Top Stories
Stories in Viva that you’ll love, handpicked by our team.
The Mysterious Genital Sculptures That Adorn Britain's Churches
Sheela Na Gigs are seemingly erotic stone carvings of female figures predominately found in Romanesque churches. What's special about them? Well these sculptures consist of an old disproportionate woman squatting and pulling apart her vulva, a fairly strange thing to find in a church.
Kamna KirtiPublished 2 years ago in VivaJellybean
“I’ll start my diet on Monday” “I’ll lose the weight next year, I promise” “Once I lose this weight my life will be so much better”. I tell myself these small platitudes and for the briefest of moments, I truly believe them. I think I want to believe them because we’re so conditioned to believe that our worth is tied to our outward beauty.
Miranda Mariana MaloyPublished 2 years ago in VivaI Sparkled on My Own Terms
It was my wedding reception. Let me put this into context for my non-Indian readers. An Indian wedding reception usually happens a day after the wedding. It is an occasion when all friends and family, primarily on the groom’s side, come laden with gifts and good wishes for the newlywed pair. In exchange, the guests have a delectable feast.
Rhea DyutiPublished 2 years ago in VivaMy Essence As Woman Is Freedom
We live in a time of extractive patterns. Patterns where the dysfunctions of our relations, with other people and the planet, have become so normalized that we don't even remember what healthy even looks like. Patterns where we run towards what sparkles even faster than we run away from the pain behind us.
Kaia Maeve TingleyPublished 2 years ago in VivaWe, Women
Friday, 11:43pm We stumble out of bars, laughing. The bouncers tossing us out glare at us until we stumble down to the streets. We try to gain composure momentarily. Once the doors slam shut, however, we flip off the bars and burst out laughing once again. Tears streaming down our faces, we tell one another not to jump up onto the stages next time.
Shelby LarsenPublished 2 years ago in VivaNever Underestimate the Power of a Woman’s Voice.
What makes a woman’s voice sound empowered and less like a typical “Karen” wanting to speak with the manager? I’ve been getting in trouble lately with my teenage son for emailing his teachers and administrators, even his basketball coach and director for things I am noticing that don’t sit well with me.
Melissa SteussyPublished 2 years ago in VivaThe Venus Effect
Our world has been turned upside down in the last 20 months or so, in no uncertain terms. We have been blindsided by unexpected events, and felt more collective fear and disempowerment than we have in a long long time. Perhaps in our entire lives. It has not been easy, nor gentle, for we’ve been swept up in a maelstrom of angst in unprecedented ways. And yet, with all the death, destruction and confusion; with all the unceremonious stripping away of dignity, autonomy and deeply held value systems…. something deep in our hearts and souls is galvanizing, even as the body and mind takes shelter.
Julie TaraPublished 2 years ago in VivaTo the Men Giving Me Fitness and Health Advice
First, let me just start by saying thank you to all the men who give me unsolicited help on health and fitness. You know who you are. You’re always present, at every gym. Sometimes, at workplaces. You may be a personal trainer, or a random gym goer.
Taru Anniina LiikanenPublished 2 years ago in VivaLadies, Use Your Period as Your Superpower.
Many women dread that time of the month. Many women constantly complain about cramps and pains. Many women curse elaborately.
Katarzyna PortkaPublished 2 years ago in VivaAn Open Letter to Every Man Who Dislikes the Word 'Feminism'
Often when I have a conversation with a man about feminism, I come across a familiar argument - why must you call it 'feminism'? Isn't that sexist in the opposite way? Why can't you just call it 'equality'?
Aditi BalajiPublished 2 years ago in Viva“No means no”— unless you’re speaking to a film producer, your boss, your classmate, the President…
(TW: sexual assault and harassment, the Weinstein case, violence.) Today, I visited a church. They are pretty peaceful places, and I enjoy walking around the graves, picking out the deceased’s names and trying to remember them all. This particular church is situated on a busy stretch of road near where I live, opposite two pubs and a bus-stop often used by students — so it’s not unusual for this place to attract nosy people like me who want to look around.
Lauren EntwistlePublished 3 years ago in VivaOff the Hook
My eyes focused on the illustration of the fallopian tubes as Dr. Marquez fingered me with two digits and a pencil light. Poking and prodding at my cervix, I spread my thighs like I was back at cheerleading practice warming up for a jump sequence. I wondered what she might find down there…a rash? A tear? Old remains of a cheap tampon? In all honesty, I wouldn’t be surprised. In fact, I’d be thrilled to know it was my own stinginess which rendered sex impossible, and not the Judas-level betrayal of my vagina. I needed an answer, some form of explanation as to why my butterfly was dryer than the charcoal-colored dust framing my ceiling fan. Not only for me, but for my boyfriend playing Pokémon in the waiting room.
Heather CunninghamPublished 3 years ago in Viva