Trish Doyle MP - Blue Mountains

[Download PDF] I have not heard the word "feminism" used yet in this debate. I am a proud feminist and on International Women's Day we celebrate many of our achievements across our great country. 

We also have to work very hard to invoke what the wonderful Joyce Stevens said, and to encourage young men and women to step up and recognise the world for what it is. 

The member for Londonderry said it is also important that we grow our young men into good feminists.

I also refer to a very good woman, Margaret Jones, my warrior woman, who came into my life and encouraged me to stand up and speak out.

Joyce Stevens wrote "Because We're Women":

Because our work is never done

and under or unpaid or boring or repetitious

and we're the first to get the sack

and what we look like is more important than what we do

and if we get raped its our fault

and if we get bashed we must have provoked it

and if we raise our voices we're nagging bitches

and if we enjoy sex we're nymphos

and if we don't we're frigid

and if we love women it's because we can't get a real man

and if we ask our doctor too many questions we're neurotic and/or pushy

and if we expect community care for children we're selfish

and if we stand up for our rights we're aggressive and unfeminine

and if we don't we're typical weak females

and if we want to get married we're out to trap a man

and if don't we're unnatural

and because we still can't get an adequate safe contraceptive but men can walk on the moon

and if we can't cope or don't want a pregnancy we're made to feel guilty about abortion

and for lots and lots of other reasons

we are part of the women's liberation movement.