Activism
The Bristol Feminist Network believes in activism and seeks to support actions which promote gender equality. Over the years we have marched, picketed, lobbied, subverted and protested, have organised workshops, vigils, debates, discussions film nights, club nights, quiz nights, live performance and book groups in Bristol - over 80 events in 4 years!
Many of these actions are awareness raising activities to draw attention to sexism in our society and suggest ways of combating them, to raise understanding about equality issues and to promote local support services. Some events are celebrations of women in the arts and creative promotions of equality messages.
A few of BFN's activities are listed below, many of which are on-going and would welcome your participation. Please contact us to get involved as a volunteer or to tell us about other local projects or campaigns promoting gender equality.
Upcoming actions are also listed on our EVENTS PAGE. You can subscribe to updates on our activist emailing list.
Representations of Women in the Media
The Representations of Women in the Media project (“Reps” to its friends) is a grassroots volunteer-led research project which investigates how women are represented, misrepresented and not represented at all in the media. Click here for more details or visit their website at www.rowitm.org.
Protest against Hooters
Many people in Bristol object to Hooters and are protesting against the business, the lease by M&S and the licence granted by the Council. Hooters is an American sports style "breastaurant" which requires female staff to dress in a revealing uniform. More details on the campaign in Bristol here.
Reclaim the Night
Reclaim the Night is an international movement against sexual violence. In Bristol supporters organise vigils to remember those affected by sexual violence and march to demonstrate our right to walk the streets at night. The campaign focuses on three actions: support for victim services, increase rape conviction rates and better sex and relationships education. For more details of RTN2011 on 18th Nov, go to our main RTN page.
Lobbying
Influencing decision-makers through lobbying and advocacy is an important form of activism. It can take the form of letter writing, petitioning, participating in consultations and generally leaning on the people or groups who hold the power to make legal and political changes. For more details about lobbying your local MP, council or media click here.
Public art project
BFN exhibits public art to illustrate the need to give special attention to violence against women and to counter some of the myths and excuses around domestic violence. In 2009 Bristol marked International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women (25th November) with a week of events. The artwork was exhibited on the Jamiaca Street wall, one of the People's republic of Stokes Croft's public spaces. More details can be found here.
Volunteering
Big Society? We were volunteering, supporting and organising way before Cameron's government tried to capitalise on our efforts. Tragically it is families, women and the women's sector who will be most affected by the global economic crisis. Even essential services such as Rape Crisis and Women's Aid are under huge pressure and need support more than ever
Please click through to read appeals for local volunteers and lend your time to women's organisations and projects.
Please click through to read appeals for local volunteers and lend your time to women's organisations and projects.
Donations
So many good causes rely on donations in order to provide services and support to people in need. Their funding is often precarious and they are unable to secure income for more than two or three years at a time. Several local groups are appealing for donations of funds, good or time. You can find more details here.
To support the work of the Bristol Feminist Network, which is totally volunteer led with no regular income or funding arrangements, please donate via below:
To support the work of the Bristol Feminist Network, which is totally volunteer led with no regular income or funding arrangements, please donate via below:
One Click Activism
Teaching of positive body image: Petition the Prime Minister to add a new compulsory hour per year to the National Curriculum that will seek to alleviate the rising body image problems in the UK’s 12-20 year olds. Sign the petition here.
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| Anonymity for Rape Defendants: Support reporting of rape and increased rape convictions by objecting to the government's proposal to extend anonymity to rape defendants. Sign the petition here.
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