‘Fear is gonna Change Sides’.. Women’s Self Defense. Just months before they had shared a video on Whatsapp of themselves abusing, mocking and stripping a drugged and kidnapped girl, to the adulation of their many fans (see Pozoblanco below).The San Fermin rape became the focus of a campaign against sexual abuse atthe Fiesta, highlighting many other similar cases, and condemning the impunity showed by the corrupt political justice system, as well as the links between machismo, bull torture, catholic nationalism and rape in the ‘culture’ of the Spanish right.The sentencing of the rapists came just weeks after the first ever women’s General Strike on March 8th with an unprecedented awakening to the abuse , denigration and discrimination against women.A heavy sentence was expected but the judges ruled there was no proof of rape, that the girl didn’t protest loud enough, and reduced the charge to ‘abuse’. For this they got 9 years each.. but with endless appeals and certain clemency they will likely never go to jail, like the hundreds of corrupt poiliticians charged but enjoying immunity..
What is African Feminism? Many feminists from around the world have contested the idea of whether modern conceptions of feminism are African or un-African. Indeed, feminism has existed in Africa since the times of Queen Nzinga of what is now Mozambique and Yaa Asantewaa of Ghana.
These women have inspired contemporary African feminists, who have contributed significantly to feminism in various ways—whether it be through art, music, writing, policy. They have been committed to bringing the voices of African women into the spaces that they work within, and they are indeed change-makers—not only on the African continent, but also throughout the African Diaspora.
As Women’s History Month comes to a close, we must take the time to celebrate the African Feminists you should know.
1. Theo Sowa – CEO of African Women’s Development Fund
Theo Sowa is Chief Executive Officer of the African Women’s Development Fund. She has previously worked as an independent advisor for a wide range of international and social development issues. Her work has covered advocacy, service delivery, evaluation, facilitation, policy, and organizational development with a range of international and intergovernmental organizations and grant-making foundations.
Professor Abena Busia is the current Chair of the Department of Women’s and Gender Studies at Rutgers University in New Jersey. She is also co-director and co-editor of the groundbreaking Women Writing Africa Project, a multi-volume anthology published by the Feminist Press at the City University of New York. As Professor Busia points out, “History is located in multiple places,” and the anthology is designed to recognize the complex cultural legacy and “cultural production” of African women. Busia has helped edit two volumes of the anthology—Women Writing Africa: West Africa and the Sahel (2005) and Women Writing Africa: Northern Africa (2009). Continue reading “18 African Feminists We Love and Celebrate”
Armed with skirts, social media, and a hidden camera, a group of women have taken to the streets of Mexico City to expose the misogyny inherent in Mexican society. ‘Las Morras’ (the young women) say Mexico’s macho culture is making life unbearable for women across the country.
Earlier this year in May, four young Mexican women ventured through the streets of Mexico City with a hidden camera, determined to film the misogyny that women are forced to deal with every day.
The insults caught on tape – from “Whores!”, to “Hey, dolls!” – come thick and fast. Six months later, the footage is still being shared on social media networks, and has even become a regular feature at feminist conferences. Continue reading “Women expose Violent Macho Culture with Camera Trap”
We invite all civilians to join this march, as the eradication of male violence and violence against women is an issue that concerns the whole of society. # YoVoy7N.
Not one more femicide! We have had enough of male violence and inaction from Justice and Governments!
More than 60 women representing feminist organizations and platforms have been meeting in Madrid on Saturday to advance in the call for the March Against Violence sexist next 7N, from more than 150 groups, associations and groups of the 17 autonomous communities who acceded to the call of the Feminist Movement, which also has the support of political parties and unions. Continue reading “Smash Patriarchy: 150 feminist groups hold Mass Demo Sat 7th”
The Free 