What?
UK Feminista has set up a new London-based feminist activist group. Over the coming year the group will be staging a series of creative, bold actions to challenge sexism and provide visible resistance where women’s rights are under threat.
Why?
Because we think it’s time for some action. Public sector cuts are undermining women’s economic independence. Services for victims of rape and domestic violence are being slashed. A pernicious rise in sexual exploitation is expected in the capital when the Olympics kick off. And abortion rights are under attack. Day in day out women’s rights are being ignored, sidelined and restricted. Enough is enough.
Read more about why we’re setting up the group in this Guardian article
Who?
The activist group is open to everyone. Whether you’ve got bags of experience or are completely new to activism, get involved! All you need is a passion for feminism and desire to take action.
Participating in the group is also a great way to meet other activists and develop your campaigning skills.
When?
The group meets in central London on the first Monday of each month.
Further details: email activist[at]ukfeminista.org.uk if you’re interested in joining the activist group.
Past Actions
Cheats Olympics: Protest against Nike’s exploitation of Bangladeshi garment workers
On 31 March 2012 protesters staged a ‘cheats olympics’ outside Nike Town on London’s Oxford Street. Activists were protesting against the exploitation of Bangladeshi garnment workers in Nike’s supply chains, 85% of whom are women. Research by War on Want has uncovered that 1 in 10 women workers are threatened with being made to undress, 1 in 10 experience other forms of sexual harassment, and
many are refused maternity rights or simply fired when discovered to be pregnant.
- Read an article by UK Feminista’s Fiona Ranford on Left Foot Forward about the protest
- Read War on Want’s research about women workers’ rights in Bangladesh
- Watch an interview with activist on Bangla TV
Muff March
On 10 December 2011 the activist group staged a Muff March. Over 100 activists donned a muff and marched down Harley Street – famed for its cosmetic surgeons – to raise awareness about the rise in labiaplasty.
The number of women getting ‘designer vagina’ surgery is on the rise: in 2010 the Harley Medical Group received more than 5,000 inquiries about cosmetic gynaecology, and between 2007- 2008 there was a 70% increase in the number of labiaplasty operations carried out by the NHS. The increase is being driven in large part by the ‘pornfication’ of culture and the beauty ideals peddled by the porn industry.
Marchers were speaking out against surgeons profiting from body hatred and raising awareness about the growing pressures on women to seek labiaplasty.
- Read articles about the Muff March in the Guardian, two in the Evening Standard and the Huffington Post
- Read a Comment is Free article by UK Feminista activist Rosie Mockett about why she muff marched
- See photos from the march
Women’s Rights? Bah, Humbug!
On Tuesday 29th November 2011 the activist group staged an action outside parliament to coincide with the Chancellor’s pre budget statement to highlight the diastrous impact of the cuts on women.
An activist dressed as Scrooge and George Osborne was ‘visited’ by the ghosts of women’s economic past, present and future. Activists then sang some alternative Christmas carols to highlight the impact of the cuts on women.
- The protest was shown on the BBC Six O’Clock and Ten O’Clock news in their main package on the budget statement.
- See photos from the protest
Meat Market: protest outside pornography trade conference
On 23rd September 2011 the activist group protested outside an international pornography trade summit. Dressed as butchers, the activists highlighted the brutal and misogynistic nature of the pornography industry. The action was in partnership with OBJECT, London Feminist Network and Million Women Rise.
Eff Off Hef!
In May/June 2011 UK Feminista staged two protests in partnership with OBJECT to protest against the opening of a new Playboy Club in London and to raise awareness of the impact of commercial sexual exploitation.
- The protests received national and international media coverage. See a full round-up of media coverage here.
- Listen to an interview on BBC Radio 4′s Today Programme with UK Feminista’s director, Kat Banyard
- See footage of the protest on the BBC news website
- See photos from the protest
