The case for autonomy

I have a lot of people ask me why women’s collective and the women’s room are only for women. Often these people are supportive and enthusiastic men who describe themselves as feminists; sometimes they are women who believe their male feminist friend should be able to come to meetings with them.

Firstly, there is often some confusion about who the category of ‘women’ includes. Let me say that the women’s room and women’s collective are open to all those who identify as a woman or have lived experience as a woman. If that definition is still too vague, feel free to contact Emily or myself at any time.

Women’s collective is only for women because it is autonomous. Autonomous (in this context) means decisions affecting women should be made exclusively by women. Throughout history, decisions that directly affect women have been made by men. Autonomy is a conscious effort to give women back the power to make decisions that affect them. While men may care deeply about these issues, some issues will not affect them in ways that they would affect women.

What should also be noted here is that The Women's Collective has historically been responsible for pre-selecting the next year's women's officers. This important tradition has always been respected by the (thankfully progressive) SRC council, who, constitutionally, have the opportunity to not respect this tradition. This tradition has been important in maintaining a strong women's activist culture on campus as women are directly responsible for deciding who will represent them. 

Women’s collective is also only for women because differing socialisations mean that some women can be hesitant to fully participate in political discussions. Women’s collective allows women to come to a safe and respectful space and share their views, which can then be expressed collectively. This system takes the pressure off women, who would otherwise not participate in decision making processes at university (or anywhere). It is important to make sure that all women’s voices are heard about issues that affect them, without making them engage in situations which make them feel vulnerable.

Another reason women’s collective is autonomous is because alot of the issues we discuss are highly sensitive. We may discuss reproductive rights and bodily autonomy, sexual assault and harassment or gender based violence. Many women may have experienced these issues and often don’t feel comfortable discussing them in front of men.

The women’s room also serves as a space for mothers to come and breastfeed. Mothers are still subject to shaming from society for breastfeeding, and as a result may feel more comfortable breastfeeding in a quiet space that is guaranteed not to be judgemental. Further to that, since primary caring responsibilities still fall to women, it provides a safe room for mothers to spend time with and look after their babies or children if they need to take them to university.

Despite women’s collective being autonomous, there are still ways men can participate in and positively contribute to women’s activism and feminism. The USU Clubs and Societies program has a non-autonomous feminist society; the Women’s collective regularly puts on non-autonomous events, or men could simply take instruction from Kelly Temple (NUS UK): “Men who want to be feminists do not need to be given a space in feminism. They need to take the space they have in society & make it feminist.”.

As always, please get in contact with us at any time through our email: usydwomenscollective@gmail.com or visit women’s collective on Wednesdays at 1pm in the Women’s room!

Hannah Smith