Feminist
Fightback
Feminist Fightback is a conference for feminist activists, which will be held on Saturday 21 October at the
School of Oriental and African Studies in central London.
The conference will include a variety of speakers, discussion and activist training workshops on themes
including sexual liberation, international solidarity and women's struggles as workers. Planned sessions
include:
• Pornography, objectification and sexual freedom
• Equal pay, low pay and workers' struggle
• Prostitutes: workers or victims?
• The fight for abortion rights - planning actions for the next year
• Building campaigning women's groups
• Men's role in the fight against sexism
• Against war, against theocracy - Iranian women fight back
Feminist Fightback is free and open to all, including men; the conference will have a particularly focus on
women activists in the trade union and student movements. The agenda is a work in progress - check back
soon for updates.
For more info please see our website www.fightback.org.uk or email team@fightback.org.uk
FIGHT BACK FOR WOMEN'S LIBERATION
Statement in support of Feminist Fightback conference
Discrimination and exploitation at work, unequal pay, domestic violence, sexual objectification, denial of
reproductive rights, rape, racism, war, poverty and religious fundamentalism... The fight for women’s
liberation has not yet been won. Women’s rights are everywhere under attack, and yet all over the world
women are at the forefront of some of the most inspiring struggles for freedom, equality and social justice - as
women’s rights campaigners, as community activists and as workers.
Despite our continued desire for freedom and equality, too many women today feel that feminism doesn’t
speak to them.
Too many people think that feminism is about being made to feel guilty for what we do with our bodies or
how we express our sexuality; about a group of ‘experts’ telling other women how to live; or about a handful
of rich and powerful women getting to ‘the top’. We think feminism is about ordinary women coming together
to challenge sexism in their own lives, and to support women around the world demanding their rights. (PTO)
We want a feminism that fights. A women’s movement that is about activism, not just talk; about grassroots
campaigning, not just lobbying; about politics, not just about lifestyle choices; and about liberation for all, not
just equality for a privileged few.
The Feminist Fightback conference aims to empower women of all ages to fight back against oppression and
exploitation. It is a one day event where women can debate the issues which affect their lives, share their
experiences, and, most importantly, develop practical ways in which they can turn feminism into activism.
Feminist Fightback is open to all. Whether you want to share your experiences and ideas as an activist, debate
with us about how to end oppression, or just find out more about what feminism means - come and get angry,
come and get active, come and help us change the world!
Supporting individuals include:
Debbie Hollingsworth - Ruskin College students' union women's officer
Rachael Ferguson - Sussex University women's officer
Petra Urwin - SOAS Women's Society president
Teodora Todorova - Nottingham University women's officer
Vicki Ward - University of Wales Lampeter women's officer (Swyddog Merched)
Sofie Buckland - National Union of Students national executive committee
Janine Booth - Hackney TUC president
Kate Ahrens - Leicester Health Unison (pc)
Camila Bassi - Sheffield Hallam University UCU
Beth Aze - Salford Unison
Faz Velmi - Battersea & Wandsworth Trades Council (pc)
Houzan Mahmoud - Organisation of Women's Freedom in Iraq (UK)
Surma Hamid - London Metropolitan University
Louise Gold - Sheffield University, NUS Women's Committee 2004-6
Laura Sterry - Nottingham University
Laura Schwartz - University of East London
Jo Read - NUS Women's Campaign steering committee
Mary Partington - Education Not For Sale Women
Maddy Evans - Essex University People & Planet
Anna Wolmuth - Oxford University People & Planet
Ruth Cashman - Newcastle University
Ann Marie O'Reilly - People and Planet Steering committee
Charlynne Pullen - Access and Academic Affairs Sabbatical Officer, Oxford University Student Union 2005
Louise McMullen - Amicus
Prof. Barbara Taylor - University of East London
Dr. Amrit Wilson - London Metropolitian University
Pauline Bradley - Shop Steward, West Dunbartonshire Unison Scotland
Hannah Roe - Co-Chair of Women's Campaign, Oxford University
Prof. Susie Orbach - London School of Economics, author of 'Fat is a Feminist Issue'
Marsha-Jane Thompson - London Unison Young Members' Convenor
Darcy Leigh - Edinburgh University
Sitara Amin Tilly - Alexandra Park Sixth Form, London
Maria Exall - Communication Workers' Union national executive committee
Supporting organisations:
Education Not for Sale Women - www.socialistfeminist.org.uk
LRC Socialist Youth Network
Organisation of Women's Freedom in Iraq (UK)
No Borders Network
Finsbury Park RMT
TGWU South London Voluntary Branch
Please add your or your group's name to the statement by emailing team@fightback.org.uk