For Waikato women, there is such a thing as a free lunch
Saturday is International Women’s Day, and Hamilton radio host Silvana Erenchun Perez is making sure that it will be celebrated in style.
A Waikato community radio station proved a turning point for the organiser of this year’s International Women’s Day in Hamilton.
Waikato women of every age, race and creed are invited to stop by the International Women’s Day celebration being held at Claudelands this Saturday.
“We’re inviting women of all kinds of backgrounds to get together. We call the day ‘International Women’s Day: celebrating and connecting Waikato women’,” said event organiser Silvana Erenchun-Perez.
The event, at the Waikato Migrant Resource Centre from 10am-1pm, is free, with a variety of speakers, performers, and activities.
Mrs Erenchun-Perez, who is a radio host at Free FM, spoke highly of her own experience with immigrating to New Zealand in 2006.
Originally from Chile, she found the prospect of reporting in English daunting at first. “When you’re a journalist, your English – or whatever language you’re working in – has to be so good.”
However, her discovery of Free FM, a community radio station that broadcasts programming in a multitude of languages and with an inclusive worldview, was a turning point. “It was an amazing thing for me,” she said.
With a particular passion for “giving voice to minorities”, Mrs Erenchun-Perez has been active in Hamilton’s migrant community since she arrived, hosting Tuesday dinners for Latin American women.
She also works with the charitable organisation Bellyful. “[It’s] an amazing organisation that brings meals to women… who can’t cook for themselves for whatever reason,” like busy working parents, solo mothers, or those living with illness.
Saturday will be a busy day, as the evening will see Bellyful’s “biggest fundraising” of the year. “They are doing a Ladies’ Night Out Expo, and that is all about… free mani-pedicures, free massage, fashion show– there are a lot of things. It’s a fun event for the girls.
“Actually, funnily enough, they didn’t even know it was International Women’s Day, but when we talked to them it was like, ‘Oh, great, that’s a great excuse to invite the ladies to come over!’” Mrs Erenchun-Perez laughed. “It was kind of like a magical coincidence.”
Tickets are set at $20 for the evening.
The invitation to the Claudelands International Women’s Day celebration, however, is open. “It’s not only for migrant people, it’s for all women.”
“It is International Women’s Day; the idea is that we forget where we are from. We are women, and we all share that reality.”
Hamilton student Tau Bio, who moved to New Zealand from the Pacific island of Kiribati when she was two, recently completed an interpreter’s course at the Migrant Resource Centre, where the women’s day event is being held. She was considering attending the day. “It sounds pretty cool. I might do that.”
Hamilton Mayor Julie Hardaker will begin the day with a talk about women and leadership, followed by presentations by MP Nanaia Mahuta, Edith Morris, Dr Assil Russell, and Anjum Rahman.
Mahuta, who sought better provisions for breastfeeding mothers in Parliament last year, is billed to speak on how to balance work and motherhood.
The focus of Edith Morris’ presentation will be on living fully with disabilities.
Dr Russell, who was named Coca-Cola Amatil Young New Zealander of the Year in 2013, will talk about the potential that simple, accessible tools such as cellphones have to impact people’s lives.
Finally, Hamilton City Council candidate Anjum Rahman will speak on her work within the Campaign for Consent, and the importance of empowering women to say ‘no’.
A light lunch will be provided, featuring multicultural delicacies such as gazpacho soup, and tea and biscuits.
Among the draws of the event are live musical performances and belly dancing, as well as an optional introductory Zumba session, and a tutorial on how to create Japanese origami figurines.
In addition, Dress for Success will have a stall where guests can ask questions and learn from the experts, and various health services targeted specifically for women will be provided.
Further information:
- Waikato International Women’s Day has a Facebook page.
- You can tune in to Free FM on 89fm, or listen at http://www.freefm.org.nz.
- Tickets for Bellyful‘s Ladies’ Night Out can be purchased through Eventfinda, or by contacting Carena Nagle, carena.nagle@bellyful.org.nz, phone 027 406 9719.
