Overview
Already boasting Yellowface author Rebecca F Kuang and Roman Empire scholar Mary Beard on its program, and tapping into two huge facets of 2023 in the process — one of the most-talked-about books of the year and one of TikTok's biggest memes — the 2024 All About Women festival has dropped its characteristically packed full lineup. Now in its 12th year, the Sydney Opera House event will span 24 sessions with 40-plus artists, and will again make its chats and panels available both in-person and online.
All About Women explores gender, justice and equality, doing so as a concise one-day event on Sunday, March 10 after expanding to two days in 2022 and to three in 2023. Kuang heads to Sydney to chat about her satirical novel, which dives into cancel culture, cultural appropriation and diversity in the world of publishing — and Beard is coming to the Harbour City fresh off the release of her latest book The Emperor of Rome to explore misogyny, power, murder and gossip.
From there, held as the week of International Women's Day wraps up, All About Women will see Grace Tame join a discussion about who controls women's bodies, which will also feature Indigenous social activist Tanya Hosch, tattoo artist Madison Griffiths and documentarian Tara Rae Moss. Miles Franklin-winning author Anna Funder will unpack the patriarchy, Glossy: Ambition, Beauty, and the Inside Story of Emily Weiss's Glossier's Marisa Meltzer will step through the beauty industry's changes, and Consent Laid Bare's Chanel Contos has porn and consent on the agenda.
A Lonely Girl is a Dangerous Thing scribe Jessie Tu is part of a panel about "sad girl" novels, The Wren, The Wren's Anne Enright will talk about her latest book, and stylist Aja Barber will examine fast fashion. Or, there's Barkaa and Steph Tisdell unfurling who gets to be an anti-hero in pop culture, plus Osher Günsberg in a discussion about parenting gender roles.
Luke Currie-Richardson
Plus, life behind bars, influencer culture, storytelling as a way of creating social change, mothering on the margins and the role of gossip all feature in their own sessions. Among the workshops for folks attending physically: mindful journalling, candle-making, femininity through dance and supporting someone dealing with gender-based violence.
Sydney Opera House Talks & Ideas's Chip Rolley has put together the 2024 program alongside Clementine Ford, Nakkiah Lui and Bri Lee, each of whom have co-curated specific sessions.
John Packman
All About Women 2024 takes place on Sunday, March 10 at the Sydney Opera House, and also stream online. Tickets for the full program go on sale at 9am on Thursday, January 18 with pre sales from 8am on Wednesday, January 17 — head to the event website for more details.
All About Women images: Jaimi Joy / Cassandra Hannagan.