What can younger Australian feminists learn from older feminists, and vice versa? The generational divide can result in feminists re-treading the same ground and learning lessons that have already been learned by their forebears. Debates between feminists can be painful, but they can also be instructive and helpful.
In this discussion, our panellists will explore intergenerational tensions around topics such as intersectionality, solidarity and privilege, in order to move forward with constructive conversations about the future of the movement. We’ll learn from the experiences of older feminists while frankly acknowledging the movement’s historical and contemporary flaws, and hearing the concerns of the next generation.
Where has feminism in Australia come from? Where are we now? Where could (and should) we go next if we work together?
This event will be Auslan interpreted.
Featuring
Leena van Deventer
Leena van Deventer is a writer, game developer, and educator from Melbourne. In 2013 she co-founded WiDGET, a support group for women and non-binary game developers with over 800 members. In 2016 she co-authored Game Changers: From Minecraft to Misogyny, the fight for the future of videogames for Affirm Press with Dr. Dan Golding.
Leena was on the curatorial advisory committee for ACMI's Code Breakers exhibition, and is the Deputy-Chair of the Games and Interactive Advisory Committee for the Australian Writers Guild. Leena also sits on the Board of Directors of the Victorian Women's Trust.
Nayuka Gorrie
Dur-é Dara
Dur-é Dara is Indian by race, Malaysian by birth, and – since the age of 15 – Australian by choice. She is now 73 years old.
Dur-é was the Vice President of Philanthropy Australia. She is a member of the management committee of La Mama Theatre, a Patron of the Victorian Foundation for Survivors of Torture Inc. and the Chair of Global Reconciliation Australia.
She studied social work and worked in youth welfare before focussing on music as a percussionist, and developing restaurant ventures (she was the first woman president of the Victorian Restaurant and Caterers Association). She has been on the Board of the Victorian Women’s Trust since 1991 – and served as convenor for almost 20 years during this time.
High on Dur-é’s priorities are environmental sustainability; equality and a treaty with, and for, the First Nation people of this country; and access to equal education and economic opportunity for women and girls. To this end, Dur-é feels very strongly about putting a gender lens on all social policy, law-making and philanthropy.
Reni Louise-Permadi
Reni Louise-Permadi is an Australian-Indonesian feminist, activist and creative. She has been part of the Fitzroy High School Feminist Collective since 2016. In 2019, Reni was involved in planning, running, and presenting at Your Voice, a conference for young feminists.