Because We're Women - Australian Feminist Joyce Stevens

Joyce Stevens ‘Because We’re Women’ was first published in 1975 Women’s Liberation International Women’s Day Broadsheet - then in 1985 in A History of International Women’s Day in words and images (hardcopy p46-51)

"Because We're Women"

Because our work is never done
and under or unpaid or boring or repetitious
and we’re the first to get the sack
and what we look like is more important than what we do
and if we get raped its our fault
and if we get bashed we must have provoked it
and if we raise our voices we’re nagging bitches
and if we enjoy sex we’re nymphos
and if we don't were frigid
and if we love women its because we cant get a real man
and if we ask our doctor too many questions we’re neurotic and/or pushy
and if we expect community care for children we’re selfish
and if we stand up for our rights we’re aggressive and unfeminine
and if we don’t we’re typical weak females
and if we want to get married we’re out to trap a man
and if don’t we’re unnatural
and because we still cant get an adequate safe contraceptive but men can walk on the moon
and if we cant cope or don’t want a pregnancy
we’re made to feel guilty about abortion
and for lots and lots of other reasons
we are part of the women’s liberation movement