Category Archives: Midlands East

3 March 2024 18:30 ~ Secularism is a Feminist Issue – Megan Manson National Secular Society – Leicester

Ahead of International Women’s Day, learn why secularism is a crucial ingredient in campaigns for women’s equality.

  • Organiser: Leicester Secular Society
  • Location: Leicester Secular Hall, 75 Humberstone Gate Leicester LE1 1WB
  • Free but please register (*)

Around the world, religious misogyny underpins policies restricting women’s access to education, political participation and wider society. It entrenches sexist notions about ‘modesty’ and women’s bodies. It enables male domination over women and violence against women and girls, including female genital mutilation, forced marriage and honour-based abuse.

Such problems exist in communities in the UK, often enabled by authorities’ deference to religious leaders. Even the established church retains sexist policies. Sensitivities around criticising religion often lead to this important factor of women’s inequality being ignored and waved aside.

In this talk, Megan Manson will highlight how secularism and feminism have long gone hand-in-hand, and how the National Secular Society continues to challenge religious misogyny in the UK and beyond.

  • Megan Manson is head of campaigns at the National Secular Society. For over 150 years, the NSS has been at the forefront of advocating for the separation of religion and state, safeguarding freedom of belief, and promoting a truly inclusive and fair society for all.

(*) Please register at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/secularism-is-a-feminist-issue-megan-manson-tickets-788953750907

 

January 24, 2024

28 September 2018 ~ Seen and Not Heard: Black Women – Black History Month Leicester 2018 – until 25 October 2018

Line-up announced for events taking place this October, exploring representation and free speech with the theme Seen and Not Heard: Black Women.

  • Performances, workshops, films, discussion and exhibitions.
  • Venues across Leicester: Two Queens, African Caribbean Centre, Attenborough Arts Centre, Curve, De Montfort Hall, De Montfort University, Haymarket Theatre, Leicester Central Library, Guildhall, Moat Community College, Newarke Houses Museum, Phoenix, The Venue @ DMU, Sue Townsend Theatre.
  • UK and international contributors; Nora Chipaumire, Tommie Smith, Soul II Soul.
  • Tickets and Information: serendipity-uk.com| 0116 257 7316

Events will be taking place across Leicester this October to celebrate Black History Month. 2018’s theme explores the theme Seen and Not Heard: Black Women, reflecting upon representation and freedom of speech and focusing on female voices from the African and African Caribbean diaspora.

Serendipity, coordinators of Black History Month in Leicester, chose a theme to put women’s voices centre stage. 2018 marks the centenary of the Representation of the People Act (when some women in the UK received the right to vote), alongside anniversaries that might not have received as wide acknowledgement; such as the thirtieth anniversary of Sisters of the Long March touring the UK, a group of women from South Africa who were part of the Anti-Apartheid movement. This year also marks sixty years since the founding of the West Indian Gazette by Claudia Jones.

Black History Month Leicester will launch with a provocative performance by Zimbabwe-born, New York-based artist Nora Chipaumire, with #PUNK *N!gga, a continuation of her work exploring radical artists and protest art. From pop and punk to Congolese rumba, music, dance and stereotypes collide head-on through Nora’s innovative performance art. Nora Chipaumire will be at Two Queens, Leicester, 28-29 September.

Throughout October, there will be workshops, exhibitions, discussion, music, theatre, film, literature and community events. Phoenix Cinema will play host to a selection of independent film, including Winnie (10 October), exploring the life of Winnie Mandela, her radical life both controversial and misunderstood. There will also be a rare chance to see Hallelujah Anyhow (17 October). Retrieved from the BBC/BFI archives, the film, written by Jean ‘Binta’ Breeze, was a landmark for British television. It tells the story of local pastor Adlyn, who meets and falls in love again with her old childhood sweetheart, forcing her to make an agonising choice between her faith, her family and her heart.

Those looking for discussion will have the chance to join Olympic athlete Tommie Smith in conversation. Tommie will be discussing the impact of his Black power salute on the podium at the 1968 Summer Olympics (11 October, The Venue @ DMU).  And everyone is invited to join panellists Michelle Gayle, Karen Salt, Kennetta Perry, Bertha Ochieng and Rachael Young, who will come together for BlackChat: Women Talk, to discuss the representation of Black women in arts, media and politics (18 October, Curve).

BHM Live, a platform for emerging Black artists, showcases performances including K.R.U.M.P Macbeth from Theo Godson and Mia Johnson’s Pink Lemonade, alongside new work from Maria de Luz Ghoumrassi, Beverley Bennett and Elsabet Yonas (4 October, Curve). Former BHM Live alumni Rachael Young will present her new work Nightclubbing, inspired by Grace Jones and Afrofuturism (18 October, Curve). Award-winning writer Camilla Whitehall and Strictly Arts present Freeman, an exploration of the unspoken link between mental health and systematic racism (8-9 October, Curve).

Music fans can enjoy a selection of everything from jazz to neo soul. The line-up includes Mellow Baku’s Booksong Jazz (6 October, Riverside Café); female collective Nerija (12 October, The Venue @ DMU); Motown classics from Get Ready (13 October, Haymarket Theatre); singer and songwriter Decosta Boyce (18 October, The Venue @ DMU); iconic British band Soul II Soul mark 30 years of their debut album at De  Montfort Hall (25 October); a special concert to mark 70 years of Windrush (25 October, Sue Townsend Theatre) and MOBO-nominated jazz vocalist Julia Biel (25 October, The Venue @ DMU).

Community events include an exhibition of the history of Caribbean people in Leicester, events to mark the anniversary of the Empire Windrush, Colonial Countryside talks and Nelson Mandela centenary celebrations.

See also https://www.blackhistorymonth.org.uk/listings/region/east-midlands/leicester/

September 14, 2018

Misogyny to be recognised as a hate crime in North Yorkshire

When Nottinghamshire Police announced in July 2016 that they were to be the first police force in the UK to recognise misogyny as a hate crime – the response the force received was mixed.

Some applauded the move, that in 2016 misogynistic behaviour should be seen as out dated and that to level abuse or harass a woman simply because of her gender should  be viewed as criminal behaviour – exactly as if a person was verbally or physically assaulted due to their race or religion.

But some thought the idea of misogyny being recognised as a hate crime was laughable – that this type of language or behaviour be dismissed as banter, or “it’s only a wolf whistle for goodness sake” and why should this type of protection be given to women? What about men?

Indeed, some of the people I have spoken to about the subject – many of them women, have dismissed the idea entirely and that women should just get over it.

However, when you watch the video that Nottinghamshire Police released alongside their announcement “Because I’m a woman’” I think it puts the matter into perspective. Women talking about daily harassment and physical assaults that they believed they had to live with – it’s just part of life as a woman.

There are many women who have to consider what they wear, what route to walk to work, what time they will be returning home – all of them changing their behaviour and daily routines because of the experiences they have had. And more relative to this debate, they feel that they have no power to challenge or change it.

I’m sure there are women who can deal with this, laugh it off – or challenge back – but as the video shows, there are many who don’t feel confident enough to do so, or that the situation would quickly escalate into something more sinister than ‘banter’ if they did. At times they are intimidated and fearful of just stepping out of their door. This can’t be right or dismissed can it?

Very sadly, we live in a world where the reality is that women have to take extra measures such as carrying rape alarms, downloading protection apps for their phones, avoiding certain routes after certain times and look over their shoulder whilst walking home – all to avoid harassment or potential attack. The feeling of vulnerability is real for some.

The research completed last year on behalf of Action Aid regarding women experiencing harassment in UK cities made stark reading.  The report stated that three quarters of UK women had experienced some form of violence or harassment in cities, with three in seven feeling at risk on city streets and a third feeling at risk when travelling on public transport*

Our own engagement work with the North Yorkshire Youth Commission has highlighted that fear of verbal abuse and sexual harassment is still very much on young women’s minds. Some of the young women who are working with us as part of the commission, were brave enough to share their first hand experiences of being harassed whilst on nights out.**

Yes, the police already have the relevant laws in place to arrest and prosecute perpetrators of harassment or assault, but by including misogyny as a characteristic of hate crime – it gives a message out to women that this type of behaviour is not to be dismissed or trivialised. That they can take confidence in the fact that they will be listened to and taken seriously by the police and that support and advice is available to them. There is something they can do to take back control and there are steps that can be taken to stop this from happening again to them, or to anyone else.

That’s why North Yorkshire Police are currently taking the steps to add misogyny into its hate crime policy. In the coming months we will be looking to educate our front line officers in the recognition of the offence and the support available for victims.

Our job is to keep the public of North Yorkshire safe and to ensure that the vulnerable are identified and protected. This move ensures that a clear message is given to those women who feel fear or intimidation, whatever the reason, that they can come forward and report with confidence – they will be listened to and taken seriously.

Press Release from Deputy Chief Constable Lisa Winward @ https://northyorkshire.police.uk/news/misogyny-recognised-hate-crime/

March 15, 2017

22 October 2016 13:00 ~ Women’s Words: A Celebration Of Black Women Writers – Sojourner’s Sisters – Nottingham

Until 17:00 @ Nottingham Community and Voluntary Service, 7 Mansfield Road, Nottingham NG1 3FB

FREE WOMEN ONLY EVENT. No need to book just turn up on the day.

In celebration of Black History Month, Sojourner’s Sisters in partnership with the WEA Women Leading Learning branch has organised an event to celebrate Black Women Writers.

Speakers:
Dr Deirdre Osborne: Over the past fifteen years Dr Osborne has dedicated her research to Black British writing (prose, poetry and drama). She is committed to advocating this work in all areas of her teaching as a matter of social justice. She co-convenes the cross-disciplinary MA Black British Writing with Professor Joan Anim-Addo. It is a landmark as the first degree in the world that specialises in this field.

Others tbc

https://www.facebook.com/events/683007208523991/

https://www.facebook.com/sojournerssisters/

October 3, 2016

21 September 2016 10:00 ~ Safer for Women event – Nottingham Women’s Centre – Nottingham

Until 2.45pm at Nottingham Trent University

Nottinghamshire is leading the way in its response to everyday misogyny and sexual harassment. Nottinghamshire Police is the only police force in the country to categorise misogyny as a form of hate crime – a decision which has created national and international interest. In addition to this pioneering work, we have active collaborations taking place between the public, private and voluntary sectors which aim to make Nottingham a destination city for women.

The event will bring together representatives from the Police, universities, political parties, councils, businesses and the public and voluntary sectors to showcase the work currently being undertaken in Nottingham and the outcomes so far. We will also be launching the new public awareness campaign, which has been developed in partnership by Nottingham Women’s Centre and Nottinghamshire Police.

The event will also make the case for a wider, national response to these issues; as well as providing an opportunity to consider what more needs to be done to make all public spaces safer for women.

Speakers will include:

  • Sue Fish – Temporary Chief Constable, Nottinghamshire Police
  • Laura Bates – Founder of The Everyday Sexism Project
  • Sam Smethers – Chief Executive of The Fawcett Society

RSVP by Monday 12th September 2016 via the following Eventbrite link: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/safer-for-women-event-tickets-27046403521

August 31, 2016