A woman’s control over her own body should not be a contentious issue. Yet, at this moment, almost half a century after the Abortion Act was passed in this country, large and very vocal portions of our society are still intent upon stripping women of this right. More pertinently, it should most certainly not be a political issue. However, recent parliamentary moves that would allow anti-choice organisations to counsel women on their pregnancy options on the NHS demonstrate that a woman’s right to choose still remains under threat.

In fact,  Abortion Rights explain that provisions for abortions provided by the NHS are still woefully lacking, and anti-abortion doctors are still capable of exerting an unfair level of influence over a woman’s decision to undergo a termination. Alongside these ongoing issues, political interference in the issues surrounding abortion threatens to stem progress.

Despite the defeat of proposed changes to abortion counselling, the government continues to consider proposals which would not offer impartial advice to women considering abortion. Alongside this, the influence of right-wing anti-abortion groups in the US is being felt in this country, with anti-choice groups harassing and filming staff and visitors of abortion clinics.

It is thus resoundingly clear that the need for pro-choice activism is as vital as ever. To counter pro-life protest over the last twelve months, there has been a heartening resurgence of pro-choice activism. 1000 pro-choice supporters attended the lively pro-choice counter-protest outside the British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS) clinic in Bedford Square back in March, which was recognised as being the first of its kind in the UK. Counter-protest is important in vocalising dissent against the harmful tactics of pro-life protesters, which includes harassing women entering clinics and confronting them with intentionally distressing images and factually dubious claims.

This April saw counter-demonstrations against the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children’s (SPUC) ‘kerbside vigils’, held by to mark the passing of 44 years since the implementation of the 1967 Abortion Act. This grassroots activism is particularly important as it enables pro-choice protesters to directly engage with the same people who pro-life activists are attempting to reach out to. It is also an excellent way for activists outside of London to organise and share ideas, with social media sites such as Facebook playing a crucial role in bringing these people together.

Organising demonstrations away from abortion clinics is crucial in addressing members of society who may not be fully informed of the facts, whilst also not exacerbating any anxiety for women attempting to enter the clinics. Pro-choice demonstrations have been occurring outside abortion clinics on Sundays (when clinics are closed), as an effective method of challenging pro-life activists without causing any distress for women entering the clinics.

What is now crucial is maintaining this momentum, so that we can ensure women feel informed and safe about making this decision. We need to keep organising counter-protests, lobbying parliament and asserting a woman’s right to choose in the face of anti-choice dogmatism.

On 28 May we are kicking off our brand new UK Feminista Activist Training Hub with an evening of practical training on “Using the media to get heard” featuring Molly Solomons from UK Uncut, as well as space to plan feminist activism.

Date: 28 May
Time: 6.30- 8.30pm
Location: 32-36 Loman Street, SE1 OEH

Facebook event

This will be the first in a series of monthly activist training events in London and is ideal for feminists, both seasoned activists and fresh faces, wanting to get inspired, skilled up and taking action. Each evening will involve practical training with top tips from experienced feminist activists, as well as a chance to meet and plot actions with other feminists and feminist organisations.

Book your place!

Please email activist@ukfeminista.org.uk to let us know you’ll be there! Please let us know of any accessibility requirements by email or in the booking form below.

To be certain of your place (as space is unfortunately limited) please book online. There is a suggested donation of £3 to cover costs, please pay online or on the day.

We’re taking part in Abortion Rights’ public meeting next week in parliament, reflecting on the amazing pro-choice activism that’s been taking place recently, and exploring the tactics and targets for future pro-choice activism.

We’d love to hear about the different ways people have been mobilising for women’s abortion rights, as well as your ideas on tactics activists could or should be employing in the future.

Leave your thoughts in the comments section below or email info@ukfeminista.org.uk

The Pro-Choice Public Meeting is taking place at 7pm on 16th May in Parliament. Visit www.abortionrights.org.uk for more details.

We’ve all heard many times the ways in which women are disproportionately affected by the cuts. The arguments are already out there, whether it’s because the majority of public sector jobs to be cut are held by women, or whether it’s that we use the NHS more in our lifetimes, or whether it’s to do with the closed down SureStart centres, Rape Crisis centres, or cuts to childcare benefits.

We know the story. I’d like to tell you something different.

Yes, we are facing an attack on women’s equality. But this has led to resurgence in feminist action, especially from younger women and men. We have seen UK Uncut activists turn an HSBC into a crèche to protest the cuts to childcare, a group of women lie down in the road to block Osbourne’s budget and many more.

So let’s do it again.

On May 26^th, UK Uncut are hosting their own Great British Street Parties as an alternative to all those Jubilee Lunches we are supposed to be having. When all the world’s eyes are on us and the government wants us to politely eat cake and wear a smile, I would rather talk about what’s really going on.

The parties are inspired by the year 1948, a moment in history that holds many parallels to 2012. There were parties that year to welcome the Olympics, and to celebrate a feeling of hope and pride that people felt as they looked forwards from the war and built the Welfare State and the NHS, never mind that the post-War deficit they faced was much bigger than ours today.

Of course, there are many differences between the lives of women in 1948 and now in 2012. I’m sure we all agree that we’ve come a long way! But what are our biggest achievements? Yes, it is more acceptable to be unmarried or a single mother, but these achievements now seem nominal when they’re not safeguarded at all by the government’s cuts programme. Yes, it’s easier for us to work, but will this be for much longer, as we have seen women’s unemployment rise to it’s highest in twenty five years?

Direct action is an amazing way for women to take the power back. You don’t need to have studied politics or even to have gone to a protest before. All you need is your self, and the willingness to stand up and call for change. As a volunteer for UK Feminista, I am keen to see women everywhere taking action for gender equality, and I think this is a good place to start.

So instead of having a party for the Queen or the Olympics, let’s have a party for the services we want to protect. Instead of taking the government’s austerity measures without a fight, let’s discuss the alternatives for ourselves.

I will be attending the street party in London and joining the women’s bloc. I will stand with other women on the front line of this fight against the cuts, and then join the party and look to the future we want to see. If the government isn’t interested in giving women the power we want, then we’ll just have to take it ourselves.

It’s been a while since our last update on feminist activity in Northern Ireland, but as we come into springtime we’ve seen some very exciting campaigning start to bloom.

Our recent quizzing of activists identified the issue of women in politics as a feminist priority in the region. Since the Good Friday Agreement in 1998, there have been four elections for the Northern Ireland Assembly, in which 17% of all candidates have been women and only one constituency has ever elected an equal number of females and males. In 1998, 14 women were elected among the 108 Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLA), rising to 18 in 2003 and remaining there in 2007. Last month, the high-point of 20 produced by the 2011 election was surrendered, when outgoing Margaret Ritchie of the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) gave way to male MLA number 89.

More positively, environment minister Alex Attwood (also SDLP) recently provoked considerable debate by disclosing his efforts to introduce gender quotas for future council elections (24% of current local councillors in NI are women).

Ever on the vanguard of local discourse around gender equality, NI Feminista in conjunction with Queen’s Feminist Society hosted a panel event a week before Mr Attwood’s remarks on “Building Women’s Participation in Political Life in Northern Ireland.” Questions were posed to female MLAs representing the Alliance Party, SDLP and Sinn Féin, arguably the three Executive parties least likely to humiliate themselves whilst engaging with this issue or with women, let alone feminists. The discussion was chaired by Bronagh Hinds of local organisation DemocraShe. The panellists were supportive of the issue, but also defensive of their parties and less than illustrative that the presence of women in government will result in action around feminist priorities (or, to express it mathematically, feminists > MLAs). One remarked that any real movement towards a pro-choice stance on abortion within her party would give her reason to jump ship.

Soon after came the “How to Elect More Women in NI” conference, organised by the Women’s Resource and Development Agency and the Centre for the Advancement of Women in Politics. Both NI Regional Organisers attended this excellent event, enjoying the flow of information and debate while remaining frustrated at the underwhelming response of party representatives.

UK Feminista has also been represented at Belfast Feminist Network’s monthly Feminist Forum, at which Michael contributed to the debate on ‘multiple feminisms.’ These stimulating events continue to grow – all feminists within a reasonably traversable distance are hugely advised to join the Facebook page and come along! Alongside that, a new Action against Sexist PR group has begun organising a campaign targeting nightclubs, local councils (!) and other offenders. An anti-rape campaign to counter the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s ironically silly, victim-blaming ‘Be Smart’ efforts is also on its way. We recently lent a hand in preparation for the Empty Purse Protest, of which we can expect plenty more of the same (also see the Feminist Forum link above for a write-up on how the rotten economy and welfare reform is impacting on women).

In the midst of all this activity (and plenty more!) we are busy planning our dazzlingly exciting NI Feminista training/networking day event for June. Keep in touch via our Facebook and Twitter pages, or you can also send us an email.

Salary: As a Trustee position this is a voluntary role.

Commitment: Must be available to attend quarterly Trustee meetings in London and undertake relevant duties in-between meetings.

How to apply: Please send your CV and a covering letter to UK Feminista’s Chair, Hannah Pool: recruitment@ukfeminista.org.uk. If you would like to discuss the role before applying please either email recruitment@ukfeminista.org.uk or call Kat Banyard on 0207 061 6220.

When to apply: Deadline for applications is 30 April 2012. If a suitable candidate has not applied in this time then the recruitment deadline will be extended.

Further details: Download the Treasurer Treasurer Role Description

What’s the problem?
London has high rates of violence against women: 3,000 rapes and 45,000 incidents of domestic violence were reported to the police last year, and 7,000 children were born to women who had undergone female genital mutilation. 1 in 4 women in London also feel unsafe on public transport

The End Violence Against Women (EVAW) Coalition is calling on all Mayoral candidates to sign up to a 10-point plan to tackle violence against women

Take action

• Tweet/Facebook the Mayoral candidates and ask what they will do to make London safe for all women: @borisjohnson @ken4london @greenjennyjones @brianpaddick. (Example tweet: How will you make London safe for all women? Please sign EVAW’s 10 point plan http://tinyurl.com/blgnxs7 #evaw)
• Attend the mayoral hustings organised by EVAW on Thursday 12 April and question the candidates. It’s taking place from 6-8pm in Hackney. Email admin@evaw.org.uk to book a place.

Resources
EVAW Women’s Safety Manifesto
EVAW election flyer
EVAW website

The actions, taking place outside Nike stores in London and Glasgow, saw campaigners ‘cheat’ their way through a series of races  and hold a medal ceremony awarding Nike the title of “biggest cheat’.

New research has uncovered systematic violations of women workers’ rights in Bangladeshi factories supplying garments for Nike, Puma and Adidas. 85% of garment workers in Bangladesh are women, 1 in 10 of whom experience sexual harassment at work, with many refused the maternity rights they are legally entitled to. Forced unpaid overtime, low wages and the routine firing of pregnant workers were also exposed.

Yet Nike, who are sponsoring Team USA at the Olympics as well as individual British athletes including Mark Cavendish and Paula Radcliffe, are set to reap huge financial rewards as the brand most associated with the Olympics. UK Feminista’s protest also comes in the wake of heavy criticism of Nike’s ‘Girl Hub’ initiative, a programme aiming to push girls up the development agenda, after it’s ability bring about real change for girls was thrown into doubt.

The protests took place in solidarity with the National Garment Workers Federation in Bangladesh.

Nike responded to the criticism, saying they were studying War On Want’s report.

Fiona Ranford, Grassroots Activism manager at UK Feminista, said:

“Nike’s neglect of the endemic women rights abuses in their supply chains makes their claims to a belief in “unleashing human potential” and their association with Olympic values laughable. By sourcing from factories that use sexual harassment to intimidate, and deny maternity rights in order to meet impossible production targets, Nike are profiting from gender inequality.

“Despite disproportionate household burdens and the high risk of losing their jobs if discovered to be in a union, garment workers are defying intimidation to fight back against exploitation. Now feminists in the UK are mobilising in solidarity with women workers to demand that Nike and the British government take urgent action to stop these abuses.

“On International Women’s Day Nike challenged women to “come up with five ways you can empower yourself and women all around the world”. Here’s one way: stop Nike exploiting the women making its clothing.”

Nadia Idle, Activism and Outreach Officer at War on Want, said:

“Nike must act immediately to tackle the routine abuse of women workers’ rights in the factories producing their sportswear. By sponsoring high profile athletes they are wrapping themselves in the Olympic flag, yet they refuse to live by the Games’ core values of fair play and respect. Ultimately new measures are needed by the government to bring this exploitation to an end – only by allowing proper access to justice for overseas victims of corporate abuse will this problem be resolved.”

Dear Friend,

UK Feminista is two years old today! Will you give a birthday gift and help us stay strong for another two years?

UK Feminista was born from a simple but explosive belief: that together ordinary people like us can create a better world. Inequalities between women and men may be rife, but we have the power to change that.

That’s why UK Feminista was set up, to help people like you and me build our campaigning skills and develop links with each other. But we need to find funding to continue.

Please consider making a donation to keep UK Feminista’s crucial work going.

It’s been an incredible couple of years for UK Feminista. Together we’ve…

• generated international press coverage for our protests, including actions against the Playboy Club in London and the impact of the Government’s cuts on women
• trained hundreds of activists at two annual Summer Schools and inspired debate among the 1000 people who attended our FEM 11 conference
• supported activists across the UK through our fantastic team of Regional Organisers

It’s been an exciting time for feminism more broadly too. Our research shows the number of grassroots activist groups has doubled in the past two years and actions and protests are now being staged week in, week out.

While volunteer activists are the lifeblood of our organisation, there are still costs that need covering in order to stage creative protests, train activists and help ensure the renewed interest in feminism translates into real change for women.

Please donate to UK Feminista today. Our work is only possible with the generous support of people like you. Please give whatever you can afford. Whether it’s £2 or £200 – your support is vital and will make a difference to what we can achieve this year.

Thank you, and we look forward to another two years of fabulous feminist actions!

Hannah Pool
Chair, UK Feminista

Here’s what your donation to UK Feminista could support:

£10 = props & placards for one of our creative protest actions

£20 = ‘starter pack’ for a new feminist activist group

£100 = a campaigning workshop for 30 activists

£200 = an activist training film

Ways to donate

1) Make a one-off online donation via Paypal.

2) Give a regular donation via Paypal

3) Make a bank transfer
Our account details:
Account name: UK Feminista
Account no: 65382954
Sort code: 089299

4) Send a cheque made payable to ‘UK Feminista’ to:
UK Feminista
Southbank House
Black Prince Road
London
SE1 7SJ

London Cheats’ Olympics
Date: Saturday 31 March 2012
Location: Niketown, Oxford Circus
Time: 11:30am
Facebook event

What’s the problem?

The 2012 Olympics are drawing all eyes to London. But the impact of the Olympics is already being felt by women workers in Bangladesh in factories producing sportswear. New research released by War on Want shows that Bangladeshi garment workers, 85% of whom are women, are being cheated of their maternity rights, face sexual harassment, and recieve poverty pay. Those who join unions to demand better pay and conditions risk losing their jobs.

However, thousands of women have defied intimidation to fight for their rights as workers in the garment industry. On 31 March feminists in the UK will get out onto the streets to join their struggle.

Bangladeshi Garment Workers' May Day Protest

Take Action

Attend the London Cheats’ Olympics: Play your part in the global fight for women’s rights and join UK Feminista at the London Cheats’ Olympics. Meet us outside Nike, Oxford Circus at 11.30am where you can cheat your way through our own Olympic sports and we will award Nike a very special medal.

Hold your own Cheats’ Olympics: Put on an event in your own city using our Cheats’ Olympics guide

Email Nike: Demand that the sportswear brands involved in the Olympics raise the bar on worker rights

Find out more about the problems Bangladeshi garment workers face in War On Want’s report.