Today on the podcast I’m talking with Joy Watson. Joy is a feminist researcher and writer who specialises in analysing public policy and service delivery, as well as tracking funding flows from the perspective of building social equity. She has many years of experience in developing feminist responses to public policy and has worked on research Initiatives in South Africa as well as internationally. Joy is in the process of finalising her PHD on rape and public policy at the University of Stellenbosch.

Joy is currently Chair of the Board of the Women on Farms project and sits on the coordinating committee of feminists for social change.

Joy is also a writer. You can find her book reviews and reflections on life and its joys and sorrows on the pages of Daily Maverick Life. Together with Amanda Gouws she has co-edited the book, Nasty Women Talk Back: A Collection of feminist essays on the global women’s marches. And this year she’s published her first novel, The Other Me, with Karavan Press. The Other Me follows the life story of Lolly, who grows up in a context of trauma, violence and alcohol abuse – the effects of which linger long into her adulthood.

Joy is both a mother and a stepmother.

So today I’ll be talking with Joy about feminist parenting, public policy, and writing.