activism
Feminist activists are not deterred by the daunting statistics so much as they're fueled by them.
Good To Be Good
What began as an informal initiative of friends donating essential goods for local shelters in lieu of birthday and Christmas gifts, soon transformed into my greatest accomplishment. Our grassroots non-profit has evolved into a platform where our “small yet mighty” acts of kindness can be turned into sustainable action; our personal responsibility turned into collective impact; and where our love for humanity is expressed practically and with empowerment by supporting women and those who need it the most.
Char San PedroPublished 4 days ago in Viva
#NotSilentUnderMyWatch
So Steve still hasn't gotten back to me and it has been almost two weeks since the realization sank in that he took advantage of me and my body when I was an undergraduate at my alma mater and since I tried contacting him six or seven times to address this situation and as I had a few questions for him. His silence is an admission of guilt. I noticed that his FB profile picture had been changed and a few pictures of his family had been taken down. Yet, he still has yet to offer a formal apology or even to acknowledge this situation.
How ‘We’, The People, can make India, a better place for every woman around!
It’s been 7 years since the inhuman atrocities in Nirbhaya case stunned the entire nation. Well, 7 years later, the situation is more or less same.
What I Was Most Afraid Of This Year
It wasn't the virus or the police. I have been afraid to take my stand. During the upheaval that has saturated most of this year, I have often noticed my fears of judgement, fears of saying, writing, or doing the wrong thing. How do I voice my piece? What do I need to say? Is what I write valuable? Who do I quote? What if I say it wrong? I don’t know what to say… What if I’m misunderstood?
Emily BoyerPublished 10 days ago in VivaEven if Sexism Feels Good, It Does More Harm Than Good
Sexism is such a significant issue that even Europe’s leading human rights organization, the Council of Europe had to come together to give a universal definition for the term. The organization has officially recognized that sexism is “widespread and prevalent in all sectors and all societies.”
Jyoti MeenaPublished 11 days ago in Viva
Women Have Changed Their Own Dynamics
When you look back at all the changes that women have made, we cannot be anything but proud of our progression in so many areas. I want to say first that I’m an African American woman who is now a senior. I served in the military and grew up in Harlem. The statement above pertains to all women of every color, but for African American women it has been a labor and it still is.
Anita PowellPublished 13 days ago in Viva
No more shame
I’ve had a lot of time on my hands to think lately and, I think back to times when I shared my life experience with what I thought were “safe” people. When it comes to the subject of rape, it’s interesting how when it is something that is not controlled by the victim; people always lay blame on the victim, for putting themselves in dangerous situations, by, drinking too much, or, wearing a revealing outfit when in fact most of the time it has nothing to do with that. It has to do with another persons sense of entitlement to their fellow humans, body. It is the culture our society creates that somehow, if you wear the right clothing, don’t drink, go to church, do ABC, you should be ok. It’s deplorable. I remember all the times after mine how I talked myself into believing it was consensual because I was too terrified to face the truth. The truth being that my first time having sex, was not consensual, I said no, several times. The first boyfriend I ever had, raped me the first time I ever had sex. It is something that has been engrained in my mind for nearly a decade. You can do everything right, you can say no, you can try to be in control but when fight or flight hits... you can’t control how your body will react, you float off into the deepest parts of your mind and disappear. It’s interesting because a lot of my old friends know this guy, they hangout with him, shit, their probably friends with his sleazy ass. I just know it’s been weighing on my mind quite a bit lately, and, I have nothing to be ashamed of. Nor should any other victim of rape. No is no, no matter what. If you know who I’m talking about, just be weary because he’s a disgusting human being, and, also stalked me for 2 years after we broke up, we only dated 6 months. Isn’t it crazy ? The lies we tell our minds because we’re just too ashamed to admit the truth because the truth is just too much to face sometimes. It’s been 9 years, and yet there are days where I’m so disgusted with my own body that I can’t get out of bed because of this fleeting moment in my life that was stolen from me. Yet, this man probably never even has a second thought of me.
Juli CofresiPublished 28 days ago in Viva
The #MeToo movement is no longer about the victims
In 2017, the MeToo movement promised something that many victims of sexual assault could never have dreamed of. After centuries of silencing women’s voices and scoffing at their stories, one hashtag suddenly became a beacon of hope for survivors around the world – promising real change to the way we regard sexual assault allegations, and offering a community they could seek refuge in.
Iris EspanenzaPublished 29 days ago in VivaHow Tribal Women Are Still Being Exploited in India
The topic of tribal women is often ignored while talking about discrimination faced by marginalized women, despite them being an equal victim of the system. Moreover, tribal women’s resistance has generally occurred quite autonomously from urban feminist movements.
Jyoti MeenaPublished about a month ago in Viva
Feminist Manifesto
When I graduated from Stanford University, I was equipped with feminist theories from renowned feminists and allies such as Audre Lorde, Belle Hooks and Adrienne Rich. Never was I prepared for the real world - the real world where women's rights issues and deeply entrenched structural injustices clash, targeting vulnerable women like myself because of our identities.
Sexual Harassment and the consequences of a society based on male dominance.
For many women the ability to advance their career, get a better grade in school, get out of a speeding ticket, provide for your children when you are a single mother; may unfortunately put them in a place to use their sexuality to succeed. For some men all women are an easy target. Especially vulnerable, desperate women.
Sheri YarbroughPublished 2 months ago in Viva
5 Interesting Things You Should Know About Aisha Yesufu.
Who really is this brave woman? If you have been keeping up with the news about the #EndSars movement, a movement which has drawn attention to the brutality and harassment of Nigerian people by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), then even if the name Aisha Yesufu isn’t familiar to you, her picture is.
Jide OkonjoPublished 3 months ago in Viva
