clubs Committee this year, she won’t make it back in time to witness the events that she helped bring to life; or to even deal with the craziness that the RCC has in store this year.

I have known Angela from volunteering for over a year now. This year was different because she is still back in China and not here for training. I missed her enthusiasm, her outrageous ideas, and incredible unending energies. But I’m also worried about her, so I picked up the phone, opened the WeChat app and we started chatting.

Where are you in China right now? I know that you were back for the Chinese New Year, how is it different from last year?

I’m staying in my hometown in Shandong. Since the news broke right before the Chinese New Year, my family canceled most of the celebration plans like visiting family members. Greetings changed from “wishing a prosperous year” to “stay healthy”.

What about your newly elected role as an AUU Board Director? You’re one of the few females working in the AUU this year, were you excited about that?

I have not considered my role on the AUU Board from the perspective of a ‘female’ leader, nor do I think female leaders necessarily differ from male counterparts. Though there is no doubt that different gender might influence thinking style, I believe over-emphasizing the effect of female leaders itself is an inequality – a lack of confidence, even. I don’t have anything to bring to the board as a female leader, other than what I believe are shared among all directors – an open, transparent, and efficient AUU Board.

I’m glad to see more female directors though. Since we are determined by students’ votes, that means: 1. More women are participating in student politics; and 2. More talented students are being discovered and recognised in general. Haven’t kept up with the female:male ratio in the

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board though, but I think numbers don’t matter, it’s the contribution, it’s how we represent our student body.

What plans did you have for this year as a student and a student representative? I presume that the travel ban has got in the way of you achieving these goals?

As a student, my primary concern is how would I be able to attend my courses. I’ve also had events and activities planned, for example, the Top 100 Future Leader competition, International Welcome… it’s quite troublesome for me having to cancel them.

I try to focus on the things I can do. I know there must be thousands of other students stranded in China. That’s why I collaborated with the Chinese Student Association to gather, update them with accurate information through WeChat groups, and communicate their concerns back to the university.

How has the university helped you with this travel ban?

The university has since provided Mandarin helpline on WeChat as well as a “care package” for eligible students, which grants compensation for air travel and discount for tuition fees. I’ve been in close contact with the International Student Services as well and they were committed and responsive.

There are minor issues as well – communication, responsive rate, lack of support for trimester and University College students, etc. As a student representative, these will be some of my focuses this year.

By far I can access essential university websites such as MyUni and Access Adelaide.

How do you feel about the Coronavirus? Did you think that the travel ban was necessary?

Though impacted by the ban, I understand the Australian Government’s decision. To some extent, I admire their courage to sacrifice the economy for health. If they deemed this necessary then it must be for valid reasons. I wish for the ban to be lifted, but before that happens, I hope the virus can be controlled soon.

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What do you hope for after all this?

People from China, especially the Wuhan city, won’t be discriminated against. More importantly, we need to learn from mistakes and improve ourselves, as that’s how to move forward.

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Funny enough, due to the outbreak, I have got to stay with my family for the longest time since studying overseas.

The dilemma of being an international student, I suppose.

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Is there a silver lining to this health crisis and travel ban at all?

I am no health expert and I don’t dare say yes or no.

I believe eventually there will be an end to this.

I think we all hope for the end to come, as soon as possible.

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Ground Zero: Chronicles of a woman and her endo Words by Holly Cooke So here we meet, in my little corner of ground zero. Let’s get to know each other, right here.

Don’t mind the explosions. You’ll get used to them.

Let’s talk. If women felt free to talk more, maybe we wouldn’t grow so comfortable with the nuclear warfare inside our bodies. Ignite with me and liberate yourself, you deserve this conversation.

I am talking to you from my local medical centre with an iron drip in my arm. I have chronic iron deficiency from a combination of three months of non-stop menstrual bleeding and round-the-clock nausea so intense I couldn’t eat. This is just the latest medical development of my teenage years.

Ten kilograms lost in six months – skinnier legs and lankier arms – but bloating you could mistake for pregnancy. My bangin’ ripped mum jeans don’t fit anymore – and that’s where I draw the line. I have dwelled at ground zero for seven years, and I have had enough.

Have you heard of endometriosis? She is all around you. One in ten, baby. One in ten women have this disease. And, on average, it will take eight years for them to receive an official diagnosis. Do you know what this means?

Before anything else, it means I am obligated to write this piece. I am strong enough to harness my own anxiety and frustration about my endometriosis and create awareness from a place of deep desperation.

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The eight year process for a diagnosis also means we need more honesty and less stigma. I don’t necessarily want to share the details of my journey – I am a private person.

But, to put it in PG vocabulary, I don’t care anymore. I am not interested in protecting the comfort of others at the expense of an entire community of women.

I have lost friendships, money, time, happiness, and a social life to endometriosis.

I am lucky to have a boyfriend who understands my situation but I know for sure there are men out there who don’t.

The fatigue, the bloating, the bleeding, the brain fog, the moods. In the mornings, before opening my eyes, my body robotically assumes the foetal position because of the pain. And when my entire mid-section is too tender and bloated to roll on, I know I’m in for a bad flare up.

Recommendations to take over-the-counter painkillers are laughable given the severity of my pain.Hormonal contraceptives have not worked for me, either. I will spare you the details of why they haven’t or the totally dreadful side effects they produced. But they may work for you. You see, this is part of the problem. Each woman will present different symptoms with different severity and will respond differently to different treatments. It is touch and go. But often, it is touch and fail and touch and fail again. Just when you have no more touches left to give, something will work for you. And you will soldier on. Maybe in silence, because you have not vocalised your hidden chronic illness to your family or community.

But if this is you, a silent soldier, I beg you to change this. You do not have to go through this alone. You must equip yourself with a support system and strong mental health, because hot wheat bags can only offer so much solace. Some of you might have suffered years of chronic pain and not sought the help you need. But what is worse, and actually more common, is that our medical health professionals let down women who have come for help.

So, this is where I come in.

I am a student here at the University of Adelaide. I am a second year studying science. I like collecting rocks, iced almond lattes, and mum jeans. I also enjoy schnittys and talking about politics. I am not a health professional, nor do I want to become one.

But my entire wellbeing has centred around the medical advice bestowed upon me by my doctors. This advice has meant a long road including an abdominal laparoscopy at the age of sixteen, several variants of the oral contraceptive pill, the Implanon rod, the Mirena, no hormonal contraceptives at all, a daily drug that targets nerve pain with personally irreconcilable side effects, iron infusions, the low FODMAP diet, psychologists and talk of inducing artificial menopause to relieve my chronic pain. I am 19 years old. I live in constant uncertainty about my health, and with background anxiety about my long-term wellbeing and fertility. Almost every day is a Russian roulette of migraines, fatigue, nausea and debilitating pain.

So, my role as a young woman with the disease is to educate. Education is the first step of progress and sharing my experience with you is a mechanism of awareness. I do not let my endo stop me. It slows me down, sure. For weeks on end, sometimes. But I’ll be damned – I am stronger every day for it.

If you are struggling with period pain, pain during sex, irregular periods – or just feel like something isn’t right – contact your GP and make sure you are taken seriously.

Endometriosis Australia is a fantastic resource too. They have a great webpage and a huge social media presence. I am an ambassador for this organisation and am proud to be sharing my personal story at the annual EndoMarch High Tea here in Adelaide in late March.

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Body parts are NOT trends!

Words by Taylor Jane Bardsley

Beauty standards have always determined what society deems as “desirable” throughout the ages: from the Flapper Girl of 1920 where a streamlined, up-and-down silhouette was the ideal shape, to the 1950s where screen-queen Marilyn Monroe dominated the beauty world with her enviable curvy, hourglass figure. Beauty ideals are nothing new, however, putting one body shape on a pedestal or fetishising a body part is becoming increasingly more prominent due to social media.

Ah yes, social media. We all know it has its pros and cons and this is especially true when it comes to perpetuating generally unrealistic and often harmful beauty standards. Although the body acceptance movement is growing largely due to social media’s influence, there are still specific beauty ideals running rampant on our newsfeeds.

Big lips and booties with a small nose and tiny waist are all the rage when it comes to Instagram models: often using plastic surgery as a means to gain these newly coveted assets. Whilst there’s nothing wrong with getting plastic surgery—I’m all for doing whatever makes you feel empowered within your own body—this could appear harmful l to people who naturally have these assets. This is mainly because natural assets such as big lips and larger derrieres were once used to shame and bully a person.

I felt this growing up, as I was the odd one out having big lips, since back then,

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thin lips were the beauty standard. I was then also bullied when I hit puberty and gained a curvier figure as this was during the ‘thigh-gap’ movement. This made me, an already insecure teenager, feel so uncomfortable in my body that I tried everything in my power to fight my natural body shape to fit in. This led to a lot of dangerous eating habits and body dysmorphia that followed me into my early twenties.

Now that beauty standards have changed and being “thicc” is seen as desirable, what happens to the people who were once bullied over their body type supposedly not fitting the idealised standard? I’m still trying to figure that out myself. Do I feel more comfortable and accepting of my body now that beauty perceptions are changing? Yes, because the self-love component of body positivity has worked wonders.

It’s also incredible that we’re having more discussions on the toxic standards that have been placed on our bodies.

However, I do feel slightly envious when it comes to these shifting standards because they were not the norm for me growing up. Why was my body not good enough then, but it is now? It’s just a strange concept to me.

One of social media’s amazing pros has been the growth of body positivity, with the younger generation seemingly becoming more accepting of others! I do, however, have some worries about this movement, specifically with the still

rampant idealism surrounding certain body parts. I worry about these new beauty acceptance standards changing, which they inevitably will, as we’ve already seen this pattern throughout the years. Will body positivity survive or will it become another trend? I hope it’s the former.

One thing I do know is that for full acceptance of everyone’s body shapes we need to stop categorising beauty by someone’s body type or certain assets.

Yeah, “they thicc” may be a compliment to some people, but to a lot of others, it’s just another covetable body shape that feels impossible to reach, continuing the never-ending cycle of harmful body ideals.

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Does chivalry still have a place in today’s society?

Words by Auriane Wright What do I mean by chivalry?

From the old French word chevalier—literally meaning horsemen—we all know it as the courteous behavior that men adopt towards women in some clichéd situations such as heavy lifting, opening and holding doors, etc…

Where does it come from and what was it based in?

Of course, this concept wasn’t born in our lifetime: it goes back to the Middle Ages. In the medieval knightly system, chivalry referred to the code of social, moral, and religious conduct knights had to respect. This gave birth to 3 types of chivalry: warrior chivalry, religious chivalry, and courtly love chivalry. The first two were medieval realities, created to keep knights in check. These ideals promoted honor and bravery as well as serving god and protecting the weak.

As for courtly love chivalry, that was all about proving commitment and ardor to the lady of their heart. Think series of tests (did I hear dragons?) and adventures where the endgame was being deemed worthy of their mistress’s love. Sounds like a kid’s fairytale. But has romantic chivalry ever actually existed outside of novels? Well, the only place where we are sure it existed is in European medieval literature. It would seem more likely to be written about as an ideal to aspire to rather than a mirror of reality. I always thought knights were just the really romantic type but it would seem that medieval literature played a trick on me!

Knighthood died with the end of the Middle Ages but we can still see remains of it today: chivalry morphed into a modern version of itself and was renamed gallantry while the two more serious branches inspired ideas of patriotism.

Women’s right and gentlemanly manners Jump into the future to the early 20th century,

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gallantry was defined by refined elegance and characterized by behaviors and actions of men towards women in upper-class society. When one of the first feminist movements, the upperclass suffragettes, campaigned for gender equality chivalry came under attack. By the mid20th century it was seen as old-fashioned, along with the idea of “damsel in distress”. Women were sick of being portrayed as victims through media and popular culture and wanted to be seen as independent, capable and self-reliant.

Does chivalry still have a place in a modernday society?

Women’s expectations and mentality have changed enormously since gentlemanly manners were in fashion. Our generation is embracing a new culture of acceptance, freedom, and equality. But does this mean that there is no more need for gallantry? Well firstly from a gynocentric perspective, not all women are comfortable with gallantry. Yet on the other hand, a lot of women still do appreciate it. I’ve got a foot in both camps. Here is what I’ve concluded: chivalry can sometimes cause offense because it comes across as condescending (which is irritating right!). But not all chivalry comes from the same place and perhaps let’s not “throw the baby out with the bathwater” just yet! Oppositely, as a human being, I still like to be made felt special and appreciated. This is where a modern version of chivalry can come in. Thoughtfulness and kindness with a dash of appreciation can also be interpreted as chivalry.

Furthermore, chivalrous gestures are no longer restricted to women and men in romantic exchanges. Why not extend these acts toward all people, regardless of gender, age or ethnicity? We live in a world where we are all in our little bubbles so if a nice gesture can make someone’s day nicer: why not do it!

I’m a feminist but...

Words by Maya Tlauka

In a world where political tensions are at a boiling point and many communities are divided by opinion; Deborah Frances White presents a credible and resonant message. Dismayed by her experience in working as a woman in comedy — a field that is monopolised by men — Londonbased Deborah founded The Guilty Feminist, a comedy podcast with a focus on fostering equality.

In February of this year, I was lucky enough to attend a live recording of The Guilty Feminist in Melbourne during Deborah Frances White’s tour of the Australian east coast. Deborah was joined by Australian comedian Geraldine Hickey, English activist-musician Grace Petrie, and an Indigenous rights activist from Warriors of the Aboriginal Resistance (WAR).

Each podcast, recorded in front of a live audience, begins with a segment wherein Deborah and her guests complete the statement ‘I’m a feminist but…’.

By beginning with several comedic confessions of un-feminist behaviour, the podcast reminds the audience that nobody is perfect. In a past interview with journalist Pandora Sykes, Deborah commented that the first segment of the show is “about living with your paradoxes and understanding that even though you are not 100 percent the evolution of what you could be, that doesn’t stop you being a little bit powerful today and a little bit more feminist tomorrow. “

People are too often of the impression that social change exists only as an acrobat does on a tightrope. With one step or small movement too far in the wrong direction, all progress is lost.

Deborah’s podcast reminds listeners that social change is incremental and flawed, yet powerful when embraced by many.

This sentiment is comparable to notions embraced by environmental activists, including the idea that we don’t need a few people doing zero waste perfectly, but rather many doing it imperfectly.

In addition to each episode of the podcast providing a platform for women comedians, the show also features individuals from non-comedic backgrounds who belong to the feminist causes in the spotlight. On the night I attended the live show, the discussion centred around the role of women in indigenous rights activism. In previous recordings from the Australian tour, former prime minister Julia Gillard filled the role of invited guest. By presenting locals close to the cause of feminism, the UK-based podcast successfully positioned itself in the Australian context.

The perfect hybrid of comedy and social activism, The Guilty Feminist is an entertaining and intellectually stimulating listen. It navigates the complexities of feminism in the 21st century and constitutes an engaging and highly effective call to collective action.

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INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY: A tête-à-tête with Paula Nagel Interview by Ava Viscariello

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In celebration of International Women’s Day, I am warmly welcomed into the beautiful home of local legend, Paula Nagel. With a prolific career behind her, Paula is famously known as South Australia’s first female presenter on ABC’s This Day Tonight.

Although I arrived at the interview sans my morning coffee to help compensate for my often tired, wildly unreliable and nonsensical brain, I was immediately put at ease by Paula’s infectious energy and her adorable dog Luca. Walking inside the home, I am embraced with an eclectic and immaculately coordinated curation of art, photographs, books, and maps all telling the story of Paula’s colourful and well-experienced life.

To my delight, Paula is already preparing us coffee. Before we get the interview started Paula and I already find ourselves chatting; it is almost impossible not to be all ears. With coffee in hand, I follow Paula around her home as she shows me photographs from her early days at the ABC and tells me fascinating stories. We eventually make our way to a couch and sit together to have this following chat.

Tell us about your career in Broadcast media and how you got started Paula?

Well, it’s quite hard to go that far back but I was very lucky. I had always watched television and I thought I’d like to be on camera asking questions. It was more about wanting to be an interviewer [than the glamour of television]. There was an advertisement for an audition for Channel 7, so I went along.

There were about 40 women in the crowd, and I thought this is a bit of a waste of my time. But you know I was very lucky, because they took a photograph of the 40 women, and somebody at Channel 7 put a ring around my head and talked to somebody at the ABC and the ABC called me up!

I went to see the ABC and there were two of us. They got us to do To Market To Market, which was this show which happened on a Thursday night on the ABC before the news.

It was a filler where someone would go out to the market and find the fruit and vegetables and say ‘this is the best buy this week’. So that’s what we had to do as our pilots. And for some reason or another I won that. And then I got taken over by the ABC. So after the news each night I would be sitting

on a stool talking to the camera to say, ‘don’t forget to watch Lassie Come Home tonight at 9pm’ or whatever [laughs]. In retrospect I can now see that they were setting things up to do this new current affairs show, which was a copy of the Twenty Four Hours and shows like that on the BBC. That’s how I fell on my feet.

It’s much harder these days for people in the media today.

How challenging was it for you being a female in a male dominated industry?

The show we were doing, This Day Tonight, was essentially the hard stories. Every night we had stories on Vietnam. So if they wanted a really light story, me being the only female, I’d be sent down to interview the wharfies in the middle of winter. It was a bit mean, frankly. But there were also fun times.

“It was an interesting time, I was probably used as filler for some things but I also had a , serious part to play … as an interviewer.”

I am obliged to say that one night in the studio all the lights went off after we had finished

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and I was about to come out of the studio. I had just been on camera talking — probably about Lassie Come Home [laughs] — and the next thing I knew there was somebody moving in on me. I thought this is really not very sensible. So I just told him he was an idiot and went out into the light and walked away. So yes there were some interesting times working with a male-dominated work environment. But I don’t think we considered it unpleasant, or difficult, frankly.

It is good that you stood your ground.

Yes, I did if I had to. I still can be very bossy as everybody knows. [laughs] So Paula it is an absolute honour to be here talking with you. You are a wealth of knowledge: you’ve done so much in the media industry and in so many other industries. I myself am studying media at the moment and I am still figuring out my future and where I am going. So, do you have any advice for young females starting out in the media industry?

I am so flattered, thank you, you are far too kind!

Going back — because I am only 64 as I keep telling everyone...

I am actually in my 70s, but I am 64 [laughs] — going back to those early years, we worked extremely hard.

I’ve already given away my first secret, which is always work with your team.

In my early days for example, we had a camera

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man who would say ‘have you thought of this question?’, and I probably hadn’t. So be very open to people’s suggestions [and] advice.

And in the end always remember you are part of a huge team.

But the other thing I would say is, if I was going off doing interviews — which I was [laughs] — I would work really hard. It was like an exam the night before. I would really study the papers as much as I could, and I probably overdid all that. But that is not necessarily a bad thing because when you sit down with somebody you have got to make them feel comfortable. Like you have made me feel comfortable, and then it is just two people talking, like we are just talking!

“Work in a small version in what you aim to go to in a bigger version.

See it as your first stepping stone.”

The other advice I would have, when people who have come to me and said ‘how do we get into current affairs’ or whatever, my advice has always been: go and get a job with somebody, even if it is on a small newspaper, even if is in a small television studio in the country. Just learn the fundamentals in the real jobs, in the real locations and make the tea if you have to.

International Women’s Day is an important day and I’d like to ask you Paula, what does International Women’s Day mean to you?

I think it is a wonderful recognition of the role of women. If you go across history you have had the Indira Gandhis, Hillary Clintons, Margaret Thatchers; all those high-profile women who have led whole countries. It is the role of women in society. There is a lot more respect for what women contribute and whether it be the mother in a family of little kids, or whether it is ruling a country.

That is a beautiful takeaway, respect and love. Also what do you think International Women’s Day means or should mean for men?

Respect and Love. What we just said. And recognition that women are intellectually men’s equals. I care about the intellectual level, that we all have this capacity to think and then to act.

And at the end of the day we are all humans first, so of course we would have the same emotional or mental abilities.

And we have all grown up together from little kids, where we were equal. I reckon it should stay like that. I like that word respect, because most things should be based on that I think.

“Thank heavens for women. I am very happy to be a woman, I have enjoyed being a woman, and I respect all these wonderful women that have achieved so much for us.”

My own mother was a great influence on me, she was a dressmaker. My mother worked hard, she was a professional in her own little way. I think the role of women has changed radically since then.

The recognition of women and the women’s role is very, very important and it’s great to be invited to the breakfast here in Adelaide at the Convention Centre. We have 2,000 women plus a few schoolgirls who are gorgeous and are all part of that.

So yes, it is respect and love.

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MODESTY, FAIRNESS, AND LESBIANS Words by Teresa Kellargias

A CONVERTED INDOOR POOL Our tour guide stops us between two buildings. The shade in the narrow thoroughfare between the tall Tokyo city structures creates a tunnel of wind so cold my nose starts to sting. We rest against our e-bikes, the garishly red things we have been using to dodge people on the footpaths like characters in Mario Kart. We wait.

The guide waits, too. He stands, nonchalant, chatting about the small, bronze Godzilla statue we recently rode past. It doesn’t take us long to notice a group of roughly one hundred Japanese women, separated three-ways by the colour and patterns of their scarves. They are quiet, patient and expectant. Just like us, they wait.

The women stand in front of a grey, Westernstyle building, the red letters “TAKARAZUKA” falling in a column down its side. Our guide explains that The Takarazuka Revue is a musical theatre troupe , initially born out of a failed business venture, comprised only of female actresses. In 1913, founder Ichizo Kobayashi originally sought to open a shinonsen resort to get more passengers onto the Hankyu Railway, but when this proved unsustainable, decided to turn the building into something that could be used for entertainment.

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The first Takarazuka Revue theatre was a converted indoor pool, so different to the beautiful amalgamation of brick and mortar that I gaze up at now. Not that I’m allowed to get too close, as it would be an affront to these women. We are not part of the fan club.

The women’s scarves are coloured for the troupe of actresses they are in the fan club for: either the Flower, Moon, Snow, Star or Cosmos troupe. They are waiting for the actress who belongs to their favourite troupe to leave the theatre, to greet her and give her specially-made gifts. This is an event that happens every day, no matter the weather.

When the women learn that a specific actress will appear first, one group moves aside, allowing the related fan club to take the centre spot right across from the building’s exit. The movement is smooth and polite, such a contrast to the screams and pushing in reaction to celebrities we usually see in the West.

IMPORTED In mid-1600s Japan, the iconic Kabuki Theatre only employed male actors, as women were banned from performing. Male actors who specialised in female roles (onnagata) were sought after for their beauty and played erotic parts in performances. Even when women

were barred from the stage, men were able to objectify the female presence -- the female body.

The use of males as stand-ins for women cannot entirely be viewed as a strictly heterosexual practice, however. After the show, these actors were available as prostitutes to female or male clients. This practice was later banned, not because people opposed homosexual relations but because vicious fights broke out in the audience over the onnagata.

Ancient Japan was not hostile towards homosexual relationships. Some Shinto gods are even guardians of male-male love.

This changed when the Japanese empire re-opened its doors to the West and adopted more Western and Christian ideologies.

“When Japan imported homophobia,” my tour guide quipped.

In the early days of the Takarazuka, romantic and sexual relationships between actresses and fans, and actresses and actresses were common, especially those that included an otokoyaku -- a female actress who specialises in male roles. It wasn’t until these relationships came to public light in the 1920s that a strict ban on them was put in place.

What would the Takarazuka be like if its inception was before Japan’s importation of homophobia? Would it have turned into Kabuki theatre, banning relationships between actors and patrons due to increased violence and possessiveness? I think of the gentle female fan base I saw on that cold February day.

Takarazuka has been called Nylon Kabuki, a superficial and gaudy version of Kabuki theatre. But isn’t everything by women trivialised in this way when compared to its male counterpart?

DOSEIAI Why are the majority of the fans waiting here women? Female-dominated media in Japan, such as idol anime like Love Live, gather huge,

dedicated male fan-bases.

The first theory: female fans are attracted to the female eroticism and sexuality of the Takarazuka.

The Takarazuka Revue features only heterosexual love stories, but like Kabuki, cannot escape its lesbian-coding due to every role being played by a woman. Women kiss, women swoon over other women. In The Rose of Versailles, the play attributed to the ongoing modern success of the Takarazuka, the characters lust after another actress (playing Oscar) so much it causes them to faint.

Documented homosexuality in ancient Japan is primarily between two men, and when relationships between women are mentioned, they are rarely discussed in depth. When the idea of sexual relations between two females became prominent in modern thinking, a new term doseiai was introduced. This later became the standard term to use to describe all homosexuality.

Majority of the discourse around lesbian or rezubian Japanese women only came to light in post-war Japan.

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When I asked the tour guide what Japanese people thought of homosexuality today, he said that opinions were mixed, like most countries, but it was not something people discussed. This isn’t done with malicious intent but is rather a societal custom to keep the personal matters private. A Japanese person may not care that someone is homosexual, but majority of the time, they simply do not wish to know about it. This is also the case in heterosexual couples -- Japanese streets are free from the public displays of affection commonly seen in the West.

Adult adoption is a huge practice in Japan. It is dominated by the adoption of young to middle-aged men by CEOs as a way to keep a business in the “family,” and as a way for families to choose a new heir if their current heir is deemed inadequate, continuing the family name and legacy. Another market for adult adoption, one that is considered an open secret, is for LGBTQ+ couples. In the absence of gay marriage rights in Japan, the older person in the homosexual couple formally adopts the younger one and enters their name into their family registry. They are given all the rights they would have otherwise been denied, such as inheritance and hospital visits.

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Even if the LGBTQ+ community in Japan today does not suffer the same disapproval that it did in the 1920s, homosexual relationships not being discussed openly limits how a society and government can progress in giving LGBTQ+ people equal rights to heterosexual people. Whenever a group is silenced, through malicious intent or ancient taboos, they will continue to be pressed into the margins, unable to escape.

It is no surprise that a Japanese lesbian or bisexual woman would feel liberated to see open displays of female-female affection, no matter how obscured they are by costumes and make-up. The margins are broken by dancing in the spotlight and singing, as loud as humanly possible.

THING CALLED FEMALE The second theory: Japanese women love to see other women challenge gender roles.

An otokoyaku, in order to play their role, must act as a man does. Suddenly, a woman can harness what a man can -- the freedom, the opportunities, the power to stand up for himself and build his place in the world. Japan can uphold extremely rigid gender roles, so it is justified that a Japanese woman would

feel inspired seeing other women amend the strict definitions imposed on their gender.

Even if a woman is unable to break from these gender roles in her own life, she can watch the Takarazuka Revue and imagine herself in the place of an otokoyaku.

It is not only the fans who enjoy this subversion of gender, this complete restructuring of self and self-image. Some actresses become otokoyaku from a desire to challenge the realms of their acting. Some actresses become otokoyaku because they display more masculine traits inherently: a deep voice, wider shoulders. However, some have other intentions. Mastu Akira, an otokoyaku who retired in 1982, once said, “Even though I am female, the thing called ‘female’ won’t emerge at all.”

Simply being a part of the Takarazuka can be an individual protest against the societal norms pressed onto women. The actresses strive for a career which projects them into the light when society would rather they stay hidden at home behind brick walls. Some actresses stay in the Revue well into their thirties, past the socially accepted marriage age. Kobayashi wanted to use the Takarazuka Revue to create good wives and mothers, to create an institution where “modesty, fairness and grace” reigned supreme, but little did he know of the power of women to transform what little they are given and make it empowering.

This subversion of gender roles also expands to how the otokoyaku play their male roles. Instead of the brash male figures that dominate mainstream media, the male roles in Takarazuka are inherently more feminine -- softer and gentler. Fans watch a “perfect” man, one who could only be crafted in the hands of another woman.

otokoyaku dressed in glittering jumpsuits and wore wigs teased to new heights. The typical otokoyaku make-up was also changed, swapping the severe contouring that creates the “male” look for pastel face make-up.

Even when playing male roles, the make-up of the otokoyaku is dramatic: thick eyebrows, heavy eyeliner and high eyeshadow framing their eyes -- not something a typical man would wear. It is extremely reminiscent of Western drag make-up, using powders and pigments to exaggerate features and take on the attributes of another gender.

Takarazuka not only subverts what it means to be a woman and a man, but also questions what it means to be neither, exploring the world of non-binary genders that are finally being discussed in modern discourse. It is a place where gender is a guide book, rather than a rule book.

Regardless of whether it is the first theory, the second theory, a mixture of the two or neither that attracts female fans to Takarazuka, there is no denying that the theatre creates a magnificent fantasy world, packed to the brim with uplifting musical numbers, transcending stage productions and beautiful costumes and jewels. It is a world where female-female relationships are celebrated with stage lights and dance sequences. It is a world where men can be soft and caring, where you can experiment with your gender identity freely.

It is a world where women can have the main stage and free themselves from the societal cages built to keep them small.

We leave our spot near the Takarazuka building. The sun pushes through the cold and warms me from the inside, my heart thumps but not from the exertion of riding a bike, and I wish it was a world I could always inhabit.

In 1985, a show named Androgyny featured on The Takarazuka Revue stage. It was written by a male playwright, and as the name would suggest, featured androgynous characters instead of the typical male roles. The

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Influencers influencing everyone but themselves Words by Shona Swart “Morning” I remark, a smile painted upon my face despite an 8:30am shift. “Morning.

Everything okay? You look ill.” States a coworker, leaving me not only bare faced but exposed. I am the embodiment of insecurity.

Why did I choose not to wear makeup today, I question. Many women like myself live our daily lives dictated by society’s standards of beauty. This is just the start of how influencers have warped our perception of not only our ‘ideal’ physical appearance but our internal conversations about what we put on our face.

I awake in the morning, crusty eyed, the remnants of sleep apparent on the reflection staring back at me in my toothpaste stained mirror. I apply my manuka honey face peel ($180 per pot) and remove the dead skin cells from my face along with two days’ pay.

I reluctantly use this expensive honey once a week, but each time I’m quietly fuming at how I was swindled by an Instagram ad that claimed this product would make my life better. I love a good recommendation; but is it really a true recommendation if we don’t know whether this model sold out to promote a product she may have used once? We need to be more realistic and consider products that work for us, not listen to people paid to read a script.

Next - cleanser. A more reasonable $13. I chose this because of its ethical production, so I experience no resentment as I rub away the sleep from my fossilised eyes. No virtual influences were taken into consideration, only the opinions of my friends and my personal love of thoughtful skincare. I then smear sensitive sunscreen ($15 per tube) all over my glass-of-milk-complexion because I don’t want melanoma. This recommendation probably came from the slip slop slap seek and slide ads, so I don’t have a commentary on how that seagull with a lisp needs to

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adjust his attitude. It’s just common sense that sunscreen is a good idea.

Finally, I rub moisturiser ($180 a bottle) onto my sun screened face to negate my resemblance to Casper, because the price on it doesn’t make me feel too friendly. “Your skin is so thirsty- it needs this product to hydrate it!” I hear the echo of a conversation I had with the salesperson. I remember thinking to myself that her skin was absolutely glowing and asked her if she used this range as well. Pause… “Of course”, she says, but I remember my lie detector blaring in my mind.

My skin did feel pretty moist, so I purchased it, supposedly using her employee discount of 30% because I was hesitant to get it in the first place. How much of that interaction was motivated by commission and how much was genuine concern for the health of my skin? $398 and a long black later, it’s still noted at work that I exude bad health without cosmetics masking my blemishes. Will I be undoing the health choices I made for my skin by caking it with foundation for the validation of a co-worker? Plastering my face with makeup won’t make me as happy as pictures of women ecstatic about their new lipstick. We need to rewrite our narrative.

Back ourselves and change our thought patterns so that if this remark is made again, we can respond with an ‘I’m not ill, feeling great today actually. Why do you ask?” We need to speak up, unapologetically. We will never truly be happy externally if we aren’t happy internally. If we change our mental conversations, we won’t be phased by what influencers want for the businesses they support, and instead we will be influenced by what suits us best. That comes at no monetary cost at all.

Are you sure this is how we save the world? It sounds expensive.

Words by Theodora Galanis I am writing this rant while wearing a pair of organic cotton jeans from Everlane ($119). I also just smeared Herbivore’s Vegan Glow Potion all over my skin ($93). I felt good buying these things last year. I was a smart, environmentally conscious consumer who chose to support companies doing the right thing.

This week, I ordered a Parker metal reusable razor so that I could waste less plastic ($45). I won’t stop shaving but I can buy less stuff. Or more expensive stuff, less often. Or now that I think about it, just as often. But the stuff is better?

I can’t be the only one who feels confused.

Through an inescapable torrent of eerily tailored digital advertising, we are told that in order to save the world, we need to buy things. That’s an expensive exercise. It is also easier to do so than ever before.

In March 2018, Instagram added an explore shopping channel, and a year later, Paypal announced that they are partnering with the photo platform for its new checkout experience. These technological advancements, combined with a surge of cookie-cut sponsored posts, mean that my digital world is flooded with products which perfectly suit my eco-chic tastes. In 2019, Facebook reported that 46% of people who view a product on Instagram make a purchase online or in-store. Guilty.

Saving the planet is starting to stink like consumerism, or that Malin+Gotez cannabisscented “earth-friendly” wax candle that I sniffed in Mecca last week ($88). I’m now looking down at my super cool light wash jeans. Did I actually reduce the amount of toxic chemicals being pumped into the earth by buying these pants? I guess, if I was forced to purchase either them or another pair from a standard retailer. But then again, I just could have not bought them at all.

This model of eco-consumerism is not just a disgusting display of my class privilege, it also seems to have an annoying feminine sensibility. Protecting the environment is girls’ work. Kind of like cleaning the house – a job best done with Bondi Wash’s eco-friendly bench spray ($22).

A 2016 study published in the Journal of Consumer Research shows that femininity and ‘greenness’ have become psychologically linked. Both men and women believe that eco-friendly products and behaviour are kind of girly. Moreover, the same study showed that guys may even be motivated to avoid green behaviours in order to reassert their manliness. So, tragically, men won’t buy that Assembly the Label reusable canvas tote bag . . . but I will ($40).

Can I be green and not be feminine? Can I be green and not spend money? Should I just delete Instagram? There are no answers here.

But definitely no more new jeans, either.

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artist feature artist feature artist feature artist feature artist feature artist feature

stupid cupidbydesigns connie francis Connie is a local Adelaide artist and designer that makes custom painted leather and denim jackets. Her designs are perfect for any occasion whether you want a statment piece to show off on the street or a unique outfit for your wedding.

You can follow Stupid Cupid Designs on social media: Facebook: @stupid.cupid.designs

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1. How did you get into making art? Where does your passion come from?

I was always drawing and making as a kid. I get more personal satisfaction when I can touch and feel the thing I have created rather than computer generated artwork. Thats why I doodle on everything I can get my hands on.

2. Where did the idea for your business come from? Can you tell us a little about it?

My amazing big sister got married in November of last year, and said nope to the traditional wedding! She wanted a customised Harry Potter quote jacket to wear over her pink dress and gold Doc Martens. Stupid Cupid was born!

3. What are some highlights from your design career?

I created ice cream tubs for Gippsland Jersey Dairy though a university project. The ice cream sales profits were going to farmers who were having a tough time. It involved watercolour illustrations of different Australian native flavours and it is my favourite thing I have ever created!

4. In what way do you think your jackets impact on the “traditional” wedding customs and dress code?

The want for a more unique experience for the bride, groom, and guests is growing and having a customised piece you can wear to show your personality on your big day is rising in popularity. Its not changing traditional wedding customs and dress codes, its evolving them! I think it’s also super cool that it’s the one thing you can keep on wearing after the day.

5. Who are your female role models in art and design?

My current favourite artist is Rachel from @ Imakestagram, she makes the coolest tinsel jackets!

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Why I am a feminist inside and out Words by Anonymous From day dot I have always cared about women’s rights: that will never change.

My feminism has had to adapt. I’ve gone from seeing sexism to experiencing it.

And the patriarchy has had more of an impact on my life than I ever could have imagined.

Go back a few years and I was incredibly excited about a festival lineup. I stressed about my outfit, ordered frantically from The Iconic and when the day came I felt confident in mesh and glitter. It was halfway through the day and I was lining up to get drinks. From behind, I felt someone grab hold of my neck with both hands. It was tight. Then he let go. I spun around and it was a guy of about a similar age with someone younger than him. I heard the older say to the younger “that’s how girls like it”. I didn’t really know how to react. I laughed it off to my friend and moved away. Now being touched on the neck makes me want to recoil. Even tight necklaces make me feel uncomfortable.

I have a few choker necklaces just sitting in their box now. Whether I recognised it at the time that was my first run-in with rape culture. My naïve feminism faced true hatred of women and changed from that moment. Now I will always believe women and their stories, and hope people believe mine.

Go forward to university, I had new friend groups. One of them made a few comments that I considered out of line.

I tried having a few conversations to explain why the comments weren’t okay.

However, I was treated like I didn’t do enough to stop or curb his behaviour.

I will always maintain that the onus of calling out and stopping sexist behaviour doesn’t fall on women: it falls on everyone. My feminism after this became headstrong.

About a year ago, I started getting abdominal pain. It disappeared with muscle relaxants so I thought nothing of it. Then six months later it returned.

Women’s health is particularly difficult to diagnose and treat because of a few factors. One of those being that decision makers haven’t invested enough into women’s health. The condition that I’m being treated for now didn’t exist a few years back because male doctors never really investigated enough and women’s health was never really funded enough.

I don’t hate men. Advocating for women’s rights doesn’t take away from the efforts to improve men’s mental health and reduce suicide rates. We are all fighting gender stereotypes. And that fight should be together. My brand of feminism isn’t perfect. I will never pretend that it is. I have more to learn about supporting those that aren’t as privileged and extending my feminist voice to anyone that needs it. But I am a feminist inside and out.

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We are living in a material world and I am (trying really hard not to be) a Material Girl!

Words by Michelle Roylance

“So and so’s 21st is coming up, do you want to go dress shopping?”

“But I wore that one to Eva’s party in March!”

“SALE SALE SALE” As women we hear it all, reasons and excuses to go out and buy a new outfit that often just sits in our closet!

Is it marketing? Peer pressure? Or is it our own insecurities that lead us to contribute to one of the biggest liabilities to environmental disaster at the moment?

When I receive an invitation to an event, after checking out all the details, browsing the guest list and then clicking the ‘going’ button, the next thing I think about is what I’m going to wear. I’ll do a quick mental browse of my wardrobe, find something I wore that was a big hit in the past and then forget about it until about a week before my event.

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This week is when I fall into dangerous territory. It is during this time that the group chats start buzzing with outfit-counselling -

colour schemes, dress styles, heels or wedges, gold or rose gold, hair up or down - and my brain jumps to my planned outfit. Shadows start to loom, and I decide it’s just not good enough.

I minimise my course readings and straight away start browsing ASOS for something better. But of course if I’m getting a new dress, I’ll need new shoes.

New tab --> ‘NOVO’. Okay but new shoes, that’ll need new accessories --> I open up ‘Lovisa’s’ page. If I leave my lecture a bit early on Tuesday, I’ll have time to drop in before I catch the bus to work. Oh! If I’m getting new accessories, I’ll also need to stop at ‘Collette’ to get a new clutch, so I should probably just skip the lecture completely.

Fast forward to two days before the event; I’m behind in uni, I paid extra for express shipping, I have two pairs of earrings that my mum says look exactly the same, I’m trying to break in my new shoes that rub the side of my big toe, and my wardrobe looks like it’s about to throw up.

I go to the event, people say ‘you look so lovely,’ I feel good, I’m proud of myself for spending that $400, this is definitely an outfit I will wear again… The problem is that I feel this way about all my outfits, but I hardly ever wear them again! Why do I fall into that self-doubt week before the event?

Mary didn’t. Mary showed up to the event in a dress we all knew she wore to a party two months ago, and everyone told her she looked lovely. Mary isn’t behind in lectures, Mary isn’t out $400, Mary doesn’t have a blister on her big toe, and Mary isn’t running out of space in her wardrobe. Mary is smart. Mary is also

more sustainable than me.

So how can I be like Mary?

Well, I could unsubscribe from ASOS and all my other online shopping subscriptions, remove these distractions and avoid getting caught up in the fashion habits of my friends during selfdoubt week. .

Like Poppy Moore in Wild Child, I could convince all my gals to go op-shopping one day, or suss out online second-hand clothing groups , such as Facebook Marketplace or Depop.

I could look into a clothes swap events; they’re advertised on Facebook all the time.

I could browse some of my friend’s wardrobes and let them browse mine.

Or if I really do have to buy something new, I could make the choice to support companies that are trying to be more sustainable by using friendlier materials, ethical manufacturing and making to order instead of making to stock: • Pact • Everlane • Tradlands • Eileen Fisher • Wholesome Couture • The truth is the fashion industry is contributing to landfill and waste accumulation, water pollution, and excess productions, and we as the consumers of their wares are the ones who can make a difference by changing our shopping habits.

In the words of Eileen Fisher: ‘Stop and breathe before shopping…’

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Don’t watch what you put in, watch what you put out (with friends) Words and art by Theodora Galanis An illustrated collection of some of my favourite quotes from friends who remember hearing things they didn’t really need to hear.

ugh this croissant is so naughty!

you like eating breakfast?

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No seriously, Bali belly was actually kind of good for my bloating.

wow she looks soooooo good!

Her arms are tiny!

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A SEX EDUCATION FOR PUBLIC TRANSPORT Words by Sarah McLean

Netflix’s Sex Education has been highly praised for its exploration of sensitive topics, including sex, asexuality, abortion, gender identity, bullying and sexually transmitted infections. In its recently released second season, the coming-of-age teenage drama addressed a different issue which sparked a global conversation.

For those who have yet to see it, Aimee Gibbs (Aimee Lou Wood) catches the bus to school and a man masturbates on her leg. She shouts for help on the full bus but bystanders refuse to respond. Aimee initially excuses the man’s behaviour as an isolated episode. She tries to convince herself that the situation was understandable, calling the cum stain on her jeans ‘kind of like a penis having a sneeze.’

However, she experiences physical and psychological distress following the incident; she is haunted by visions of the man, physically can’t step onto the bus, and fears being touched by her boyfriend.

Netflix’s representation of public sexual assault, trauma and denial was commended by women internationally. One woman tweeted, “Hands down going to go down as one of the most powerful scenes to come out of television this year,” and another, “Sex

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Education really be showing how trauma doesn’t sink in quickly but when it does, it will make you fear things that you could do or places you go to before.”

Why has this scene so intimately resonated with viewers? The dreadful truth is that this scene captures all too well the experience of, in the words of Sex Education’s writer Laurie Nunn, ‘[moving] through the world and not feeling entirely safe.’

Feeling vulnerable and on-guard is a reality that most women experience daily. We hold our keys between our fingers when we walk down unlit streets. We dance around our friends in clubs to physically barricade them from creepy men. We text each other when we arrive home safely. And, we are taught that this self-protection is our own responsibility.

Following the rape and murder of Melbourne comedian Eurydice Dixon in 2018, an early police response attempted to give advice on rape prevention: ‘Make sure you have situational awareness. Be aware of your own personal safety. If you’ve got a mobile phone, carry it; if you’ve got any concerns, call the police.”

Yet, Dixon was allegedly sharing her digital location when she was attacked on her walk home from her tram stop. While it is often necessary that we take measures to keep ourselves safe, advising us to be more cautious, to a slight degree, reinforces the idea that victims are responsible for violence perpetrated against them. This is not to disregard the fact that, for many women, being aware of their social context has allowed them to minimise potential encounters; after all, the existence of sexual offenders itself is proof that we can’t fully trust strangers.

Nonetheless, telling women to be more careful creates a culture of self-blame for victims of sexual assault.

In 2011, a sixteen-year-old girl was sexually assaulted on the Outer Harbour train by 35-year-old Sayed Mohammed Sidaqat.

Passengers passively watched for twenty minutes as he touched her breasts and pushed her hands to his groin. The silence of the bystander effect never screamed so loud. Like Aimee in Sex Education, this minor experienced not only the trauma of sexual assault, but the trauma of being helpless in a visible and public space. Contrary to the police statement on Dixon’s rape, this girl’s possession of a mobile phone did not solve anything – ‘situational awareness’ did not stop witnesses on the train from refusing to intervene. If anything, this incident reinforced yet again the fact that victims of sexual assault should never be blamed for the actions of their perpetrator. Women do not ‘ask for it’, and this was clear to the observing bystanders.

At what point would a bystander on a train intervene if they saw someone being assaulted? Would they wait until visible penetration was taking place? Do they actually understand physical touching to be a form of assault? What would supporters of ‘situational awareness’, to quote Dixon’s police, say to both victims and bystanders here?

And perhaps the question that Sex Education asks so well, is this: if we struggle to recognise incidents such as Aimee’s as sexual assault, and if our shared understanding of sexual

assault creates a normative framework for the matter, what actually constitutes sexual assault? If society doesn’t recognise Aimee’s encounter as sexual assault, then we are legitimising her perpetrator’s actions as acceptable. By this logic, it would be okay for adults to masturbate on each other and their children. Bold statement, but think about that.

In a survey conducted by The Conversation in 2018, 79% of 500 female tertiary students said that they had been victims of unwanted sexual advances on public transport within the previous three years. Only 5.7% of these students said they reported their experience to police. A different survey from the Australian Human Rights Commission revealed that of University students sexually assaulted in 2015 and 2016, 22% were harassed on trains, busses and trains.

While sexual assault is never permissible or justified, there seems to be little social and legal risk for perpetrators on public transport.

On trains and buses, perpetrators are in close proximity to victims within a confined space.

Their actions are partly legitimized by silent bystanders. This was certainly the case for the Aimee in Sex Education and the young girl on the Outer Harbour line. Transport lines and walking routes also offer sexual predators a passage for stalking, as in the case of Dixon’s rape and murder. All of these women expected to feel safe on and leaving public transport. Yet, all of them were assaulted.

There is clearly much work to be done regarding sexual violence and harassment on a broader level. There is also much work to be done on raising awareness of different types of sexual assault, including verbal and physical harassment in public spaces. It is evident that we need this awareness given that witnesses are often too influenced by other bystanders to intervene. I don’t have the answers on how to eliminate all cases of sexual harassment, but I think, like my fellow viewers of Sex Education, that we need to better acknowledge different types of assault, such as that experienced by Aimee. We need to accept their truth, terror and trauma. Only then can we help each other move forward.

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Words by Julia Ball

You’re twenty-four, entering the final year of your law/commerce degree when you realise something shocking; you’ve been attending uni for four years and haven’t found the woman of your dreams. With a life as demanding as yours, you simply won’t have time to find a girlfriend after you start your job at your dad’s firm. It shouldn’t be too hard to find your future wife, you just want what any man wants.

You can picture her now.

She has naturally dirty blonde hair – the kind you can only get from hours at a salon. She wears an oversized AFL guernsey to sleep and wakes up with tousled curls and minty fresh breath. She has a 25” waist, but hips big enough to bear at least four children – hopefully all boys. She never swears, but she can rap all of ‘The Nosebleed Section’ without missing a beat.

She’s sexy. She’s daring. She’s still a virgin.

She’s impressed by your friends and laughs at your jokes. She goes shopping with your mom on the weekends. She looks like a cat person, but she owns a three-legged dog named Bruiser. He’s a rescue, of course.

She goes to the Uni Bar every Friday and the Fat Controller every Saturday. She drinks just enough to get horny, but still wakes up early on Sunday to make you blueberry pancakes.

You know she’s out there somewhere, just waiting for you to rescue her.

Better get started on the search as soon as you can, though. Knowing your luck, all the good girls will be taken by May. God forbid you get stuck with a vegan, or something.

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Weighing in on Jameela Jamil Words by Maya Tlauka

Known for her role as Tahani Al-Jamil in the popular NBC show The Good Place, actress Jameela Jamil has recently faced extensive criticism for allegedly making false health claims. The controversy surrounding her health claims were sparked by journalist Tracie Egan Morrissey who used Instagram to present ‘evidence’ demonstrating the likeness of Jamil’s behaviour to that of Munchausen’s syndrome. The syndrome is characterised by claims of experiencing a factitious health disorder, often to elicit sympathy.

Swiftly refuting these claims, Jamil provided credible clarification as to the nature of her complicated medical history. Most notably, she elaborated on her diagnosis of Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, a chronic disease affecting the connective tissues in the body. Sometimes misrecognised as Munchausen’s, Ehlers Danlos Syndrome is often an invisible and difficult ailment to diagnose. It is unsurprising that an individual with a chronic condition would have a complicated medical history, one which could be misinterpreted and misrepresented by somebody without the appropriate medical training (read: Morrissey).

As of late, Jamil has also been condemned for her role as a judge on the HBO reality television show Legendary. The show provides insight into the culture of drag balls and vogueing in the LGBT+ community.

Outrage was expressed by many as Jamil was

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perceived as an outsider to the vogueing community, assumed to be heterosexual.

Jamil was quick to identify herself as queer, something she had been fearful of doing in the past, to quell the torrent of complaints being voiced by the show’s audience.

Perhaps the most ludicrous aspect of both online debacles surrounding Jamil has been the fact that she carries out outstanding activism in the realm of body positivity and so is one woman, amongst so many others, who is completely undeserving of having her name dragged through the mud by someone trying to make a quick dollar selling fake news. Jamil takes an active role in fighting the dangerous attitudes that she herself has fallen victim to on her well-regarded Instagram account ‘I Weigh’ which has garnered the support of one million followers and promotes ‘radical inclusivity’. Shunning the obsession of the mainstream media on body weight, the account instead encourages people to embrace all aspects of their identity.

Rather than being celebrated for her intersectional identity, Jamil’s narrative has been controlled by a culture of fake news and sensational headlines. Unfortunately, as in this case, the voices of women are disregarded and abused by others as they are not thought to be credible within themselves.

As members of modern society, we must continue to call out those who perpetuate harmful dialogues about women.

What I wish I knew as a young woman entering adulthood Words by Habibah Jaghoori Every young woman entering adulthood is thrown into a maze of fresh contemplations.

These contemplations are the key to creating oneself. Growing up means change, and change is knocking on your door with a set of demands. You open and greet it with uncertainty, doubt and fear. Each and every young woman on the brink of adulthood must enter this maze. For each, this is completely different, yet each must navigate through it.

What do I wish I knew as an adolescent woman entering adulthood?

Firstly, I wish I knew that as a human being with a soul, I am made up of many faculties. A spirit, mind and body interlinked to form “I.” The maze of adulthood is windy and long. It’s designed to test us. It forces us to confront the world with all its complexities bringing forth the questions of responsibility and duty. The response we articulate back is everything.

As a young woman standing within reach of adulthood, stepping into the unknown, I wish I knew that in order to truly steer myself in the right direction, I must nurture and pay attention to all my faculties; that to attain genuine well-being, I have to understand the needs of my own building blocks. Life is always changing, and people come and go.

However, if I don’t nurture all of me, life will pass by and I will always remain the same.

That is why ignorance is often stubborn. To rid yourself against ignorance you have to confront parts of yourself to which you are bound. Heaving the illness involves a lot of internal work.

I wish I knew that the answers on how to adhere to my needs are not found in the products of people, but rather, I have found what I need in the system of nature. Being a woman is one of my most important identities and had I just trusted the law - ‘good put in is always good received’ - I would have saved myself from many setbacks. I wish I knew that by only paying attention to one faculty and ignoring the others I am oppressing myself.

By doing so, I cannot fruitfully respond to the world when I am not free. I wish I knew the power of prayer. The impact of prayer and the miracle of prayer.

Adulthood /’adĀlthÖd/ Noun · Temporary distractions will just leave you with the task of having a bigger mess to clean up afterwards. Own up to what’s wrong as soon as you understand and fix it. · Mistakes are only human. This doesn’t mean you have to despair and start walking back on your path. · Women have the natural gift of softness.

Protect your softness and learn to equip it with firmness. This way you will know when to love and when to strike and what the difference means.

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Don’t you sometimes wish that all the amazing songs that make you love being a woman were all in the same place for you to access easily?

Lucky for all you music lovers out there, the Women’s Collective have put their fabulous heads together and brought you a list of their favourite tunes to groove to when they need to feel empowered. Featuring the breathtaking Lizzo, the unique Montaigne, the timeless Cher, local artist Stellie, and so many other inspiring female musicians, go find this motivating playlist on Spotify and rock out in the car, give a concert in the shower and just appreciate everything that makes you the amazing woman that you are!

Feel free to message the Collective via their Facebook page if your favourite female power ballad is missing.

Here’s a taste of what you can expect to find: Good as Hell Truth Hurts Let’s Forget We Were in Love READY is this all I am good for?

Strong Enough Woman’s World Save Up All Your Tears S.L.U.T Yes Girl Girl on Fire Girl Can’t be Herself God is a Woman Pretty Hurts Run the World (Girls) Hard Out Here Independent Woman

Hijabi (Wrap my Hijab) Future is Female

Lizzo Lizzo Stellie Montaigne Montaigne Cher Cher Cher Bea Miller Bea Miller Alicia Keys Alicia Keys Ariana Grande Beyoncé Beyoncé Lily Allen Destinys Child Mona Haydar Madame Gandhi You don’t Own Me Lesley Gore Can’t Hold Us Down Christina Aguilera U.N.I.T.Y. Queen Latifah Respect Aretha Franklin Sit Still, Look Pretty Daya Video India.Arie Not Your Barbie Girl Ava Max Confident Demi Lovato Fight Like a Girl Zolita Q.U.E.E.N Janelle Monàe ft.

Eryka Badu You Say Lauren Daigle

Search Spotify for : ‘WoCo Women’s Playlist’

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Book Review Bad Feminist by Roxane Gay Words by Ngoc Lan Tran

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ublished in 2014, Bad Feminist by Roxane Gay remains one of the most important books I have read in the last few years. With that being said, it was not a personal favourite. On the one hand, I wholeheartedly enjoyed Gay’s beautiful, witty and hilarious writing, which made me laugh, feel, and even fangirl along with her at times.

I loved that she offered an intimate and critical look at pop culture and urged us to wake up and stop taking things for granted. However, I still think the book could have been better executed in its exploration of ‘bad feminism’ as a topic. Despite Gay’s wonderful writing, I felt the book

forced me into scrutinising every medium of pop culture and how they are not as feminist as they seem. I wouldn’t mind this at all, if only there was an eventual conclusion about how these portrayals of women are collectively creating a monstrous construction of ‘feminism’ that more people feel like they need to think twice or thrice about before openly supporting this ideology.

Bad Feminist begins with the premise that today’s ‘feminism’ has been a dogmatic ideology that infringes a capability to represent women of all backgrounds. Just as masculinity can become toxic, ‘feminism’ has been

taken over by the stereotypical sex-hating, men-hating, always righteous and justified, opinionated (white) women constantly bitching about gender inequality. In the book, Gay links this idea to Judith Butler’s work on gender and performativity: that gender is not born or made, but rather, a learned pattern of behaviours established within a stylised frame from the very first moments of social life.

From this, Gay is implying that if this type of ‘feminism’ carries on through one generation to the next, it can turn into another stylised performance of femininity and consequently a normative action.

Gay’s writing acknowledges the flaws of today’s feminist discourse, exposing its rigidity and exclusion of the narratives and experiences belonging to women of colour, queer women, and even domestic and conservative women. Throughout the book, Gay provides evidence of how flawed modern feminism is through razor-sharp analysis and criticism of pop culture—an excellent choice as pop culture faithfully mirrors the best and worst of contemporary society.

For example, the book points out how Lena Dunham’s HBO show Girls is a product of white privilege, and how blackness has never been at the frontier of the All-American stereotype. Another powerful observation concerns how women are infinitely trapped in the surveillance of self-performativity in order to fit in and/or succeed, and when tries to be herself and dares to tread the waters of unlikability, she is frowned upon, shied away and condemned by other people as well as by other women. Gay points out how popular culture infiltrates, dilutes and desensitises our perceptions of being fat or skinny, of rape and sexual violence, of being queer, or of being vulnerable and broken, and breaks them down into insignificance. So on and so forth.

conform to these crazy high expectations.

This is a profoundly interesting and substantial idea that carries enough weigh and criticism to expose how our society really is full of irony and double standards. But regretfully, there wasn’t enough detailed analysis and discussion in the book. Instead, there were pages after pages about how different mediums have failed different demographics of women. Without discussion of the ideas accumulated throughout Gay’s essays, this book is an endless chain of feminist issues, frustrations buiding on frustrations, without a climax, a silver lining, or most importantly, a lesson for those having flipped through 250+ pages.

The book would have greatly benefited from Gay touching on why pop culture has for so long portrayed women in this simple, singularly dimensional and superficial way, considering it detrimentally constructs a type of feminism that causes many women, including Gay herself , to shy away from.

This would contribute to the argument that feminism desperately needs to change and incorporate the infinite nuances of all the beautiful and diverse women around the world. Ultimately, Gay could have explained why her being a ‘bad feminist’ is, in actuality, the best kind of feminism, because she is subverting all the toxic norms and stereotypes while reconstructing a movement where women are free to embrace their laziness, quirkiness, stubbornness, humour and pain.

I believe this would have brought in a unique and spectacular argument that would be bold, explicit, and substantial enough to challenge our mindsets and change the way we discuss feminism today.

I understand that this book is about, above all, how modern feminism is deeply flawed, and how Gay is therefore a bad feminist because she, like so many of us, cannot

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PARANOIA

by Louise Del Castillo One year it’s been Since I donned my camouflage, And yet you circled like I Was wearing a neon open sign.

Paranoia, Paranoia, Paranoia.

One year has passed, After you breached enemy lines, And here I still sit trying To get back to my normal state of mind.

Paranoia, Paranoia, Paranoia.

One year has come around, Some days good, some bad, Though every sunny day, Is shadowed by one grey cloud.

Paranoia, Paranoia, Paranoia.

One year has gone by, And I shiver still, Trying to tell myself that I’m safe, But deep inside I know.

I may never get out of this trench.

WE COME IN WAVES

by Kathryn Simons We come in waves, white foam, jewelled tones, our voices heard like roaring thunder.

We come in waves, pushing onto the shore, cutting new lines, not as they tell us, but as we are.

We come in waves, gathering power, unifying our rhythms, crashing into, over boundaries, bodies, no longer performing, but rising.

We come in waves.

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UNTITLED

by Simona Pasquale Peel away the layers, I ponder the petal’s wilt and fall, til ovary bared.

Rooted in soil, I grow and grow no fonder of Eden, believe it not so. The bees take to the air.

Under moonlight, water cool, I bathe, the grime, grit, and gravel whence I grovel.

Pale. Beneath her eyes are bruises grave, her beauty draining. A face now novel.

Beige, black, and rosy sin.

I slip out of my skin.

Nightly customs rehearsed are balm to my soul. To home I flee, In nude solitude, self- immersed, rooms as grand a gallery.

Dust away neglect, open windows wide, time thick as honey, slows to a drizzle.

Breathe in. Breathe out. Gentlest tide the air uncaring, walls let me be, what little Love is left, I nurture the hearth.

My skin warms, no longer marble.

Here, I belong humane— not art to which the world does marvel.

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Pop quiz!

Who was the first woman to graduate from the University of Adelaide?

A. Julie Anthony B. Edith Dornwell C. Julia Farr D. Nora Heyson What is the date of international women’s day?

A. 1st March 2020 B. 8th March 2020 C. 16th May 2020 D. 20th June 2020 Women over ____ years of age are now the fastest growing homeless population in Australia.

A. 40 B. 50 C. 55 D. 60 How many Chancellors of the University of Adelaide have been women?

A. None B. One C. Two D. Three How many women are predicted to be living with endometriosis in Australia?

A. 1 in 9 B. 1 in 3 C. 1 in 16 D. 1 in 7 Send us an email (onditmag@gmail.com) with your answers. The first person to get all the correct answers will win a prize!

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