Accent of Women

This episode explores the realities, challenges, and strength of women in South India, connecting current affairs with lived experiences. It highlights issues of safety, identity, culture, and empowerment while recognising the everyday resilience of women. Through reflection and discussion, the program amplifies voices that are often unheard and celebrates women as agents of change.

In this week's episode, we listen to part two of Fiza's conversation with Dr Sarah Wijesinghe. Sarah is a senior lecturer at Sunway University, Malaysia, with expertise in critical tourism, decolonization, and social equity. The conversation was recorded in an open air cafe in Kuala Lumpur, in the midst of Ramadan. As we shared about our roots - our origins, our childhood memories, and traced our routes that led us to this journey of decolonisation, you can hear the general cacophony of daily life. Having now returned to unceded Indigenous lands here, listening to the sounds of my own homeland has been a soothing balm, and the beautiful tapestry Sarah and I weaved together through this conversation reminds me of what bell hooks wrote in her book ‘All About Love’, that “rarely, if ever, are any of us healed in isolation. Healing is an act of communion." While we never really arrived at any grand conclusions, I hope the explorations of possibilities, the journey of tracing how systems affect us will fuel fellow listeners to keep resisting, and to keep finding people to take up space with. Bookstore: Gerak BudayaSong: Manike Mage Hithe by Yohani & SatheeshanMentioned on the show: Dukkana Buy Sarah's book here

In this episode, I share snippets of a conversation I had the privilege of having with Dr Sarah Wijesinghe. Sarah is a senior lecturer at Sunway University, Malaysia, with expertise in critical tourism, decolonization, and social equity. I met Dr Sarah when I was in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia last month, and attended a Women’s Day book event held by radical, indie bookstore Gerak Budaya. During the panel, Sarah shared about her recent non-fiction memoir, The Illusions of Freedom, which critically examines neoliberal academia and its cultural norms, offering insights into how academic practices influence inclusivity in Asia. Sarah’s work emphasizes the importance of uncovering implicit biases and rethinking cultural frameworks that sustain inequality. This week we listen to the first half of our conversation as we spoke about the joys and struggles of learning the English language as a child of postcolonial countries, and the intertwined nature of language and identity. Bookstore: Gerak BudayaSong: Lo-fi Raya songsBuy Sarah's book here!

Human Rights Watch has described India’s newly passed 2026 Transgender Bill as a major setback for human rights, warning that it rolls back hard-won protections for trans people. The law narrows the legal definition of who is recognized as transgender and replaces the right to self-identify with a system that requires medical certification and state approval.Critics say this shift undermines dignity, privacy, and autonomy, while giving authorities greater control over deeply personal aspects of identity and healthcare. It also raises concerns that many trans and non-binary people could be excluded from legal recognition altogether.Human Rights Watch and other advocates argue that, rather than strengthening protections, the bill risks increasing discrimination and barriers to essential services—at a time when the trans community continues to fight for equality and recognition.In this episode, we speak with Raghvi Shukla, a prominent Indian lawyer and transgender rights advocate, also known as the first openly trans lawyer to argue in the Supreme Court, to unpack what this bill means.

On today's episode, we listen to Gunnai, Gunditjmara and Djab Wurrung woman, Senator Lidia Thorpe and Tamil refugee and member of Refugee Womens Action for Visa Equality, Rathy Barthlote, speaking at the 'Unite to Fight Racism Forum' organised by Refugee Action Collective held on 24 February 2026. Senator Lidia Thorpe shares about her own lived experience of racism, as well as the racism endured by her community. She highlights the need to address systemic racism systemically, rather than in piecemeal fashion such as the Special Envoys to Combat Antisemitism. Rathy Barthlote then shares about the struggles she faced in fighting for visa equality for refugees, as well as the wins they have achieved through their concerted campaign. She notes the systemic racism that manifests in policies such as offshore processing, that continues to dehumanise and demonise those who are from 'lesser' countries. Listening to this inspiring women who works in such different spaces yet share the common thread of resistance and anti-racism reminds us that we all have work to do, and can disrupt the systems that diminish our humanity from wherever we stand.

Casey Kickett is a proud Whadjuk, Yued and Ballardong Noongar woman from the South West of Western Australia. Casey is the Co-Owner and Director of the 100% Aboriginal owned business, Koorda's Crew. Casey has a range of formal qualifications, and has combined these with her experience in being a Mum of four and her growing knowing of Noongar Country and Culture to create Koorda's Crew, where she hopes to contribute to creating spaces for the current generation of children to connect deeper with Noongar Country, so they can build on their knowledge as they get older to work with Noongar colleagues and friends on the challenges and opportunities later in life with a better understanding of Noongar worldviews.

In this episode, we’re joined by the founder of Rising Red Lantern, a collective supporting Asian Migrant Sex Workers here in Victoria. The Rising Red Lantern is a direct response to the violence of raids, racism, isolation, state neglect, and the ongoing injustices experienced by Asian migrant sex workers.Through Rising Red Lantern, community members are building power together in a system that was never designed for them — creating spaces to amplify voices, strengthen cultural connection, share political knowledge and skills, and lead resistance driven by those most impacted. Right now, Rising Red Lantern is raising $60,000 to sustain this work over the next year. The fundraiser will support Vixen’s Asian migrant peer frontline responses — where trusted peer workers from within the community provide culturally informed support, resources, and care. The funding will also go toward community events, advocacy campaigns, skill-sharing, and resources for the Victorian Asian migrant sex worker community.This work also honours the lives of Yuqi Luo, Hyun Sook Jeon, and Yuko, whose deaths reflect the broader patterns of injustice, racism, and misogyny that migrant women continue to face. Their lives mattered, their stories matter, and this community continues to organise in their memory.In a world that too often tries to erase migrant voices, Rising Red Lantern is choosing to raise its red lanterns together. If you’d like to support the fundraiser, you can find the donation link below. https://www.vixen.org.au/rising-red-lantern

On today's episode, we listen to speeches from a protest held on 20th October last year, commemorating a year of the Prabowo-Gibran government. Melbourne Bergerak is a collective of Indonesian students, workers, activists and allies standing with the people’s struggle back home and seeing themselves as part of a transnational network of resistance. Bergerak in Bahasa means ‘to move’, or ‘in motion’. We will first listen to Alma from Scrip – the Solidarity Committee for Rakyat Indonesia & Papua and the Socialist Youth Group Indonesia, and she will be outlining the current issues being faced by Indonesians today. This will be followed by a speech by the emcee of the rally, Jeslin, further expanding on why the protest has been called and the work that needs to be done. We will then listen to international student Riza, highlighting the failures of the ruling class and the oligarchs. Finally, we hear from the Melbourne Bergerak choir, sharing a series of resistance songs as well as poetry in Bahasa Indonesia.

This year marks 238 years since since invasion of the continent of so called australia by the arrival of the first fleet in 1788 and 256 years since captain Cook set foot on the shores of the continent. From that time until the present day the genocide and dispossession of the original inhabitants of this continent has been ongoing. From that time until the present, there has been resistance from the First Peoples of this continent who continue to assert their sovereignty and protect their lands and waters, and continue to resist oppression and the systems of capitalism, imperialism, domination and violence against humans and mother earth, while asserting the true meaning of life .

A discussion between Margaret Kimberley & Nina Farnia about the recent violence in Iran which was orchestrated as part of a regime change effort against Iran by the United States & Israel. Nina Farnia is an Assistant Professor at Albany Law School in New York and a member of the Anti-Imperialist Scholars Collective. Margaret Kimberley is the Executive Editor of Black Agenda Radio. Follow Black Agenda Radio at blackagendareport.com

This year marks 3CR's 50th Anniversary, having broadcast consistently since 1976. Today, we interview Marisa Sposaro, who has now been with our community radio station for half its time on air. Marisa is currently the regular host of the Doin Time show, which features issues faced by prisoners in the criminal justice system and migration detention centres Doin Time show broadcasts every Monday 4:00pm to 5:00pmAn open forum, presenting information and discussion around issues faced by prisoners in the criminal justice system and migration detention centres.

The U.S. attack on Venezuela and kidnapping of the president Nicolás Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores are the culmination of years of imperialist intervention against the state of Venezulela and its historic Bolivarian revolution. Today on the show we will turn our focus to Venezuela in an interview conducted by Black Agenda Radio’s Margaret Kimberley with Corrinna Mullin who sheds light on the situation, and discusses the importance of anti-imperialist mobilization in solidarity with the Venezuelan people. Follow Black agenda radio at blackagendareport.com

Part 2: In this episode, we dive into Smoko(link is external): Migrant Stories en Español, a Spanish-language acting school in Melbourne that puts migrant voices at the centre. Co-founders Camila and Manuel share how Smoko Acting School uses testimonial theatre to tell real stories, build community, and celebrate the lived experiences of migrants.Music: La Lá, Selva Negra

An African centred critique of European Cultural thought and behaviour.Dr Marimba Ani talks about the book on the show ‘For The People” hosted by Listervelt Middleton (1994)

In this episode, we dive into Smoko: Migrant Stories en Español, a Spanish-language acting school in Melbourne that puts migrant voices at the centre. Co-founders Camila and Manuel share how Smoko Acting School uses testimonial theatre to tell real stories, build community, and celebrate the lived experiences of migrants.The song you hear at the beginning and end of the show is “Mi Ciudad Es Genial” by the band Santa Madero. This episode was presented and produced by Ximena JimenezPhotos by Rocio Lamana, Oti.

A lecture by Dr Marimba Ani , an anthroplogist and African studies Scholar and Author of Let the Circle be Unbroken and Yurugu : an Afrikan Centred Critique of European Cultural Thought. In this lecture Marimba Ani speaks about the concepts of African womanhood. Morehouse College, 2000.

This is part two of Hailstones Fell Without Rain: Melbourne Launch. In this episode, I chat with Natalia Figueroa Barroso about writing in Spanglish, her Charrúa, Yoruba and Uruguayan heritage, and the stories that shape her work.Natalia is a member of Sweatshop Literacy Movement and director of Our North is the South – Latin American Storytelling, a workshop that gives voice to writers who share a connection with South America, whether they were born there or are familiar with its language and culture.We talk about identity, memory, and the power of fiction to explore personal and cultural histories. The music you hear in the intro and outro of this episode is Negra Presuntuosa by Afro-Peruvian singer Susana Baca.This episode was presented and produced by Ximena Jimenez.

A treatise on African Spirituality and how it differs from Christianity with Dr. Khanyisile Tshabalala.

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 new. The siege has been ongoing for over 17 years. The occupation? Over 75.So when we talk about a ceasefire, we have to ask—what does peace mean in the absence of justice? What does silence mean when the structures of apartheid remain firmly intact?On today's show, we’ll be speaking to Mai Saif, Palestinian activists, and strident organiser in Free Palestine Melbourne and we'll hear Renee Nayef, from Students for Palestine, her speech from the Melbourne October 12 Rally.

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