Feminist Webs » Body Image

Exploring Gender through the Arts

amelia — Thu, 20 May 2010 11:55:23 +0000

Exploring Gender through the Arts:

Re-looking at the Sci:dentity Project
In 2006, an arts project funded by the Wellcome Trust asked the question ‘What is the Science of Sex &
Gender?’ with 18 young transgender people, resulting in a documentary film. With the help of an additional
grant, this series of screenings of a new cut with additional footage includes a Q&A session with original
participants.
The ‘second edition’ Sci:dentity film footage contributes to discussion and debate around identity, specifically
gendered and sexed identity. A series of vignettes incorporates the film and performance project work we did
with the group of young trans people and the interviews they carried out with ‘medical experts’ such as
endocrinologist, Professor Andrew Levy (University of Bristol).
The film footage will be screened with Question &
Answer sessions in June 2010 with project staff and
some of the young people who participated in the original
project in 2006.

Community Researchers on Gender and Inclusion

amelia — Thu, 06 May 2010 10:17:41 +0000

Community Researchers on Gender and Inclusion

training Salford local people in participatory research methods and gender equality

This project, funded by the Transformation Fund, is being run in Salford in partnership with Community Pride Unit, Take Part Pathfinders, Salford City Council and Manchester Metropolitan University. The training is an informal education project, looking at issues around gender and inclusion, aimed at local women and men interested in working with people from different groups in their areas, and who want to promote community inclusion and participation.

Woman’s Hour Jenni reads our new publication

amelia — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 09:37:59 +0000

Jenni Murray of Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour recently picked up one of our new postfeminist booklets at the Annual Brook Conference Last month. Here she is pictured having a look through it. The booklet comprises of over 138 contributions of postcards from young women who explored what body image means to them, what young women want and need today and what feminism means to young women now. Copied can be ordered directly from us via feministwebs [at] yahoo [dot] co [dot] uk

SICK:PRIMARK have been selling padded bikinis for seven-year-olds

amelia — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 10:32:10 +0000

“No wonder girls are confused about their bodies and self image.”

The discount fashion chain began clearing the shelves of the £4 bikini sets after shocked parents slammed the ’sexy’ design.

The firm also apologised to angry parents

Sexualised … bikini pads???

The sale has been branded “disgraceful”

“Premature sexualisation and commercialisation of childhood”

“A classic example today where Primark are apparently pushing padded bras on seven-year-olds, which I think is completely disgraceful.”

“Commercialisation and sexualisation of our children but companies should stop doing it, they should take some responsibility.”

Primark was last night accused of encouraging paedophilia by selling the padded bikinis for girls.

Child protection agencies had called on the bargain clothes chain to take them off shelves.

Primark store

They said little girls wearing them would be sexualised and made attractive to predatory perverts.

In a statement today, a Primark spokesman said: “Primark has taken note of the concern this morning regarding the sale of certain bikini tops for girls, a product line that sells in relatively small quantities.

“The company has stopped the sale of this product line with immediate effect. Primark will donate all the profits made from this product line to a children’s charity, and apologises to customers for any offence caused.”

Child protection consultant Shy Keenan, of the Phoenix Chief Advocates, yesterday urged mums and dads to boycott Primark.

She said: “It never fails to amaze me just how many High Street household names are now prepared to exploit the disgusting ‘paedophile pound’.”

The bikini sets, sold alongside normal costumes in the seven to eight-year-old range, come in candy pink with gold stars or black with white polka dots.

The halterneck tops – a favourite style of glamour girl Jordan – are low cut to expose flesh.

But Jenny Stallard, deputy editor of Practical Parenting and Pregnancy magazine, said: “A padded bikini for seven-year-olds is too much at too young an age.

“No wonder girls are confused about their bodies and self image.”

Ms Keenan added: “You should never sexualise children.

“Kids may be learning how to look sexy in an adult way but no one is teaching them what to do if they receive unwelcome robust adult attention.”

Mum-of-three Siobhan Freegard, founder of parenting website Netmums, called the tops “horrid”.

She added: “This is wrong in so many ways.”

Fashion lecturer Dave Morris, of De Montfort University, said: “It seems curious a High Street store is allowed to promote a ’sexy’ bikini for seven-year-olds.”

Too sexy for prison: Officer who claims she was hounded out of job after inmates paid her compliments

amelia — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 16:07:03 +0000

A prison officer claims she was hounded out of her job by repeated criticism for being ‘too sexy’ and ‘glammed up’.

Amitjo Kajla, 22, is demanding compensation