Just an absolutely amazing day. So well organised. UCL Women's Liberation Special Interest Group and WUPK made a massive contribution to women's liberation with this conference. Providing space for inspiration, education, networking, somewhere for action to develop & grow. Every single woman I spoke to had interesting things to say about so many things important to women. It was a day of connection, love and laughter. We are on the move!
Opening plenary hosted by Prof. Sophie Scott, (I can't wait to read the speeches again) the brilliant Pragna Patel talked about needing a politics of political values rather than getting stuck in the cul-de-sac of identity and spoke of the movement of women fighting & singing for their rights across the globe.
Joanna Cherry QC noted how much more sexist the workplace of politics was than the law and talked about how it was to come out as a lesbian for her & how society has changed in a good way in this regard.
So bloody refreshing to have two politicians (Joan McAlpine in final session) critically examining what the hell is going on & just talking about it with humour, wit and intelligence.
Then Maya who sets out her thinking so clearly and well that you just marvel that there is any fuss about this issue at all. Seems ludicrous but here we are. Her speech can be found in full here.
hiyamaya.net/2020/02/02/womens-liberation-2020-my-speech/amp/?__twitter_impression=true
Then five panel sessions were run, based on the five WPUK 2019 resolutions.
womansplaceuk.org/new-year-resolutions-2019/
Judith Suisse one of the UCL women who made this conference happen chaired the How can we end Violence Against Women panel I went to. Karen Ingala Smith, Nina M and Fiona Broadfoot were panelists. This is the hardest one for me to recall in some ways, (I was right at back & we needed a bigger cooler room as we were jam packed in, some standing, others sat on floor) Nina M (Freedom Programme) discussed domestic violence, how our culture raises boys & talked about games such as Grand Theft Auto. Why are we still asking this question in 2020 says Fiona, (Build A Girl project) who is one of my favourite speakers, so passionate (she rocked the CEASE conference) Karen (NIA) is just so experienced and knowledgeable it was a little sad to hear a touch of pessimism in her conclusion, but no bloody wonder with the counting dead women work she does too. Very awesome Irish women contributed during questions, wish I could say what & who but hopefully more will be written elsewhere about this panel.
After lunch there were 30 workshops & attendees choose two to go to.
I did the women in media with the BBC team, who were all very professional and knowledgeable. It was interesting but not all of it seemed relevant, as I have no desire to be painted & given three minutes to talk on the TV Circus, much preferring writing & social media. But it was good to think about the different formats and the NHS whistle blowing woman in my group definitely needs her story reaching the widest audience possible.
Second workshop for me was Prisons, Frances Crook, Howard League and Jo Phoenix, OU criminologist. Rhona Hotchkiss, Prison Governor was also in room. Frances is indomitable, stop locking women up and get involved with monitoring these (essentially broken) institutions, which can be done several ways. Jo's story about Rita, who smashed her abusers Merc up after he'd had her gang-raped in a hotel was bloody grim.
Closing plenary Julie Bindel, Joan McAlpine and Kiri Tunks. Think I need a coffee break before I write this nextbit up, 😆 and to write feedback about the networking meetings, and just meeting so many marvellous women in one space.
Great choice of venue, accessible to Euston/Kings Cross. In an academic setting, with lovely lecture hall to gather nearly a thousand women in.
Tip top stewarding and security, people always on hand to help.
Worst part of day? Bar running dry!