28 February 2007

Radical feminist romantic comedy - trailer!

Is Itty Bitty Titty Committee the first romantic comedy about radical feminists? Possibly not, but it’s the first I’ve heard of. Check out the trailer below: IBTC is directed by Jamie Babbit, of ‘But I’m A Cheerleader’, which I haven’t… Read more...

Posted by Jess McCabe at 28 February 2007

Feminist pre-school opens in northern Sweden

Parents in the northern Swedish city of Umeå have banded together to set up a feminist pre-school for their young children, The Local reports. Caroline Ahlénius is one of those behind the initiative to expand the remit of privately run… Read more...

Posted by Jess McCabe at 28 February 2007

Post-natal depression, who cares?

The National Institute for health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) recently stated that GPs and Midwives need to do more to identify depression in new and expectant mothers, according to a report by the BBC today. The health watchdog found that… Read more...

Posted by Abby O'Reilly at 28 February 2007

Low-fat dairy causes infertility

A team of Harvard boffins recently discovered that low-fat milk and yoghurt could precipitate female infertility, according to a report in The Times today. The study, carried out by the Harvard School of Public Health, discovered that women who consume… Read more...

Posted by Abby O'Reilly at 28 February 2007

Girl Guides for equality

As a young girl I was never a fan of the Girl Guides. I attended one meeting, hoping that with the uniform would come some sense of authority, but as we were all dressed the same it was difficult to… Read more...

Posted by Abby O'Reilly at 28 February 2007

Missouri rape victims billed for evidence kits?

Rape victims in Missouri, US, are routinely asked to pay for the rape kits used to collect evidence of the crime. Apparently a bill is currently being put forward which should change the situation, according to blogger Kelly Sue over… Read more...

Posted by Jess McCabe at 28 February 2007

27 February 2007

The end of marriage? Hardly

Secretary of State for Education Alan Johnson has given a speech saying he does not support a policy of reinstating tax breaks for married couples, because it is patently unfair to single parents. However, if you read The Telegraph (poor… Read more...

Posted by Jess McCabe at 27 February 2007

26 February 2007

Women to be admitted to the Royal Hospital

The Royal Hospital, traditionally home to the Chelsea pensioners, is to open its doors to women as of 2009, according to a report by the BBC. The hospital has been home to male veterans for in excess of 315 years,… Read more...

Posted by Abby O'Reilly at 26 February 2007

New York Times thinks women can't review military history books

How do you become a book reviewer for the New York Times? Well, it turns out, if you’re a woman you might as well not bother applying, because editor Barry Gewen doesn’t think female reviewers can tackle “general audience” books… Read more...

Posted by Jess McCabe at 26 February 2007

Court battle for equality in the work place

The Equal Opportunities Commission is to take the government to court for failing to properly implement European legislation meant to protect against sex discrimination. As reported in The Guardian today, the equalities watchdog is arguing that Trade and Industry Secretary… Read more...

Posted by Abby O'Reilly at 26 February 2007

Women disadvantaged in business

The introduction of women into the boardroom is still a relatively new phenomenon, but in recent times more and more of us are dusting off our power suits of a morning ready to embark on a new day in business…. Read more...

Posted by Abby O'Reilly at 26 February 2007

Women priests rock the Islamic world

The introduction of female priests in Morocco looks set to cause controversy in the Islamic world, according to a report by the BBC. These female priests, know as the Mourchidat, are the first ever to be invested with the authority… Read more...

Posted by Abby O'Reilly at 26 February 2007

25 February 2007

One year to save the Feminist Library

Some readers might know this, but several of the bloggers at the F Word, including myself and Louise, are involved in volunteering at the Feminist Library. We had an emergency meeting over the weekend, and have come to the conclusion… Read more...

Posted by Jess McCabe at 25 February 2007

Some members of the government not a complete lost cause?

It turns out that Cameron’s pro-marriage rhetoric, which in turn sparked more of the same from the Government, has caused a split in the Cabinet. The Guardian reports that Education Secretary Alan Johnson is set to give a speech next… Read more...

Posted by Jess McCabe at 25 February 2007

24 February 2007

Blears to go for Deputy PM position

Hazel Blears has put her hat into the ring for the position of Deputy Prime Minister. Blears is the second woman to put herself forward, after Harriet Harman. The BBC reports: Speaking in her Salford constituency as she launched her… Read more...

Posted by Jess McCabe at 24 February 2007

23 February 2007

Ladyfest Cambridge - coming soon

There’s nothing more enjoyable than meeting new people, and if they happen to share your interests then all the better. So, you’ll be pleased to know that the international phenomenon known as Ladyfest will be coming to Cambridge from… Read more...

Posted by Abby O'Reilly at 23 February 2007

The 32nd Carnival of Feminists

If you are cyber-savvy you will not have failed to notice the cultivation of a community of bloggers during recent years. The possibilities offered by self-publishing sites means that everyone from your elderly next door neighbour to top celebrities and… Read more...

Posted by Abby O'Reilly at 23 February 2007

Blogging from inside the comics industry

What does a comics editor do? If you’re interested in finding out, you could do much worse than read the new blog of Rachel Edidin, who works for Dark Horse Comics (the ones that do the Buffy comics). In a… Read more...

Posted by Jess McCabe at 23 February 2007

Drop in rape allegations and convictions in US

There has been a decline in the number of rape allegations and convictions among young women and men in the US, the LA Times reports. While questions remain about the reliability of the figures, the LA Times makes an explicit… Read more...

Posted by Jess McCabe at 23 February 2007

Women, Games and the Internet

Women have always been a hidden presence on the internet but this e-article shows misogyny and heterosexism aren’t dead on the internet. World of Warcraft is a fantasy war-gaming platform and Whitney Butts is one player amongst millions. However Butts… Read more...

Posted by Louise Livesey at 23 February 2007

Billie Piper's best role?

Billie Piper has spent a tumultuous time in the media spotlight. Having first burst onto our screens as a squeaky clean teenager dancing around street corners with a cheesy looking cartoon-like figure, she then spent a few years travelling the… Read more...

Posted by Abby O'Reilly at 23 February 2007

22 February 2007

Guest blog: Rachel Millward speaks on Birds Eye View film festival

The Birds Eye View film festival kicks off on the 8th of March, showcasing a week of films by emerging female filmmakers. Festival director Rachel Millward generously offered to put together a guest blog post, explaining why Birds Eye View… Read more...

Posted by Jess McCabe at 22 February 2007

Marriage out of fashion

There was once a time when great faith was stored in the holy sanctity of marriage. It was an institution not to be scoffed at, and considered a true indication of the depth of affection existing between a couple…. Read more...

Posted by Abby O'Reilly at 22 February 2007

Eggs For Sale

Nothing seemed like a more appealing way to make cash as a student than those advertisements requesting medical volunteers. For just half an hour of your time you’d be rewarded with £10, a photograph of your brain and a couple… Read more...

Posted by Abby O'Reilly at 22 February 2007

Woman wins top programming award

A female programmer has won the A. M. Turing Award for the first time. The LA Times reports that Frances Allen, “whose work helped crack Cold War-era code and predict the weather” is one of the few individuals to ever… Read more...

Posted by Jess McCabe at 22 February 2007

Wimbledon introduces equal prize money for women and men – finally

The BBC reports that women players in all rounds of this year’s competition at Wimbledon will receive the same prize money as men, bringing the tournament in line with the US and Australian Opens. And guess what? The misogynists, the… Read more...

Posted by Laura Woodhouse at 22 February 2007

Introducing Laura, our new blogger

Readers may well be familiar with our newest blogger, Laura from the excellent blog Not A Feminist But. Laura will be blogging for us about once a week, from her temporary new home in Chile. You can also check out… Read more...

Posted by Jess McCabe at 22 February 2007

Last Reminder - Save the Feminist Library!

Quick reminder that the emergency meeting to save the Feminist Library happens on Saturday at 11am at the Feminist Library, 5 Westminster Bridge Road. The Library needs new volunteers of all kinds and anyone is welcome to come along and… Read more...

Posted by Louise Livesey at 22 February 2007

Berlusconi: what a guy

Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi has resigned, after his government lost a crucial vote on its involvement in Afghanistan. As Variety is reporting, this could mean that Silvio Berlusconi returns to political power. But look what turned up in my… Read more...

Posted by Jess McCabe at 22 February 2007

Toys Too Sexy

Barbie has a lot to answer for. As a child I was totally entranced by her cascading ash blonde hair, long legs and pretty pink dresses, so much so that I assumed that when I grew up that’s what I… Read more...

Posted by Abby O'Reilly at 22 February 2007

21 February 2007

British Women Too Fat

It’s becoming more and more evident that we live in a culture characterised by extremes, extending far and beyond the disparity between those of us who love, and those of us who hate, Marmite. Oh yes, we can be completely… Read more...

Posted by Abby O'Reilly at 21 February 2007

20 February 2007

Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow…

If you don’t live under a rock on Mars you’ll now that last weekend Britney Spears was yet again subject to the scrutiny of the international press. But what has she done this time? No, she’s not met someone… Read more...

Posted by Abby O'Reilly at 20 February 2007

Feminists fight back on abortion

This is just a quick post to remind you to get your marching boots out in preparation for the abortions rights protest on 3 March, which Holly posted about at the beginning of the month. If you don’t have this… Read more...

Posted by Abby O'Reilly at 20 February 2007

Introducing Abby, our new blogger

I’m excited to announce we have a new edition to our pantheon of bloggers. Abby O’Reilly has been a regular contributor to The F Word since August 2006, and you can read previous work for us over on our… Read more...

Posted by Jess McCabe at 20 February 2007

Hallmark release greeting cards for eating disorders, miscarriage and post-partum depression

Hallmark, makers of kitsch and cute-sy greetings cards, are now promoting their new line for traumatic life events. Friend had a miscarriage? Send them a Hallmark card! Eating Disorder threatening a friends health? Post-partum depression? Friend leaving an abusive relationship?… Read more...

Posted by Louise Livesey at 20 February 2007

Too fat to be beautiful, too old to be beautiful now too maternal to be beautiful

A Spanish Beauty Pageant winner has been de-frocked(? decrowned?) because it was “discovered” she had a three year old child. The competition rules disallowed any competitors who were pregnant or mothers although the reciprocal male competition doesn’t disallow fathers from… Read more...

Posted by Louise Livesey at 20 February 2007

19 February 2007

Lads' mags post falling sales

Sales of lads’ mags fell a whopping 14.4% in 2006, according to reports in the Media Guardian (registration required). FHM’s circulation fell nearly 26%, and Arena 30%, but I take most pleasure from the falling sales of the vile Zoo… Read more...

Posted by Jess McCabe at 19 February 2007

18 February 2007

How to be the best gender-stereotyped boy/girl ever

Anyone who has had to shop for childrens’ books lately will have noticed the appearance of a number of books like The Dangerous Book For Boys. I must admit, I’ve even bought this particular book for my 10 year old… Read more...

Posted by Jess McCabe at 18 February 2007

17 February 2007

Amanda Marcotte speaks about being chased out of job by right-wingers

Amanda Marcotte, from Pandagon, has been forced to quit her new position as blogger for the John Edwards campaign, after an onslaught of harassment from the right wing. Over at Salon, she explains why she decided to resign, and ponders… Read more...

Posted by Jess McCabe at 17 February 2007

16 February 2007

Portugal to legalise abortion

Portugal will legalise abortion, after a referendum demonstrated popular support for abortion rights. Voter turnout was not high enough to trigger an automatic change in the law, but with 59% support for reform, the Socialist government will now bring forward… Read more...

Posted by Jess McCabe at 16 February 2007

Black Snake Moan - 'a bit problematic'?

I don’t like to judge films based purely on trailers. But with Black Snake Moan, it’s hard not to. I’ll quote Newsweek for the plot: There’s no polite way to describe Craig Brewer’s “Black Snake Moan,” so let’s get it… Read more...

Posted by Jess McCabe at 16 February 2007

Only fathers can stop kids joining gangs?

David Cameron wants to “compel” fathers to play a bigger role in their children’s lives, in a big to stop gang violence, the BBC reports. He was speaking in response to the shocking series of murders in South London. He… Read more...

Posted by Jess McCabe at 16 February 2007

13 February 2007

Harley Street 'bans' abortions

Doctors on Harley Street will not be allowed to perform abortions in the future, the BBC reports. Howard de Walden Estate, which owns much of the property on the street, has said it will not give out new leases, or… Read more...

Posted by Jess McCabe at 13 February 2007

Robert Kilroy-Silk demands women are admitted to mosques

Never one to avoid controversy, Robert Kilroy-Silk (MEP) has written to Meg Munn (MP) to demand she takes action on women’s exclusion from some mosques. On Radio 4’s today programme this morning he blasted Islam as “tribal and backward” (see… Read more...

Posted by Louise Livesey at 13 February 2007

More on The Verdict

Protests did take place on Sunday and are planned again for tonight against the BBC2 programme The Verdict. Indymedia has coverage and a rather lovely photograph . In the meantime Woman’s Hour has a podcast on it where Stephen Lambert,… Read more...

Posted by Louise Livesey at 13 February 2007

12 February 2007

Japan's chauvinist husbands attempt reform

A group of self-confessed chauvanist husbands in Japan is forging ahead with a plan to stop their wives divorcing them by doing the dishes, listening to their partners and saying “I love you” unashamedly. Over on AlterNet today, Catherine Makino… Read more...

Posted by Jess McCabe at 12 February 2007

Guest blogger explains Swedish prostitution law conundrum

Back in December, we blogged about new evidence that appeared to show that Swedish prostitution legislation - which criminalises the men who buy sex not prostitutes - was failing to curb the oldest profession. This is of particular interest because… Read more...

Posted by Jess McCabe at 12 February 2007

Routine Sexism on BBC Radio 4

Last week was a prize week for routine sexism on Radio 4 which, I think, serves well as an exemplar of just how widespread sexism still is and still is accepted in this country. First off was a statement by… Read more...

Posted by Louise Livesey at 12 February 2007

BBC 2'S The Verdict

Controversy reigns over the new BBC 2 programme which claims to be ground-breaking (despite the Channel 4 similar version a few weeks ago) and to explore the role of jurists. Unfortunately a few things that might give pause for thought:… Read more...

Posted by Louise Livesey at 12 February 2007

11 February 2007

Changes at The F Word

When I created this site six years ago in 2001 it was because I felt there was a lack of such resources for UK feminists. I had searched for feminist websites (google was just in its infancy at the time!)… Read more...

Posted by Catherine Redfern at 11 February 2007

Round Up

It’s been so busy over the last few days, there have been quite a few stories that have slipped through the net, so here’s a quick round up of interesting stuff from the blogosphere and beyond… Over at AlterNet, Robert… Read more...

Posted by Jess McCabe at 11 February 2007

10 February 2007

January 2007 comments from readers

Comments and feedback received during January from you lovely readers have now been published. Thank you!… Read more...

Posted by Catherine Redfern at 10 February 2007

8 February 2007

Wal-Mart to be hit by massive sex discrimination lawsuit

Up to 2 million women may now sue Wal-Mart for sex discrimination, after a US court ruled that a class-action lawsuit against the retail behemoth could go ahead. The Independent reports that an original complaint by six women, who accuse… Read more...

Posted by Jess McCabe at 8 February 2007

7 February 2007

Biting Beaver blog

Popular radical feminist blogger Biting Beaver, “missing” since November, has posted again today. (Via comments on a post at Boiled Down To This…)… Read more...

Posted by Catherine Redfern at 7 February 2007

6 February 2007

Female Chauvinist Pigs

Female Chauvinist Pigs Six F Word readers discuss Ariel Levy’s influential book on ‘raunch culture’ and the women who support it. Discussion by Marianne Lemond, Abby O’Reilly, Sheryl Plant, Holly Combe, Jessica Bateman and Catherine Redfern…. Read more...

Posted by Catherine Redfern at 6 February 2007

5 February 2007

Get an F-Word widget for your blog

Can’t get enough of the F Word? Why not install an F Word widget on your blog, MySpace page or website? Click here for more information. You can even configure how it looks to suit your own layout. I’ve got… Read more...

Posted by Jess McCabe at 5 February 2007

Abortion Rights Protest on 3 March

On 21 October, more than 220 people attended the Feminist Fightback conference at the School of Oriental and African Studies in London to discuss issues including socialist feminism, LGBT liberation, women workers’ struggles, low pay, sexual freedom, prostitution, women in… Read more...

Posted by Holly Combe at 5 February 2007

4 February 2007

CBB Pantomime Continues

The media coverage of Celebrity Big Brother 2007 is still dominating the newstands. Personally, I’m still recovering from the disbelief at Gordon Brown glibly telling us, during the Shilpa vs Jade eviction, that “a vote for Shilpa is a… Read more...

Posted by Holly Combe at 4 February 2007

F-rated: party to support female filmmakers

If you’re in London on Saturday 17 February, why not drop in at F-rated, an event to support female filmmakers. It’s going down at Rush on Frith Street in Soho, and the music promises to be excellent: Le Tigre,… Read more...

Posted by Jess McCabe at 4 February 2007

The Trials and Travails Of The Beauty Queen

Just thought I’d draw your attention to this piece on the guardian, an interesting examination by Kira Cochrane of the world of the beauty pageant and beauty queen, I know ‘Interesting’ might seem like an oxymoron in this context, but… Read more...

Posted by Jane Eyre at 4 February 2007

3 February 2007

It’s not a men’s club anymore: Antarctica

Antarctica is one of the toughest environments in the world. Allie Barden, better known as Sandwichgirl, has been working - and blogging - on the ice since 2003, when she got a job at the American McMurdo base. In… Read more...

Posted by Jess McCabe at 3 February 2007

1 February 2007

New Articles & Review

Fear Factor Claire McGowan explains how well-meaning Government and media campaigns to protect women could be focussing on the wrong issues. Preventing male violence, she argues, can not and should not be solved by women living in a state of… Read more...

Posted by Catherine Redfern at 1 February 2007

'Rape might as well be legal'

So few rapists get put behind bars that it might as well be legal, says Julie Bindel in the Guardian. If a man commits a rape, then he has, on average, a less than 1% chance of being convicted. Those… Read more...

Posted by Jess McCabe at 1 February 2007