YWCA Australia has just kicked off Feminist Book Week this week, celebrating feminist authors and aiming to nurture young and diverse voices until the 22nd October.
The week aims to start conversations on diversity and highlight the importance of intersectional voices in “to-read lists”. Event organiser Maiysha Moin said the goal is to give young women the confidence to share their writing with the world.
“This event elevates voices that have been marginalised for far too long and provides a platform for emerging authors to nurture their writing skills and find avenues to share their stories with the world. As a young woman of colour, seeing diverse storytelling celebrated shows me the value of my own voice and builds my confidence in sharing my experiences with the world.” she said.
“This event isn’t just for writers; readers are encouraged to broaden their reading lists and find their new favourite author. We can do so much more for the next generation if the voices of diverse young women are prioritised on our reading lists. We have an inspiring line up of workshops and activities that celebrate different voices and encourage you to think critically about what you’re reading – there’s something for everyone.”
Run in partnership with Blank Inc, Victorian Women’s Trust and the Queen Victoria Women’s Centre. YWCA CEO Michelle Phillips said the event aims to elevate young women and non-binary writers.
“Young women and non-binary people in all their diversity need to see themselves represented and have platforms to tell their stories. If the only writers we celebrate are old, pale and male we discourage the creative voices of young women and diverse storytelling,” Phillips said.
Some of the key activities include an online conversation between Dr Natalie Kon-yu and Alice Pung, a ‘Write Like a Girl’ workshop, and social media campaign featuring Australian authors sharing their favourite feminist books.