Prioritising as a feminist activist

[FlamingoBingo]

On the UK Feminista workshop in Bristol (which had speakers from Women for Women and the White Ribbong Alliance), one of hte attendees said that the reason we 'in the West' aren't doing more for women in these war-torn, developing countries is because we still have huge battles to fight ourselves.

How do you prioritise? Do you have to? If you're going to get into activism, surely you do have to prioritise to a certain extent.

I agree that we can't 'take our eye off the ball' in the UK, and activisim in terms of challenging casual sexism and misogyny does not take much energy and resources.

But how do you decide between campaigning against lap dancing clubs or for more pro-women prostution laws in the UK and campaigning for safer childbirth or against rape as a weapon of war in other countries?

I'm really struggling with this at the moment, as I 'find my feminist feet'. I keep hearing about prostitution in the UK, for example, and getting all fired up about it and wanting to do something about it...and then I do something like watch the documentary about the DR Congo last night, and start feeling that that is so much more important.

[thefinerthingsinlife]

In my eyes it's not a case of which cause is more important, they all are. Whilst we are changing attitudes in the UK we are 'creating' more voices to speak up about the atrocities abroad, the more changes we make here will slow spread IYSWIM.

[FlamingoBingo]

I agree that neither is more important, but if you're going to put energy, time and, possibly money, into a campaign, how do you decide what to do? There are so many issues affecting women around the world.

What I mean is, while I wouldn't stop pulling people up on sexist comments, and signing petitions against things etc. you can't possibly do big, practical campaigning for several different issues so how do you decide?

[thefinerthingsinlife]

I guess you find a cause that really interests you and is something you really want to take on. Not sure though because there is a few things I feel strongly about.

[FlamingoBingo]

Haha. See my point!?

Trouble is, I keep feeling strongly about things! I know I need to decide on one thing and focus energies there...but how!?

[David51]

One obvious point is that it is easier to have an effect campaigning on UK issues because the UK government wants your vote & therefore has to listen to you.

There's not that much you can do about events in Third World countries unless you really do intend to give up a lot of your time to campaigning with organisations like Amnesty International, Acton Aid etc

[FlamingoBingo]

But why did you decide to focus, financially at least, on DV, Rhadegunde, and not on something else?

That's a good point, David...except that if more people did just small things, then things would have more effect, wouldn't they?

[Unrulysun]

If I hadn't had a Caesar with dd I think we'd both have died so I give money to one of the charities which works with women in childbirth in developing countries.

I know what you mean though, it concerns me that I do a lot of talking and not much doing which is why I think I'm going to join the Fawcett Society and hopefully meet more likeminded people. :)