Filia 2025

[MaggieBsBoat]

Hi there!
I‘m thinking of attending. I’ll be coming over from Europe for it. Is anyone here going? I’ll be alone and feel like it would be good to meet others who are going if you don’t mind? Anyone?

The conference will be massive and very friendly. If you don't manage to find people to meet up before you will find your people there...

I went alone to Cardiff and am very tempted for this one. I had a great time and met some fantastic women who have become friends. Do it!

Great idea! A meeting place for fellow Mumsnetters sound fun (I have also a ticket including for the party!).

This will be my 3rd FiLiA and I can't wait. This time, I'll be meeting up with friends but the first time I went on my own. I was quite anxious, (I'm autistic so don't do well in busy, noisy situations or at making small talk) but everyone was very friendly and I had a great time.

There will definitely be Mumsnetters there.

This is my first time. Hoping to make some new friends!

Here's the link:
FiLiA Conference 2025 — FiLiA
It's going to be in Brighton

You can click on SUPPORT US and choose 'solidarity ticket' to make a contribution if you are in a position to help someone who couldn't afford to attend the conference otherwise.

Yes. I found that a bit off-putting honestly, though there should not be “no-go zones” for women’s rights conferences anywhere in the UK. I imagine there might be some unpleasant men around making things difficult for women, but I will be going regardless.

I seem to remember there was a meet up aspect arranged at Glasgow but I'm hazy sorry OP. I think it was something on the app, a designated time and room maybe on the first day?

They are really friendly so you could email them and ask, they might take a while to reply but they always do.

I'm a bit wary of it being Brighton too. I get the argument of go where you are most needed but it feels a bit antagonistic. We stressed about accommodation bookings too in case a private provider cancelled on us. Which is a shame because there are loads of attractive b&bs and rentals.

Edited to add - I'm attending with a couple of other people rather than alone but happy to meet up too.

Also OP, I wasn't expecting there to be such a great book shop / tshirts etc but this year I am prepared and will make sure I have some spare money! A lot of the speakers had books available iirc.

LOTS of Mumsnetters will be there :-)

Once you have your FiLiA & you download the Cvent ap there is a chat/messaging facility on there and you can start up a MN MEET UP chat if there isn't one on there already.

I think there is a lesbian breakfast organised for the Saturday & a Bisexual Womens meet up on the Friday.

A Mumsnet breakfast would be nice.

There’s a lesbian social on the Friday too

Only a few days to go now!

The great feminist market is real & its at FiLiA!

There is a Mumsnet FWR chat to coordinate meet-ups at FiliA this weekend in the discussion part of the App for those attending. Don’t all rush at once to chat ………

Ah I’d love to have known about this! I should have kept more of an eye on the ball. I went, second time at filia, how did everyone find it?

All the FiLiA arranged sessions were moving and motivating for me. I met some amazing women and I’m already looking forward to meeting them again in Blackpool.

I am in awe at the work of so many women and angry at so much suffering. In particular:

Spycops (please read their book and watch the ITV drama and be aware of the inquiry - this is state sponsored rape in the UK and a national disgrace).

VAWG is what we should be united against and was the central theme. I am in awe of the women I listened to from I am Sarah, those imprisoned and attacked and forced to flee to other campaigners who make such a difference. Those listed for the Emma Humphries award are an example to us all. As are Julie Bindel, Harriet Wistrich, Karen Ingala- Smith, FWS, Jo Phoenix and so so many more for not just their work but their humour too.

just thank you to everyone and to FiLiA for organising. To all detractors- shame on you!

The Toxic Town talk covered something I knew nothing about and was horrified by
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvgn2lrn627o.amp

Consciousness raising at work - that's what I appreciate the most, and the opportunity given to women to speak and be listened to. Likewise the 3 surrogate mothers who spoke were incredibly impressive. I respect academia but can get a bit lost in those talks, it's the experiences women share that stay with me.

Thank you @Scout2016as there were so many great discussions I missed. I agree listening to women speak of their experiences is so moving.

I agree @Hermiaxx I need to sit and pool leaflets etc with the other attendees I know who went to different talks.

https://stopsurrogacynowuk.org/ are the organisation who ran the second talk I mentioned.

If you missed the Spycops discussion I recommend this link

https://www.spycops.co.uk/

I need to find the petition and then do an AIBU re cops should be banned from having sex with targets while on the job.
I was gobsmacked when I heard that they would have got paid overtime for staying over with someone they were having a fake relationship with

I signed the petition today - I’d post a link but not sure if it’s allowed?

I put ‘skycops petition’ into Google search and it was the first hit!

@lanadelgreyI agree skycops needs its own thread!