FemiFest

NO wonder they served a lentil bake- it was all mumsnet. They should have sold mooncups and pombears... they'd have made a killing

I went and had an amazing time. Didn't realise there were so many mumsnetters there!

It only struck me today that there was a theme in all the speeches - the blank wall that faces women whenever they try to act or speak. Reports of rape and violence are disbelieved, experiences of a life of prostitution and sexual abuse are ignored, protests raised at the most blatant misogyny, whether in the home or within institutions, go unheard.

I really have to start getting out there and shouting loud. Oh - for those of you who read my earlier post about the Economist's prostitution article - they published part of my letter in this week's edition. A small victory

gargaleis that is such a brilliant idea. I wish I'd gone :(
Next time for sure.

Were any of you the other one with a baby? (I was the other other one)

.....it's 'exert pressure', isn't it? Not assert.

It's a brilliant idea.
A Women's Defence League for such cases is definitely needed.

Briar - if I recall at one point she was talking about the Rotherham case (and so many like it) where girls and women have been failed by the authorities that were supposed to protect them. She talked about the possibility of calling the Women's Defence League who could then jump in and assert pressure and give support.

I really enjoyed Harriet Wistrich's talk too, it's wonderful to know there are such amazing women out there fighting for justice.

interesting re the WI. i am considering joining my local one, but they recently raised money for a local refuge via a burlesque night, which i found - erm - problematic, but maybe i'm being overly picky and i should just jump in?

my (international) company has its own "women's network". they have received a lot of disgruntled comments from male employees and have recently declared themselves open to all sexes

I thought that mn feminists were known for being of the radical variety?

I liked the size of the conference. There were plenty of 'new' faces which I think is important for radical feminism that we aren't just talking to each other. I liked that we all stayed together and didn't miss anything by having co- occurring workshops. All the speakers were excellent and I wouldn't have wanted to miss any.

I definitely agree with GG about us signing up to organisations like the women's institute and forming networks through all professions to support other women in times of need.

Yes sounds great, I'm jealous too!
A women's defense league sounds interesting. What would they do?

Actually considering how small the conference was MN must have made up a reasonable percentage of it! Who knew MN was so radical?

It sounds great and I am jealous of you all. Loving the idea of a network of women in different professions working for each other. At work we have a Women's Forum that does a similar thing (and we have a number of professions at my place of work) and it is great.

That is something MN could begin. How many professions are covered on this site?

I liked Germaine Greer's idea of a women's defense league. There are women in pretty much all professions now, a network of women, prepared to use their skills and expertise for the good of all women can only be a good thing.

It would also probably scare the bejesus out of misogynistic men who do everything they can to keep women at each other's throats.

Yesterday was amazing!

I'm so sad to leave.

I didn't realise other MNers were there, will have to arrange to meet up next time.

Wow, what an incredible weekend! I agree with you SevenZarkSeven about the emotional impact. I actually got home and cried for a while. Some of the talks yesterday brought a lot of stuff up for me about past experiences and I think it will take a while to process.

I also feel a little sad that I live in a place where there aren't any radical feminists (that I know of). I feel quite isolated a lot of the time. So while being surrounded with like-minded people at the weekend was wonderful, I suppose I'm feeling a bit lonely now I'm home.

I guess I have the post-femifest blues.

YY Basil like Chaos says it's gonna be on youtube and their website

Was a really good day, the speakers were all great although the end result is a bit like having been through the wringer emotionally! What to actually do about this stuff is as ever the difficult question.

And it was lovely to meet some other FWR women IRL as ever

It was a great day, really inspiring and some lovely MNers to boot

The speakers were brilliant, so glad I went.

On the way there now, really looking forward to it. I think they're trying to put it on YouTube.

I really envy all of you who are there, hope they YouTube some of it so that we can watch it.

I went to femifest yesterday and it was really good.

Janice Raymond said some very wise words about working with others we disagree with, especially in single issue campaigns.

Femi Otitoju did a great talk on the hidden prejudices we all have.

I disagreed with a couple of things Julie Bindel said but it was interesting to hear about her current work on the history of the gay rights movement.

Today should be even better!

Just can't have a functioning SRY gene.

Thanks whenthered. We have asked all speakers to include ideas about how women can get involved in campaigning and making a difference around the issue they are talking about. There is such a backlash happening at the moment, that we need feminists to fightback, if they can.

Just wanted to reassure women again that you don't have to be a radical feminist to attend, you simply have to be interested in our programme. And you don't have to agree with everything that is being said by the speakers either. You don't have to know anything about radical feminism either to attend.