Blog posts from July 2010
Judging Other Women, Judging Ourselves.
by Philippa Willitts // 31 July 2010, 12:52
Philippa discusses criticising women's bodies, and its implications.
"Unbought & Unbossed"
by Jess McCabe // 31 July 2010, 10:49
A documentary on Shirley Chisholm's campaign for US president in 1972 is available to watch free online. You do have to download a special player to watch Chisholm '72, but I definitely recommend it. (Or alternatively you can buy it...
Homophobia apparently just the same as objecting to homophobia
by Carrie Dunn // 30 July 2010, 15:24
If you've been following the magnificent Clare Balding on Twitter, you'll have seen this unpleasant little story unfolding over recent days. For those of you unfamiliar with her work, Balding is a BBC presenter (and for my money one of...
New review: Theodora
by Jess McCabe // 30 July 2010, 14:26
Stella Duffy’s first historical novel tells the story of Theodora’s rise from the stage to co-ruler of Constantinople, says Bidisha, without glossing over her restricted agency Constantinople, the 6th century. Not, one would think, the optimum setting for a wild...
Coming up: 10 years of TFW: How should we celebrate?
by Lynne Miles // 30 July 2010, 10:53
So 2011 will be the tenth anniversary of Catherine setting up The F Word, which we think is so fantastic we want to celebrate it somehow. But how? Ideas we've floated include a party, a rally, a fundraising campaign. And...
Oh, the Outrage!
by Philippa Willitts // 29 July 2010, 14:58
Philippa talks about a newspaper's outrage to see a slang term for sanitary towels on a shopping list on a soap.
Q&A with Evelin Stermitz, founder of ArtFem.TV
by Jess McCabe // 28 July 2010, 10:44
Video has always been a rich vein for feminist artists; we are in the YouTube age, but still access to much of this material is limited. Evelin Stermitz's ArtFem.TV seeks to change that. Why did you decide to launch...
Seven days to raise £700 - F-Word fundraiser, last leg!
by Jess McCabe // 27 July 2010, 23:09
We have only £700 left to raise to completely pay for our long-awaited redesign! To donate through PayPal, click here. But if you don't want to use PayPal, never fear: our treasurer Lynne can fill you in on the other...
Good news: government drops plans for rape defendant anonymity
by Jess McCabe // 27 July 2010, 11:47
The coalition government has dropped plans to extend anonymity to rape defendants. Instead of legislation, the government is reportedly to "negotiate with the Press Complaints Commission to persuade newspapers and websites to allow suspected rapists to remain anonymous"....
Jane Austen's Fight Club
by Jess McCabe // 25 July 2010, 23:23
Via Jezebel...
New feature - Rape: treat the cause, not the symptom
by Jess McCabe // 24 July 2010, 17:38
After the rape attacks on female festival-goers this summer, platitudes are not the answer, argues Amy Nicholson Safety advice given to festival-goers often covers the basics. Don’t leave valuables in your tent, don’t let fires get out of control, don’t...
New review: Never Kiss a Man in a Canoe
by Jess McCabe // 24 July 2010, 17:34
Advice dished out by agony aunts and uncles from the 1850s to 1960s demonstrates how much has changed - and how much has stayed the same, argues Sian Norris This charming collection of agony aunt (and uncle) advice from the...
New review: Our Tragic Universe
by Jess McCabe // 24 July 2010, 17:32
Scarlett Thomas’ latest novel delves into the nature of narrative, says Katherine Wootton When a novelist creates a character who is also a writer, it is natural to assume a link between the struggles of the character and the author,...
Michelle Rodriguez on why her characters keep getting killed off
by Jess McCabe // 23 July 2010, 13:43
Actor Michelle Rodriguez has some theories on why she keeps getting cast in roles which see her killed off. Asked about this at a comics convention, she said: Because I don't take my clothes off, and I'm nobody's girlfriend. The...
New feature - Women in punk: the disappearing years
by Jess McCabe // 23 July 2010, 10:27
What happened to the women of 1970s British punk once the 1980s dawned? Cazz Blase continues her series This is part four in a series of features writing women back into the history of British punk. Click here to read:...
MAC apologises for theming makeup range around Juárez
by Jess McCabe // 21 July 2010, 20:35
Cosmetics firm MAC has apologised and is to rename a range of makeup, in response to the outrage caused by its decision to seek inspiration from Cuidad Juárez in Mexico, where an estimated 400 young women have been violently murdered...
Coming soon: The Big Bum Jumble
by Bill Savage // 20 July 2010, 15:09
If you were to bring to mind an image of political activism, chances are a jumble sale isn’t exactly what you’d picture. This summer though all that is set to change as on the 14th of August the Big Bum...
One domestic worker's story
by Jolene Tan // 20 July 2010, 09:14
In February I wrote about the gross maltreatment and dehumanisation of domestic workers in Singapore. It's received a comment from MaidinSing, one such worker who blogs to raise awareness of the way in which migrant labour is exploited in Singapore....
New review: Women, Power & Politics: Now
by Jess McCabe // 19 July 2010, 07:38
Laura Nelson reviews this collection of short plays at London’s Tricycle theatre As part of The Tricycle's Women, Power & Politics series, the theatre is hosting two collections of short plays; 'Now' focusing on contemporary issues of women and politics,...
Women in prison: Inspectorate report
by Jolene Tan // 16 July 2010, 20:21
Last week the Inspectorate of Prisons released a thematic report on women's prisons.Prisons are mostly populated by people who have been socially excluded in any number of ways, but there are, as you might expect, gendered aspects to these experiences....
Advice needed: how should teenager deal with sexist teasing from boys at school?
by Jess McCabe // 16 July 2010, 14:41
What advice would you give a teenage girl on dealing with sexist comments from male classmates? Sarah wrote in with this question: I get teased in school - what's the best way of shutting down boys who say girls can't...
'My fault, I'm female'
by Jess McCabe // 15 July 2010, 18:38
Finally, a place to get those stories of "gender discrimination, pay gap disparity, denial of rights, and inequality" off your chest in an anonymous fashion. My Fault, I'm Female looks like an interesting blog-to-watch. So far the venting relates to...
me maskuline
by Jess McCabe // 15 July 2010, 14:00
This art and video exhibition in London on masculinity looks interesting. From the press release: 'me maskuline’ is an exhibition of photography and video works exposing masculinity. The exhibition will take place at ArtsBar, Camberwell from 26th July to...
Feminists: Why you should join Labour to vote Diane
by Lynne Miles // 15 July 2010, 11:25
Diane Abbott is standing for the leadership of the Labour party. She's the only candidate with a record of activism for social justice. You may not realise you can influence the outcome of the election but you can: even if...
Giving porn its own domain
by Suswati Basu // 14 July 2010, 10:12
Stuart Lawley, Internet entrepreneur, has won the right to start selling registrations to a new domain devoted to pornographic content, .xxx. Currently, there are 7 million adult domains and as Lawley continues to sell another half a million, revenues of...
Mid-week round up
by Jess McCabe // 13 July 2010, 23:22
Dishonourable mention in today's round-up has to go to the Daily Express, which has managed in the last few days to offend with not one but two incredibly awful covers. The racism and ignorance of today's Express headline, "One in...
Polanski freed
by Jess McCabe // 13 July 2010, 10:19
A Swiss court has decided not to extradite Roman Polankski to the US, and he will not face rape charges. For a summation of this whole episode, see Johann Hari in the Independent: So that's OK then. It's fine to...
New review: Women, Power & Politics: Then
by Jess McCabe // 12 July 2010, 11:53
Kate McCarthy reviews a collection of short plays at the Tricycle As part of The Tricycle's Women, Power & Politics series, the theatre is hosting two collections of short plays; 'Now' focusing on contemporary issues of women and politics, and...
A few thoughts on the gendered coverage of the Raoul Moat story
by Carrie Dunn // 12 July 2010, 11:02
I'm not going to write in huge detail about this story because frankly I could write for pages and pages. I do want to draw attention to a few things, though: first of all, the idea that Samantha Stobbart was...
Registration opens for Feminism in London 2010
by Jess McCabe // 11 July 2010, 22:51
Registration is now open for Feminism in London 2010. This year's programme is packed with super-exciting speakers and workshops, including a feminist primer workshop conducted by Heidi Mirza, an intergenerational workshop for older and younger feminists to connect and...
On being a gender-free feminist.
by Becky Bolton // 9 July 2010, 14:40
I take a deep breath. I’ve been here before. But it wasn’t easy the first time around, and it isn’t this time, either. I turn to her in the car. We’re on the A1, coming back from her place. It...
Croydon council leader cuts rape crisis funding, gives himself pay rise
by Jess McCabe // 9 July 2010, 09:15
Croydon's Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre is having its funding cut by £27,000 a year - while the top Tories in the council are giving themselves pay rises. This is the currently the only rape crisis centre in London...
Anonymity for rape defendants splits Commons on gender lines, as LibCons shirk formal consultation
by Jess McCabe // 9 July 2010, 08:39
UPDATE: Apparently Ken Clarke has put a correction on record that he meant to extend his concern to "acquitted" not "convicted" rapists - via @gorilerof3b No formal consultation will be held on proposals to grant anonymity to rape defendants, the...
Budget Impact on Disabled Women
by Philippa Willitts // 8 July 2010, 19:11
Philippa writes about the potential effect of the Budget on disabled women.
Highlights of the London Literature Festival
by Jess McCabe // 6 July 2010, 19:51
This festival is already in full-swing, so I apologise for any obvious omissions! But here are some highlights of the London Literature Festival taking place on the South Bank, particularly pertinent for London-based F-Word readers: Friday 9 July: A Woman's...
You look fine. You really do. All of you.
by Philippa Willitts // 6 July 2010, 10:19
Philippa talks about 'designer vagina' cosmetic surgery, and the societal pressures that push women into having cosmetic surgery at all.
More bad news on the Budget
by Jess McCabe // 5 July 2010, 08:45
Women will bear the brunt of three-quarters of extra taxes and benefit cuts, according to a gender audit of the Budget carried out by the House of Commons library. And that does not even include the impact of the astounding...
New review: Viva la vagina
by Jess McCabe // 4 July 2010, 13:51
Jessica Gjergji is blown away by a performance of The Vagina Monologues at the Bristol Old Vic "My daughter's got a part in tonight's performance," I hear a rather tall man dressed in a tweed jacket tell the woman with...
Help Make It Stop
by Philippa Willitts // 4 July 2010, 10:56
Philippa writes about a Metropolitan Police campaign telling people to dial 999 if they hear domestic abuse through their walls.
Interview with an activist: the fight to make widow agenda a priority
by Suswati Basu // 3 July 2010, 23:16
Dr Mohini Giri, India’s leading woman’s activist is determined to see a shift within the treatment of widows. “India being a patriarchal society, the women is discriminated at her birth itself. Hence, when she loses her husband and becomes a...
Government confirms Equality Act to be implemented as planned
by Helen G // 3 July 2010, 16:19
Via the UK Press Association: Minister backs gender equality law The Government is to go ahead with Labour legislation which could require employers to disclose whether they pay women as much as men, it has been announced. Home Secretary Theresa...
Rapist Urged Not to Rape
by Philippa Willitts // 3 July 2010, 09:30
Philippa rewrites a local news article which puts the onus on women to prevent their own rapes.
World Cup watch
by Carrie Dunn // 3 July 2010, 08:27
In my job you learn to let some things go, because otherwise you'd end up with a stomach ulcer and daily heart attacks through stress. Couldn't not flag up this particular pearler from ITV1's commentator Clive Tyldesley last night, though,...
Not Ever
by Philippa Willitts // 2 July 2010, 11:40
Philippa posts details of Rape Crisis Scotland's first ever TV ad campaign.
Introducing Our July Guest Bloggers: Suswati Basu and Becky Bolton
by Holly Combe // 1 July 2010, 13:30
It's been an excellent year for guest bloggers here so far and I'd like to take the opportunity to welcome our brilliant new bloggers for July. Suswati Basu is a writer and an activist. Currently studying a BA in Mandarin...
A juror speaks
by Jess McCabe // 1 July 2010, 08:18
Under UK law, it is illegal for the people on a jury to ever speak about what went on in the jury room. Today's Guardian includes a piece by one woman who was on a jury which found Kirk Reid...
Founder of The F-Word, Catherine Redfern, has co-authored a new book with Kristin Aune. Find out more at the 
