FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
A Call to the Women of Australian on International Women's Day 2002
Embargoed until noon EST Thursday 7 March 2002
We are asking for this to be read out at IWD events
We are calling to the women of Australia, where ever you are today, to think about how far we have come. But, our work can never stop because each time we stop we lose ground and there is of course much more to be achieved.
For all our daughters, our sons, our families, our communities and our nation - we call on all women to mark this year's celebrations of women's right to vote in federal elections
.On 12 June 1902, the federal parliament passed legislation that finally gave most Australian women the right to vote in federal elections.
The work that led to this stretched over more than 20 years.
But there were Indigenous women who were left out. They did not get the vote until 1962 - a mere 40 years ago.
2002 marks the centenary and the 40 year anniversary for Indigenous women.
We are calling on women to be active in communities across Australia, to use 2002 as a year where women look back and, crucially, look forward. To assert your visions, to take your share of the power and to move forward in your communities, your regions, your states and federally to help make the future what you want it to be.
The celebration of women right to vote federally is in your hands - it will be what the women of Australia want it to be and make it to be.
National women's organisations are working on a landmark women's convention that will take place in Canberra on 11,12 and 13 June.
We urge you to start planning now for your own celebrations and events in your community. We also urge you to support and link in to your national women's organisations that have information now about the national - 'Trust the Women' -Convention.
Signed
Canberra host committee Trust the women - Women's Convention 2002 On behalf of the Australian Women's Constitutional Network, Steering Committee
Representatives from Australian Women Lawyers; National Women's Justice Coalition; Women's Electoral Lobby Australia; Women into Politics; YWCA; Women for an Australian Republic in partnership with women's organisations including: National Foundation for Australian Women; National Council of Women; Soroptimist International, Australia; Australian Federation of University Women.