Wednesday 30 October 2013

Feminism In London 2013 and Reclaim the Night!!

I haven't posted in ages, so having had such an amazing experience nearly a week ago, I felt I really wanted to blog my experience at #FIL2013. As well as my experience at my first march!

Well, to start the day, a group of us, from the University of Reading Woman's Campaign, REPRESENT! got the train at 9. Arrived, collected our bag of stuff, and sat for the welcoming talk. Speeches were on sexism in the media, Disability and bisexuality in feminism, and shocking presentation on Acid violence by Shabina Begum
The atmosphere was amazing, and just being around like-minded woman and men was such a good feeling.


Next was the morning workshop. I went to the 'Challenging links of system of power: Towards a whole-istic feminism' one. We sat in groups, hearing the ideas from the panel first. (Cynthia Cockburn, Pragna Patel, Jenny Nelson, Ece Kocabicak, and Brigitte Lechner) and then got to share our ideas of how we can create a more intersectional feminism. Some ideas that came out were:
  • Looking to the iceland model of women's only political parties.
  • Changing attitudes from a young age, through education, implementing changes with governors and equality officers.
  • No taxation til representation.
Other than the workshops, speeches and panels, there was loads to discover in the foyer area.  Full of stands representing different feminist organisations. Pro-Choice abortion group, The Feminist Times, The White Ribbon Campaign, the Feminist library and loads more. Selling badges, stickers, bags, etc! One of the areas I loved were the stalls selling books all on gender and other related areas. I bought myself some badges and got loads of postcards and leaflets on some great organisations and groups!


After lunch at Pret, we had the afternoon session. I attended the Afternoon panel, 'Women in the Media - A Post-Leveson world'. Speakers included, representatives of Object, Yasmin Alibhai- Brown and Ruth Barnes, a radio presenter. I found the whole session pretty interesting, especially a debate which came up, whether wearing the Hijab or Niqab is actually a choice or not.

Finn Mackay speech in the afternoon ended the conference brilliantly! Highlighting important issues, and making it ever more clear why feminism is so important. You can follow her on twitter here: https://twitter.com/Finn_Mackay

Now for RECLAIM THE NIGHT! A brilliant way to end the evening. With two friends, we each took a sign which said the words, 'End Violence Against Women'. Starting off at the Institute of Education we walked through London, passing through West End, Trafalgar square and ending up near Charing Cross Station. Throughout the march we sang a number of different chants. Being my first experience, I really enjoyed it! Coming together with women from all over the place and marching for something which is so important. Plus there were people waving and clapping in support of such a cause!A few pics:


And to end my little summary, here is us lot, looking awesome. :D


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