Sell-out ‘Suffragette school’ marks feminist ‘renaissance’
Up to 600 women and men will converge in Birmingham this weekend at the UK Feminista Summer School for two days training in feminist activism. This sell-out event, which attracted 200 bookings in the first 24 hours, marks a nationwide resurgence in feminist activity.
Lessons at the Summer School will draw on century-old feminist tactics, like suffragette-style direct action, as well as the rather more modern approach of mobilising the masses through Facebook and Twitter. ‘Teachers’ include Egyptian feminist activist, Mozn Hassan, Fawcett Society director, Anna Bird, and UK Uncut activist, Aisha Mirza. Summer School students will also take part in an aerial photograph spelling out the words ‘Feminism is back’.
Grassroots activism has surged over the past 12 months, with dozens of local activist groups springing up, a flurry of feminist books, and demonstrations such as the Eff Off Hef! anti-Playboy protest, Slutwalks and Million Women Rise.
Kat Banyard, Director of UK Feminista, said:
“The upsurge in feminist activism has been sparked by a multitude of threats to women’s equality: attacks on abortion rights, the relentless objectification of women in the media, the brutal public sector cuts which are undermining women’s economic equality. But at its heart, the feminist resurgence is being fuelled by one simple truth: this revolution ain’t finished yet.
“Feminism has returned to the streets, and that’s where it belongs. Because progress towards a world where women and men live equally won’t be achieved solely by small groups of policy makers huddled behind closed doors. It takes ordinary women and men to stand up and be counted – and take action for the world they want to live in. Activists like those meeting at Summer School this weekend are key to the future of feminism.”
