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Feminist activist tells essence of sex equality
(Shanghai Star)
Updated: 2004-02-23 09:20

Feminism is not aimed against men, it is all about equality, said Anne Summers, an active feminist, journalist, writer on women's issues and the chairperson of Greenpeace International.

The Shanghai Star grabbed an interview with her just before she returned home to Australia after a seven-week stay in Shanghai.

People, including many women, tend to picture feminists as unfeminine and men-hating, which is not true, Summers said. "We want to have equal education and the ability to earn an equal income with men and to be able to live an independent life."

The end of equality

Her latest book, "The End of Equality", investigates the position of women in Australia today and highlights some problems common among women in every country.

For example, women are constantly faced with the choice between children and careers. They either make the hard choice or become exhausted by trying to have them both. "Men never confront the same problem. Why should women be forced to make the choice?" Summers said. Summers believes the government should provide affordable childcare services and other economic support.

Birth rates have been decreasing in many big cities because of women's dilemma between careers and babies. "Many women end up without children," said Summers.

Summers herself doesn't have any children. To her, it is a pity but doesn't affect her sense of life fulfillment. "I no longer think about it at this age," she said. "If I had been with my partner Chip earlier, I would have considered having a baby."

Being a feminist hasn't affected her relationship with her much younger partner, Chip Rolley, whom she defined as a "SNAG"- sensitive new age guy. Actually she was in Shanghai largely because of Rolley, who was worked in the city as a school teacher.

Career profile

The 59-year-old Summers ran the Federal Office of the Status of Women in Australia from 1983 to 1986 and was an adviser on women's issue to former Prime Minister Paul Keating prior to the 1993 Australian federal election. She successfully prompted Keating to issue the childcare rebate policy, reducing the cost of child care, but the policy is now gone as the current government is "very conservative".

In 1987 in New York she became editor-in-chief of "Ms." - America's landmark feminist magazine - and the following year, with business partner Sandra Yates, bought "Ms." and "Sassy" magazines in only the second women-led management buyout in US corporate history.

Summers and Yates tried to make Ms. commercial but failed and had to sell it again. But "Ms." remains a promotional publication for a feminist organization.

She was involved in helping start "Elsie", Australia's first women's refuge. "It seems unfair that women become homeless besides suffering from domestic violence," said Summers, "but they need a place to go, to get away from the abuse." A few years ago, similar shelters were created in China but were forced to close as the government didn't provide any support.

Summers career in journalism began in Australia in 1975 , first on the "National Times", then as Canberra bureau chief for "The Australian Financial Review" and later as the paper's North American editor.

In 1975, her book, "Damned Whores and God's Police" changed the way women were perceived in Australia. The bestseller has been continuously in print ever since and was updated in 1994 and 2002. Her other books include "Gamble for Power", an account of the 1983 Australian federal election, and "Ducks on the Pond", her autobiography.

Still going strong

Currently, she writes an opinion column for the "Sydney Morning Herald", is chair of the board of Greenpeace International and is deputy president of Sydney's Powerhouse Museum. In 1989 she was made an Officer in the Order of Australia for her services to journalism and to women.

Summers was elected chair of Greenpeace International three years ago and has just been re-elected for another three-year term. The operation of the NGO is supervised by a board and its day-to-day operations are under the direction of a CEO in the Netherlands. "The board makes sure operations are in accord with the core values of Greenpeace International (GPI), that is non-violent direct action."

Earlier this year, GPI people confronted whale-hunting ships in Japan. "We drew the world's attention to such wrongdoings," Summers said.

GPI has been operating in the Chinese mainland for two years and from its Hong Kong office since 1997. "We will have an office in Shanghai eventually," said Summers. All people working for GPI in China are Chinese.

Instead of taking drastic actions which can annoy local governments, GPI is working in co-operation with SEPA (the State Environmental Protection Administration). "Local workers decide what are the proper actions to take," said Summers.

One recent action involved a legal case about genetically modified food between a Shanghai consumer and the multinational Nestle company. "GPI worked with the consumer in that case," Summers said.

GPI has raised the issue of electronic waste in China. Obsolete computer parts and similar waste are dumped in China and GPI will target trans-national computer producers such as IBM to take back toxic computer parts and detox them before sending them for recycling.

Also, GPI is starting a renewable energy campaign in China to help stop global warming. They are promoting renewable energy sources such as wind power.

GPI has an annual income of 140 million euros, all from individual donors. The money is used mostly to maintain and operate the three ships that Greenpeace owns. One of these, the "Rainbow Warrior", has toured Asia, inviting locals to visit the ship and publicizing information on environmental issues. The ship will probably come to China at some stage, Summers said.

 
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