Wednesday 23 April 2008
7.30pm-9pm
St. Thomas More’s School Hall
30 White Crescent, Campbell
Australian Capital Territory

Presented by
Melinda Tankard Reist, Director, Women’s Forum Australia

Melinda Tankard Reist is a Canberra author, researcher and commentator, with a special interest in issues affecting women. She is a Director of Women’s Forum Australia, an independent women’s think tank. Melinda is the author of Giving Sorrow Words: Women’s Stories of Grief After Abortion (Duffy&Snellgrove, 2000) and Defiant Birth: Women Who Resist Medical Eugenics (Spinifex Press 2006). Editor of WFA’s magazine-style research paper Faking It: The Female Image in Young Women’s Magazines, Melinda is also
working on a new book about girls and popular culture.

Synopsis
‘Why should people of faith be concerned about the objectification of women and sexualisation of girls? How should they respond to an issue that attacks the dignity and worth of women, families and relationships?’

In many areas, girls do better. They’re ahead of the boys in school. They are in better physical health than their male counterparts. They have a range of options in work and education. They can avail themselves of the rewards of the hard-fought gains of their feminist foremothers without thinking too much about it. Yet despite all the great opportunities on offer, girls are struggling. In an age of “Girl Power”, many are feeling powerless. They are facing unprecedented social pressure, their emotional and psychological well-being at risk in ways never before imagined.

Details: www.stthomasmores.cg.catholic.edu.au/parishforumsmain.htm