Accent of Women

A fragile and hard-won ceasefire has been declared in Gaza, following two years, and in truth, decades of violence, occupation, and resistance. The world has watched in horror as Israeli airstrikes devastated homes, schools, hospitals, and entire neighbourhoods. Thousands have been killed—disproportionately women and children. Entire families erased. And yet, for the people of Gaza, this is not ne...

A Pan-Africanist Feminist Tribute: Honoring African Women Resisting Imperialism, Settler-Colonialism, Neo-Colonialism, National & Women's Oppression, and Zionism!

 Today we bring you the live recording from the Melbourne launch of Hailstones Fell Without Rain, the debut novel by Natalia Figueroa Barroso. Set between Western Sydney and Uruguay, this semi autobiographical story follows three generations of women: Graciela, Chula and Rita, as they grapple with migration, memory, political trauma and the intimate work of family. Natalia’s voice blends raw truth...

On today’s program, two different panel addresses by two very impressive, incredible trade union leaders – one in an official leadership position, the other from the rank n file. The majority of the world’s workers are women, it makes sense that we are the ones leading the struggle for workers’ rights and for social movements for freedom and justice. We’ll hear from Phyo Sandar Soe, Assistant Gene...

A Pan-Africanist Feminist Tribute: Honoring African Women Resisting Imperialism, Settler-Colonialism, Neo-Colonialism, National & Women's Oppression, and Zionism!

In today’s episode, we bring you two powerful speeches from residents of the Flemington and Richmond public housing towers, recorded at the Save Public Housing Rally on Saturday 2 August 2025. While the government claims these towers are old, outdated, and unsafe, residents tell a far more complex and deeply personal story. You’ll also hear from Lara, a resident of the South Yarra towers, who join...

A Pan-Africanist Feminist Tribute: Honoring African Women Resisting Imperialism, Settler-Colonialism, Neo-Colonialism, National & Women's Oppression, and Zionism!

An intense 12‑day conflict between Israel and Iran erupted on June 13, 2025, after Israel launched air strikes on Iranian military and nuclear sites, killing key nuclear scientists and military commanders. On June 27, 2025, the Northeast Los Angeles Alliance for Democracy sponsored an online panel on how U.S. activists can take a principled stand against the violations of human rights by all the p...

Today on the show we will listen to speeches from the Elbit Out Of Victoria Campaign Rally which was held in Naarm/Melbourne CBD at the Future Fund Head Office on Thursday 26 June, 2025.Elbit Out Of Victoria is a campaign building community power to demand the Victorian Government end its contract with co-called Israel’s largest weapons manufacturer.‘Future Fund Divest from Genocide’ is one of the...

The Labor government continues to provide economic, diplomatic and military support to Israel’s genocide in Gaza and now Iran. We know that they signed a $917 million dollar deal with Israeli weapons company Elbit systems early last year. We know that the Heat Treatment Australia facility in Campbellfield provides crucial treatment for components of F-35 Joint Strike fighters.  Now, more than ever...

On today’s program, we bring you the second part of the first lecture delivered by, regular guest on this show, Frieda Afary, an Iranian academic and librarian from the US, has recently delivered a series of lectures on Humanist Alternatives. One of the pillars of the rise of fascism in the 21st century has been the void in the articulation of a humanist alternative in face of the deepening econom...

On today’s program, we explore a little bit of social theory and philosophy. A regular guest on this show, Frieda Afary, an Iranian academic and librarian from the US, has recently delivered a series of lectures on Humanist Alternatives – so this week and next week, I will bring you the first of those lectures. One of the pillars of the rise of fascism in the 21st century has been the void in the...

On today’s show we speak with Lebanese-born, australian-based filmmaker Samia Mikhail about her poetry which responds to the barbarism of imperialism, while feeling the pain of the oppressed and the  murdered, and expressing the pain and rage of all that is left of humanity as we watch senseless wars created in the Global South by ruling classes of the Global North. How can one write any other poe...

In this week’s episode, we sit down with Sangeun Kim, Seayoung Park, and Serena Jeong. During their recent visit to Australia for a cross-cultural exchange with fellow Australian women, they reflect on the meaning of leadership, the everyday challenges faced by working women in Korea and Australia, and what solidarity between women across cultures can look like. Tune in to hear their insights, sto...

Operation Inglenook is an initiative by the Australian Border Force which claims to focus on identifying exploitation and potential victims of trafficking and modern slavery. This harmful - and unsuccessful - approach unfairly targets the sex industry, leading to invasive workplace raids, canceled visas, detention and deportation. This is very distressing for migrant sex workers, no matter their v...

The recent episode is addressed to raising awareness on Family Violence and it's associated trauma by sharing lived experiences AND the ongoing struggle for Palestinian women and children. In the first half, Chris Mallika Bhadra speaks to two of Genwest's team members - Rania and Joal to discuss their experiences and ways to win over Family Violence. In the second half, Dr Benish Chaudhry speaks u...

In 1804, enslaved Haitians successfully overthrew French colonial rule and founded the world's first Black republic. But by 1825, the French returned and demanded Haiti to pay “reparations” for French financial losses, including the value of the lives of the formerly enslaved. With warships off its coast, Haiti was forced to agree to an indemnity debt, which totaled hundreds of millions in today's...

In this episode, we hear from Eun Jeong, an academic based in Seoul, and Sunlei, an activist working on the ground in Mae Sot, Thailand. Together, they explore the state of women’s rights activism and gender-based violence affecting Myanmar communities—both within Myanmar and among displaced populations in border regions like Mae Sot, Thailand. Through their conversation, we gain insight into the...

This episode is dedicated to raising awareness around 'cybercrime' within our communities. This episode features Ms Saleha Singh and has been presented by Dr Chris Mallika Bhadra on the lands of the Kulin Nation.

On this week’s episode, we listen to an interview with Dr Iori Hamada, a Japanese Studies lecturer and researcher based in Melbourne. Driven by a passion for social inclusion, Iori is dedicated to fostering a more equitable society, particularly for disadvantaged groups such as migrants and women. In this conversation, we talk about gender inequality in Japan and how gender and migration intersect...

On this week’s episode we listen to the story of Fayeza, a 21 year old woman born and living in Afghanistan. Fayeza comes from the Hazara ethnic group of Afghanistan. She was preparing for medical university when the Taliban came back to power and banned education for women. In this conversation we talk about her life journey, her insights into the political situation, and her aspirations.

 Zena Cumpston is a Barkandji woman with Afghan, English and Irish heritage. Zena works as an artist, writer, consultant and curator. She is passionate about plants and seeks out projects that empower community and Country. Zena is a member of the Birrarung Council and the curator of First Nations Projects at InPLace Artist Residencies. In 2024 Zena co-wrote the Yuruwan ‘Growing on Country’ resour...

Former Philippines president Rodrigo Duterte is in the custody of the International Criminal Court in the Netherlands after being arrested in Manila on Tuesday 11 March, on crimes against humanity charges linked to his deadly "war on drugs".Mr Duterte was detained by Philippine police and flown to The Hague in the Netherlands on an arrest warrant. Police say that during his arrest, Mr Duterte thre...

Ana Gamero, originally from Peru and now living in Australia for 17 years, made the bold transition from construction to welding while undertaking an Engineering Fabrication Apprenticeship. In this conversation, she shares her journey in the trades, the invaluable support from her colleagues, and the guidance of Courteney Munn, Project Manager at AMWU, who helped her navigate the challenges she fa...

This episode is dedicated to raising awareness around 'mental health' within South-Asian diaspora and communities. This episode features Ms Tania Biswas and has been presented by Dr Chris Mallika Bhadra on the lands of the Kulin Nation.