A Women's Forum titled "The Sri Lankan Woman in Australia", organised by the Women's Division of SCATS was held on Sunday, October 15, 1995 at the Rotunda Theatre in Monash University. This forum was the first one of a series of such programs that are planned for the 1995/ 96 year. The main objectives of this program series are:
1. to create an awareness among Sri Lankan migrant women of the contemporary gender issues of importance in Australia and in Sri Lanka;
2. to provide assistance to overcome the difficulties in personal and professional adjustments and to face the challenges in work and social situations in Australia;
3. to enhance their capacities for career advancement and to achieve an appropriate balance between their personal and professional lives; and
4. to enable Sri Lankan women to use their inherent strengths in supporting family and others to adapt successfully to a new country.
The following presentations were made at the first forum .
History of Labour Market Experience
of Sri Lankan Born Migrant Women
- Ms. Sharmini Sherrard, National Centre for South Asian Studies
Adapting to a New Country - Difficulties
and Coping Strategies
- Dr. Chathra Weerasinghe, Psychiatrist
Skills for Success in Employment
and Career Advancement
- Ms. Anita Olshina, Job Club Coordinator
South Central Region Migrant Resource Centre Inc., St. Kilda
How to be More Assertive
Carmel Wauchope
Counsellor, RMIT
Maximising Your Potential by
Unconditional Self Acceptance
- Mr. John Glass, Learning Skills Counsellor, RMIT
The feedback obtained from participants indicated that this forum provided them with useful information and would be an opportunity for Sri Lankan women to meet, share their point of view and concerns, and to build up networks. The participants expressed their interest on and needs of programs on various issues.