Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Viva.
- Top Story - July 2020
Thelma and Louise: A lesson in girl power.
I don't think I should have to warn about spoilers from one of the most iconic movies in history, especially one that is almost 20 years old, but I will anyway: if you haven't seen Thelma and Louise, you should first go watch it immediately, but second, keep in mind this article does contain spoilers.
Women Supporting Women
I recently started seeing instagram photos which are part of a new challenge for women to show support for each other. So basically what it requires is a female friend to nominate you to post a photo of yourself, which you post, which then shows that they support you. This is indeed a positive social media trend that I believe is needed - especially with our females on social media While it's refreshing to see a positive social media trend among women, it does make you question why women supporting each other is even a challenge to begin with?
Leighton BeckPublished 4 years ago in VivaFemale Fan bases and the Media's Blatant Sexism
“Crazy”, “hormonal”, “dumb”…All words used to describe female fans. These are words used to belittle and bully any fan base that is predominantly made up of girls and/or women. These are descriptions that generations of women had to endure and grit their teeth at, just for being a fan of someone. And you want to know why? Our emotions have always made us easy targets.
Don't Kiss Frogs
It’s easy to get caught up in the magic and nostalgia of old-fashioned fairytales without considering what underlying messages they may convey. Of course parents aren’t telling their kids stories with the intention of giving them an unhealthy idea of relationships. Regardless, this may be what is happening. There is a stereotype of women getting into relationships with toxic men in the hopes of “fixing” them. Many of us saw a great example of this shortly after the release of the film Joker (2019) in the form of a meme, a tweet by @TamiDaBushPilot that read “*watching the Joker movie* (under breath) …I could fix him”. Just like most stereotypes, this was derived from a real-life pattern. This begs the question of just why so many women find themselves drawn to troubled men. For the purposes of this article, we’ll stick with the example of a heterosexual relationship wherein the woman wants to “fix” the man, simply because that’s what the stereotype commonly refers to.
Lucky MoonPublished 4 years ago in VivaMy Life
A Glimpse My sister and I were at my grandmother’s house lying on a mattress that was placed on the floor. We were down on the mattress when uncle Jean walked into the room, inebriated - his breathe, reeking alcohol. I was only eight years old at that time and my sister was just four. He laid on the mattress with us at the bottom where our feet were positioned, with Vaseline in his hands. Curiosity wouldn’t let me be as I stare oddly at what he was about to do with the Vaseline. Few seconds later, I felt a sensation down my feet; uncle Jean was massaging my feet with the Vaseline. I remember him going up my legs and that of my sister’s too, but I can’t remember anything else from those filthy sessions. Years later, Tanya, my sister, came to consciously remember what had happened to her; she remembered being molested.
Dawana DavisPublished 4 years ago in VivaMy Voice Has Power
Why doesn't she eat anything? Is she hurting herself on purpose? She probably just wants attention. I heard it all growing up. When I was 16, I was raped by a stranger. As a 16 year old perfectionist, I blamed myself. I had already struggled with body image issues and eating disorder tendencies so when the assault happened, I spiraled.
Staci DillonPublished 4 years ago in VivaSEXISM in Healthcare: Female Physicians Share Their Stories
The other day while I walked to work, I deliberately slowed my pace to allow time for my left hand to lightly graze the brick wall I was passing. I watched as my fingers ebbed and flowed through every groove and imperfection. There was a familiarity to this. Perhaps it was the texture, perhaps the grit. Either way, memories emanated as I was no stranger to brick walls. Over the years as I pursued a career in medicine, my hands had gotten quite used to dismantling them.
Dr. Megan BabbPublished 4 years ago in VivaSexualising Women’s Bodies in Yoga
The other day I had a nasty encounter with a man in the street. In order to get to my point quicker I’ll keep this part short, but he was incredibly vile. He followed and verbally harassed me in a sexual manner whilst grabbing and rubbing his penis from the outside of his shorts. I said the only thing I could think to say in the moment which was, “You’re a c*nt!”, and tried to move on.
Freya EdmondsonPublished 4 years ago in VivaWhy did you stay silent?
“Why did you stay silent for so many years?” is my favourite question among all the others I often receive. For a long time I claimed it was my fear of him, my family, or what people would say about me, but the truth is that I was only eight years old when it all started.
Jatsue SanvicentePublished 4 years ago in VivaBlindsided by PMDD
Hello my lovely PMDD community. Forgive me for not having written anything new in ages and probably at a very unfortunate time for many as we have all been doing our best to cope not only with the wretched PMDD but also with the total destruction of our world as we knew it. I sincerely hope you are all keeping it together...or if falling apart, loving yourself through it. Who could foresee the shitstorm in which we currently find ourselves?
Cheeky MinxPublished 4 years ago in VivaKegel Exercises: what they are and their benefits
If you have not heard of Kegel exercises, you will surely hear at least hearing the use of Chinese balls to strengthen the pelvic floor. Kegel exercises are a serie of actions developed by Dr. Arnold Kegel in the 1940s for patients with urinary incontinence. Yes, it was a man who created that women strengthen our vagina today.
AstarothkuuPublished 4 years ago in VivaExperience that changed my life
I am 21 years old woman and it is just the perspective of my, young woman, who are not against all men, view. I can start with statistics and all the data around the world about how many, how young girls have been sexually attacked, insulted or just manipulated by opposite of sex. Even though, this time I am going to talk just about my experience.
Mysterious APublished 4 years ago in Viva