Men or capitalism the real enemy?

Her address left open many questions which must be studied in more depth if the women's movement is to develop a direction which really will help the position of NZ women. Should the women's movement be directed at men or at the present capitalist economic and social system, or both? Which is the more fundamental cause of women's oppression? In what ways will a socialist society improve the position of women? How do we work towards such a society?

It was disappointing that the Convention did not spend more time and effort considering the problems that confront the majority of women, and how to solve them. Soaring prices, declining living standards, redundancy particularly in women-dominated industries such as the clothing industry, lack of child-care facilities, lack of participation in unions — these are the problems made urgent by the economic crises NZ is in. As the Government and big business continues to attack the right of women to work and to organise to fight for better working conditions and wages and an effective say in the political life of the country, the women's movement must discuss and make policies that will combat this fascist trend.

Of the wide range of workshops offered, not one dealt with 'Women and trade unions', unlike the previous two conventions.

After the opening plenary session, delegates each attended three workshops. Workshop topics included: women and crime, women and teaching, women and assertiveness. Pregnancy, Maori women, women and employment, women and the economic recipe, women and violence. Two of the workshops we attended were Solo Parents, and Women and Peace.