So, you really think we're stupid, do you?

10-year-old Ananya is frustrated by magazines aimed at girls

Published: 4 October 2008 | Written by Ananya

It's only a bloody tampon

Is a tampon soaked in stage blood too shocking for theatre-goers? Gemma Bolwell and Harriet Chandler report

Published: 22 September 2008 | Written by Various Authors

What Not To Wear say to your co-worker

How would you feel if you found out the people around you chat about putting you forward for How to Look Good Naked? Kelly Draper knows all too well

Published: 12 August 2008 | Written by Kelly Draper

Domestic violence and disabled women

Disabled women are twice as likely to experience domestic violence, and can face a range of additional barriers - from inaccessible shelters onwards, Clare Laxton reports

Published: 12 July 2008 | Written by Clare Laxton

Mama's mop and Bachelor's soup

Although women shoulder most of the housework burden, men also vacuum, wash up and do the laundry. Kristine Bergström wonders why TV advertising persists in pretending otherwise?

Published: 9 June 2008 | Written by Kristine Bergström

Are women and girls vulnerable?

Violent men do not attack girls or women because they are 'vulnerable', argues Jennifer Drew, and it deflects attention from the perpetrators to pretend otherwise

Published: 19 May 2008 | Written by Jennifer Drew

The Oxbridge sex workers

Laurie Penny considers why so many Oxbridge students are going into prostitution and stripping, and the impact the media coverage of their stories has on women in less privileged positions

Published: 11 May 2008 | Written by Laurie Penny

Hip hop ladies

Beyond the mainstream of 'gangster pop', Nino argues hip hop can be - and is - feminist

Published: 7 May 2008 | Written by Nino

F.A.T.

Girls and women need to give themselves a break from the endless preoccupation with fat, argues Katie Muller

Published: 7 May 2008 | Written by Katie Muller

The epidemic of male violence against women

A spate of convictions has put femicide into the headlines again. But, as Jennifer Drew reports, the media is still blaming women - and ignoring 'everyday' incidents of male violence against women

Published: 6 April 2008 | Written by Jennifer Drew

Walking on eggshells

Approaching men on the street and asking them to undress and be photographed can be frightening - and highlights the struggle for women to find equality. Alex Brew explains

Published: 2 April 2008 | Written by Alex Brew

UK feminists must address worldwide issues

All over the planet women are denied the most basic rights. Ruthie Samuel asks: where is the outrage?

Published: 4 February 2008 | Written by Ruthie Samuel

Why men should care about gender stereotypes

Alex Gibson considers the harm done by stereotypes of men as beer-swilling, emotionally-stunted brutes

Published: 2 February 2008 | Written by Alex Gibson

Of corset matters

Corsets were bad news for Victorian women, argues Laurie Penny, and modern incarnations are little better

Published: 2 February 2008 | Written by Laurie Penny

Breaking out of the mould

Claire Daly interviews the first editor of pioneering feminist magazine Spare Rib

Published: 31 January 2008 | Written by Claire Daly

The F Word Podcast - episode three!

Episode three of The F Word podcast - on the tricky topic of pornography - is out now!

Published: 14 January 2008 | Written by Jess McCabe

Against censorship

Porn should be reformed, not banned, argues Laurie Penny

Published: 2 January 2008 | Written by Laurie Penny

Glamour models made me sick

Lads' mags are responsible for my eating disorder, says Hannah Whittaker

Published: 2 January 2008 | Written by Hannah Whittaker

Miss LSE or Miss-ogyny?

Antonia Strachey explains why she took part in a protest against a beauty contest for students at the London School of Economics

Published: 2 January 2008 | Written by Antonia Strachey

Filling the hole

The self-hating mindset, if not the medical condition, of anorexia is frighteningly common, argues Katie Muller

Published: 6 December 2007 | Written by Katie Muller

How not to write your policy on transgender rights

A Home Office policy that should help protect transgender civil servants from discrimination? Great news. But, asks Emma Wood, why does it insist that women and men have different brains?

Published: 5 December 2007 | Written by Emma Wood

Does 'gender neutral' language serve to cover up male violence?

Gender-neutral language applies to male criminals, but not to their female victims, argues Jennifer Drew

Published: 3 December 2007 | Written by Jennifer Drew

High heels with a pointe

A collection of extreme stilettos tells a very uncomfortable story about the high heels many women totter around in every day, says Gloria Dawson

Published: 9 November 2007 | Written by Gloria Dawson

How many lesbians does it take to sell a t-shirt?

Girl-on-girl action may be marketing gold, but has little benefit for actual lesbians, argues Joanna Whitehead

Published: 4 November 2007 | Written by Joanna Whitehead

TV for men

Carrie Dunn asks why the TV executives behind new channel Dave assume that only men are interested in 'witty banter'

Published: 3 November 2007 | Written by Carrie Dunn

The problem with pink

Pink ribbons may raise life-saving funding for breast cancer research. But, Michelle Wright says, October's month of consumer altruism glosses over the reality of the disease - and allows corporations to line their pockets

Published: 31 October 2007 | Written by Michelle Wright

The woman behind Persephone Books

Nicola Beauman makes a living from re-printing the forgotten works of female writers. She talks to Cazz Blase about chick lit, the 'surplus' women of the inter-war years and the book trade

Published: 31 October 2007 | Written by Cazz Blase

Abortion: still a feminist issue

It is 40 years since abortion was legalised in the UK, yet our right to control our own bodies is still under threat. Irina Lester reports

Published: 6 October 2007 | Written by Irina Lester

The media has failed women's football

Football is supposedly a national obsession. But, from the media's coverage of the women's World Cup, it seems we are only interested when the players are men. Carrie Dunn reports

Published: 5 October 2007 | Written by Carrie Dunn

Crinolines and corsets... again

Period drama concentrates almost exclusively on the bonnets and Bennets universe of the 19th century novel, while there are few adaptations of more recent material dealing with gender politics and the sexual revolution. Cazz Blase makes some suggestions

Published: 5 October 2007 | Written by Cazz Blase

No porn is good porn?

Is it possible to reconcile an appreciation for porn with feminism? Searching for answers, Abby O'Reilly interviews Anna Span, the UK's first female porn director

Published: 1 October 2007 | Written by Abby O'Reilly

When did it go so tits up?

Facebook has banned photos of breast-feeding. But such images have graced churches and art galleries for hundreds of years. Ruth Moss explores what went wrong

Published: 1 October 2007 | Written by Ruth Moss

Carmen out swinging: Sally Potter takes on opera's femme fatale

Most productions of the classic opera Carmen would make a feminist wince. Movie director Sally Potter tells Sophie Mayer about her new adaptation

Published: 4 September 2007 | Written by Sophie Mayer

Skinny porn

The size-zero debate is just another excuse for judging women's bodies, argues Abi M

Published: 30 August 2007 | Written by Abi M

What does the politics of hair say about modern Britain?

Racism and sexism are intertwined - so feminism must tackle them both head-on, says Veronica Wood-Querales

Published: 30 August 2007 | Written by Veronica Wood-Querales

Can burlesque be feminist?

Burlesque may set feminist alarm-bells ringing, but it can help cultivate a love of your own body, argues Chloe Emmott

Published: 30 August 2007 | Written by Chloe Emmott

Skirting the issue

From tampons with skirts to silky pads, sanitary product manufacturers will try anything to hawk their goods. Harriet Reuter Hapgood reports

Published: 8 August 2007 | Written by Harriet Reuter Hapgood

Coitophobia: who do you trust?

Maria Roberts explains why she bypassed writing about the experience of domestic violence, to craft a play about two women pulling themselves together after their escape

Published: 8 August 2007 | Written by Maria Roberts

The F Word podcast: episode one!

Welcome to the first ever F Word podcast!

Published: 9 July 2007 | Written by Jess McCabe

Yummy-mummy or pramface?

Baby-making has become a high-pressure pursuit, argues Abby O'Reilly. Celebrity 'yummy-mummies' only raise the stakes further and obscure the realities of child-birth and motherhood

Published: 7 July 2007 | Written by Abby O'Reilly

Girls Aloud, beauty secrets and lies

A recent magazine article on Girls Aloud proclaimed to "reveal their beauty secrets". But, Michelle Wright argues, all it really did was expose the effects of subscribing to patriarchal, capitalist beauty standards on women's self-esteem

Published: 3 June 2007 | Written by Michelle Wright

Female commentator kicks off barrage of sexism

A woman commentating on the beautiful game? Whoever heard of such a thing. Katherine confronts the sexist response to Jacqui Oatley's first stint on Match of the Day

Published: 2 June 2007 | Written by Katherine

A feminist guide to ballet

From body image to ultra-femininity, ballet has a bad rap with feminists. Returning to classes for the first time in 15 years, Jess McCabe finds her inner ballerina

Published: 2 June 2007 | Written by Jess McCabe

A hairy dilemma

Women are signed up at puberty for a lifetime of relentless hair removal. But, asks Emma Chaplin, if the alternative is pariah status and the laughter of children, what can a feminist do?

Published: 2 May 2007 | Written by Emma Chaplin

Zines: for when mainstream media lets us down

Feminist blogs are blooming, but many women seeking a creative outlet still turn to hand-made zines. This May, the Women's Library in London will play host to Zine Fest!, showcasing women's zines past and present, as well as providing scissor-and-paper classes for aspiring zinesters. Red Chidgey, who is organising this first-of-a-kind event, explains to Cazz Blase why zines still flourish and picks some of her favourites

Published: 29 March 2007 | Written by Cazz Blase

Jacky Fleming on drawing for feminism

Jacky Fleming is responsible for one of the most iconic images of the feminist movement - plus a stream of widely-distributed cartoons that poke fun at such unlikely subjects as sexual harassment and the male-dominated workplace, as well as men and relationships. Jess McCabe caught up with her by email

Published: 29 March 2007 | Written by Jess McCabe

Could Britney Spears be the feminist icon of our generation?

Britney Spears is a strong, confident, self-made woman - in short, she is a feminist success story. No wonder the tabloid's love affair with her finished so abruptly when she cut off her locks, argues Theadora Jean

Published: 29 March 2007 | Written by Theadora Jean

Hair today, mad tomorrow

Even when baldness is caused by illness, it is taboo because it flouts conventions of femininity, argues Nichi Hodgson. Britney Spears is only the latest in a long line of reviled, bald women - and, worst of all, she chose to shave off her locks

Published: 29 March 2007 | Written by Nichi Hodgson

Lifting the veil on mothers and daughters

Mother's Day is an extravaganza of flowers and cards. But Rosjke Hasseldine asks why no one is paying attention to real mother-daughter relationships

Published: 14 March 2007 | Written by Rosjke Hasseldine

Sex and the Music Video

Like the rest of us, Fay Bound Alberti can't seem to escape the soft-core pornography that's become part of everyday life. She ponders what it all means for women, men, girls, boys, and relationships.

Published: 1 February 2007 | Written by Fay Bound Alberti

Dreaming of a Pink Christmas

As Christmas approaches, the children's toy industry goes into overdrive. Rosalyn Ball looks at how girls and boys toys are still unbelievably segregated along strict gender lines.

Published: 16 December 2006 | Written by Rosalyn Ball

Gifts for Her

It's not only children's gifts that are a problem at Christmas. As Emma Hadfield explains, the options presented as 'gifts for him' and 'gifts for her' are laughably old-fashioned, enforcing traditional roles for women and men. Can't we have gift ideas aimed at individuals with different interests rather two-dimensional stereotypes?

Published: 16 December 2006 | Written by Emma Hadfield

Fairy Tales are Grimm

Ugly sisters? Evil step-mothers? Prince charming and happy ever after? Dina Jose argues that traditional fairy tales can cause more harm than good, and suggests we need to tell children fun, inspiring stories instead that teach them the right messages.

Published: 11 December 2006 | Written by Dina Jose

Uncovering The Internet Art Revolution

It's free, fantastic, and you don't even have to leave your own home! Whilst some campaigners focus on getting more female artists into mainstream galleries and museums, Sarah Parry encourages us to open up to a world of talented new female artists on the internet.

Published: 2 October 2006 | Written by Sarah Parry

World Cup WAGs

Sarah Louisa Phythian-Adams argues that the irrational focus on the 'Wives and Girlfriends' of footballers during the World Cup demonstrates a wider dismissal of women's sporting prowess and of women's role in society in general.

Published: 24 July 2006 | Written by Sarah Louisa Phythian-Adams

Sexual Harassment is Not Trivial

Helen Clarke is disappointed with Germaine Greer, whose comments about events on Australian Big Brother seemed to dismiss sexual harassment as "trivial".

Published: 24 July 2006 | Written by Helen Clarke

Don't cha wish pop was more empowering?

As more and more female music artists such as Beyoncé and The Pussycat Dolls declare themselves to be empowered, Kerry-Lynne Doyle analyses asks whether these artists, and the music industry itself, can ever be feminist-friendly.

Published: 2 July 2006 | Written by Kerry-Lynne Doyle

Real Female Heroines

As FHM publishes its '100 sexiest women' list, Maxine Frances goes for an antidote and pays tribute to her own female idols, whilst pondering the effect female heroines can have in inspiring young women and girls.

Published: 29 May 2006 | Written by Maxine Frances

Challenging The 'Sex Sells' Cliche

Everywhere you turn these days there are sexualised images of women's bodies as porn becomes more and more mainsteam. Rachel Bell investigates the growing protest movement against the normalisation of porn in everyday life.

Published: 12 February 2006 | Written by Rachel Bell

Ordinary Ads, Everyday Images

Catherine Redfern takes her camera out and about in London to analyse the imagery shown in ordinary adverts. Do the representations of men and women differ? And if so, how?

Published: 28 November 2005 | Written by Catherine Redfern

Feminism and Popular Culture

Sarah New explains how anti-feminist ideas are utterly pervasive in modern culture today, and calls for a fresh wave of feminism to counter this backlash.

Published: 5 November 2005 | Written by Sarah New

Attention Seeker

The Radio 1 broadcaster Sara Cox recently complained about not getting whistled at and "leched" after by men in the steet. Rosa wonders what affect her example is having on young women and takes issue with Cox's insistence that there is "no such thing as unwanted attention".

Published: 1 August 2005 | Written by Rosa

Subvert the Dominant Pimpiarchy

How did the abusive, exploitative role of Pimp become the epitome of cool? Rachel Bell comments on this outrageous trend in modern culture.

Published: 8 November 2004 | Written by Rachel Bell

Sick of Celebrity

Why is it assumed that all women want to emulate celebrities? Against the suffocating celebrity-worship culture, Nicky Raynor argues in favour of glorious anonymity, individuality, and a greater variety of female role models.

Published: 5 November 2004 | Written by Nicky Raynor

Sports Illustrated

When Maria Sharapova won the women's final at Wimbledon this summer, her success was covered extensively by the press. However, the majority of the coverage focussed excessively on her appearance, as Ealasaid Gilfillan explains.

Published: 10 August 2004 | Written by Ealasaid Gilfillan

Why It's time for the 'battle of the sexes' to end

Lad culture has done nothing more than perpetuate petty hatred between the sexes. Enough is enough, says Laura Baldwin.

Published: 20 July 2004 | Written by Laura Baldwin

Crime and Punishment: Maxine Carr and other 'evil women'

Jo Knowles explains how the media's demonisation of Maxine Carr is symptomatic of stereotypes often attached to women: either Angels or Monsters, not flawed human beings.

Published: 1 June 2004 | Written by Jo Knowles

A Perfect Delusion

What effect are men's magazines having on men's views of women and heterosexual relationships? Samantha Lyster thinks men who fall for the magazines' propaganda about women are setting themselves up for a fall.

Published: 19 April 2004 | Written by Samantha Lyster

Hollywood Women

Lorraine Smith ponders the role of women in film-making. What will it take for women to be accepted behind the camera - and how long will it be before a womans win the Academy Award for Best Director?

Published: 19 March 2004 | Written by Lorraine Smith

Cutting Women Down to Size

Is Michelle's victory in Pop Idol a sign that we're starting to reject the impossible beauty standards imposed on us? As much as she wants to believe, Jo Knowles isn't so sure.

Published: 19 January 2004 | Written by Jo Knowles

Stand Up For Equality

Women can be as witty, confident and funny as men. So why there are so few women in stand up comedy, asks Kadie Armstrong?

Published: 19 December 2003 | Written by Kadie Armstrong

The Feminist Minefield?

Lorraine Smith doesn't think feminism is incompatible with a penchant for pornography. She argues that the industry is finally beginning to benenfit women, both as participants and viewers.

Published: 19 December 2003 | Written by Lorraine Smith

It's rude to point: blame culture's easy way out

New crime statistics show that reports of rape are on the increase - yet the conviction rate remains pitifully low. Why, asks Carter-Ann Mahdavi, are the female victims still being blamed, and the actions of male rapists ignored?

Published: 19 August 2003 | Written by Carter-Ann Mahdavi

Real Men Drink Pints

Andrew Bowden goes searching for a Father's Day gift that doesn't involve socks, football, beer, DIY or Homer Simpson.

Published: 16 June 2003 | Written by Bods

Page 3 - Ban It!

Page 3 is odious - ban it! says Kate Allen

Published: 16 March 2003 | Written by Kate Allen

Body Image

Lorraine Smith explains the pressures the media puts on women to be thin and beautiful.

Published: 16 March 2003 | Written by Lorraine Smith

What's Up Baby?

Missmogga explains why she objects to the commercial sex industry and modern culture's representation of black women.

Published: 16 October 2002 | Written by Missmogga

Diet Grrrl - Feminism and Women's Magazines

Kate Allen looks at women's magazines today - and thinks enough is enough.

Published: 16 August 2002 | Written by Kate Allen

Diet Grrrl: An Example

A reader of The F-Word has kindly allowed us to reproduce the complaint she wrote 'in a moment of anger against Marie Claire magazine'. Be inspired! Grab that pen or send an email and give them a piece of your mind.

Published: 16 August 2002 | Written by Name Supplied

Big Brother, Virgins, and Female Singleness

Kristin Aune looks at society's attitudes to virginity and celibacy.

Published: 16 June 2002 | Written by Kristin Aune

Grrl Activistas - an introduction

Aoife McBride of the campaigning group 'Grrl Activistas' explains the group's aims and how the group started.

Published: 16 May 2002 | Written by Aoife McBride

The Spice Girls

The 'fab' five?

Published: 16 April 2002 | Written by Catherine Redfern

Show Girls: The State of

Marion Beach investigates why the best feminist theatre groups have rejected the 'f' word.

Published: 16 February 2002 | Written by Marion Beach

The UK Press - Time for a change

Lorraine Douglas scans the shelves of WH Smiths but fails to find anything of interest.

Published: 16 January 2002 | Written by Lorraine Douglas

Response to 'The Signs of Ageing'

Lyn Cicada responds to the article The Signs of Ageing.

Published: 16 October 2001 | Written by Lyn Cicada

'Just call me Bob.'

The 1975 Mandy Annual was about as subtle as a sledge hammer in its attempt to stop young girls becoming feminists. The resulting portrayal of a 'women's libber' has got to be seen to be believed.

Published: 16 August 2001 | Written by Catherine Redfern

Letters

A simple example of what you can do with a pen, some paper, and envelope and a stamp. Catherine Redfern gets scribbling.

Published: 16 August 2001 | Written by Catherine Redfern

Why Irma Kurtz is wrong about rape

In the June 2001 issue of British Cosmopolitan, the agony aunt Irma Kurtz replied to a reader's letter about rape. I think Irma's advice was irresponsible, insensitive, and re-iterates all the old myths about rape that we have tried so hard to break down over 30 years of feminism.

Published: 13 July 2001 | Written by Catherine Redfern

'The Eminem defence'?

Eminem's recent and highly publicised visit to the UK promoted a storm of debate and discussion. Were his homophobic, misogynist lyrics offensive, or not? Some claimed he was simply being ironic. So does irony mean we can't be offended?

Published: 16 April 2001 | Written by Catherine Redfern

Teenagers and Cosmetic Surgery

Why are more and more young women opting for breast implants? Catherine Redfern offers an explanation.

Published: 16 April 2001 | Written by Catherine Redfern

How To Create a Woman's Glossy Magazine in Five Minutes

I've been addicted to magazines since my teenage years, but they are just so, so frustratingly predictable! I reckon you could cobble one together very easily in five minutes, and here's how.

Published: 18 March 2001 | Written by Catherine Redfern