Girls Are Best

Girls are Best by Sandi Toksvig

This book is funny, honest and down-right necessary. Girls aren’t the best at everything... HOWEVER, neither are men... which is sometimes forgotten. Women are rarely remembered for the great things they have contributed to societies, this is why a book like this is so useful. Let’s not forget those wonderful women who were the best at what they did and what they do and who shoudln’t be overshadowed by their male counterparts.

I’ve picked out of a few of my favourite bits from the book, enjoy!

1.     The Triplewart Seadevil is great. Well, if you’re a girl. It’s a kind of fish. At least the females look like a fish. The boys are so small they don’t look like anything mych. They don’t even have a digestive system. The only way for a boy Triplewart to survive is by finding a girl and clinging onto her for the rest of his life. It’s a bit like a boyfriend who keep saying’ ‘I’ll die if you leave me’ – exepct in this case, of course, it’s true.

2.     Women fighters in history: Amazons, female bodyguards of the kings of Persia, the kings of Kandy in Sri Lanka (and Gadaffi).

3.     The Mercury 13: in 1958 the Americans first began to research putting a man into space. Not just a man actually. 24 women pilots were tested and 13 were chosen to become astronauts in the Mercury space programme. Suddenly, in 1961, NASA cancelled the women’s space programme. When asked why, they said it was because the women had never gone through the jet-aircraft system. And they weren’t allowed to until 1973...

4.    Women inventors: Ada Augusta Lovelace – the groundwork for developing the computer, Phyllis Pearsall – the A-Z maps, Stephanie Kwolek – Kevlar, used in bullet-proof vests and car tyres, Gertrude B. Elion – the first treatment for leukaemia, drugs for gout, malaria, meningitis and bacterial infections.

5.     Great women writers: Jane Austen, Virginia Woolf, Li Qingzhao, Sappho, Al-Khansa, Huo Xuan Huong, Mary Shelley

6.     Matriarchy in the animal kingdom: elephants, ants, snakes, killer whales, lions, spotted hyenas

7.     ‘Funny’ fact: The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews is one of the world’s oldest golf clubs. Women are not allowed to be member s. Prince Andrew is the captain of the R&A. He got the job because he is the second son of the Queen of England, yet he is the captain of a club that she is not allowed to join.

8.     Women in 21^st century business: Dame Clara Furse is the Chief Exectuive of the London Stock Exchangee. Indra Nooyi is the chairman and CEO of PepsiCo. Margaret Whiteman is Chief Executive and President of eBay.

S

Gandhi's Dream

India of My Dreams Mahatma Gandhi 


"I shall work for an India, in which the poorest shall feel that it is their country in whose making they have an effective voice; an India in which there shall be no high class and low class of people; an India in which all communities shall live in perfect harmony. There can be no room in such an India for the curse of untouchability or the curse of the intoxicating drinks and drugs. Women will enjoy the same rights as men. Since we shall be at peace with all the rest of the world, neither exploiting, nor being exploited, we should have the smallest army imaginable. This is the India of my dreams."

The reality:


India has a huge growing divide between rich and poor: economic growth is 8.1% and is projected to rise as high as 10% next year and The collective wealth of India's 311 billionaires jumped 71% in the last year YET the “average” income in some states is considerably below the national rural poverty line of $650 a year... 
According to a UN Development Report, inequality in India has grown faster in the last 15 years than in the last 50 years.
The 'untouchables' still very much exist even thought it is a taboo subject, people from the lowest caste in the system will be rejected and will find it hard to improve their socio-economic conditions.
There are 50 million women missing (eliminated) in India through practices like female feticide, infanticide, intentional starvation of girls, and dowry related murders.
There are ongoing and worsening tensions between the different religions in India, particularly between Hindus and Muslims.
The Indian Army is the world's largest standing volunteer army.


This is India's reality.


I would like to point out that even though this blog post has put a negative spin on India's situation India also has so much to offer including exciting business opportunities so watch this space.. a more positive post shall follow.


S

Boris Snubs London's Feminists

You could hear it throughout the great hall of Friends House last night, a persistent murmur of where's Boris? Why isn't he here to answer our questions? What's his excuse?


The grand finale of Fem 11, organised by UK Feminista was a question and answer session to the 3 candidates standing for Mayor of London next May. The panel comprised of Ken Livingston (Labour), Brian Paddick, Liberal Democrats, and Natalie Bennett, Chair of Green Party Women (for Jenny Jones) and it was chaired by Samira Ahmed, broadcaster.


We, the 1000 odd feminists (women and men!) wanted to hear from the candidates what they were going to do regarding women's rights in London.
Would funding be continued for Rape Crisis Centres?
Would facilities like Surestart be kept in place?
What would be done to ensure our safety on public transport at night?
Why were more women cyclists dying a year than men and what could be done to provide safer cycling routes?


Some good answers were provided:
Rape Crisis Centres would be core-funded so they would never be subject to bidding for funding and insecurity and the fact they exist would be better communicated to rape victims so that they could be used efficiently. 
Funding for Sure Start would be increased and more services similar to that would be created. 
Brian Paddick would introduce a stop on demand bus service at night so people can get off closer to their homes.
Wider and more noticeable cycle lanes, for them to be situated somewhere on the road which doesn't leave them in harms way (away from left turns) would be built. 


Bringing these 3 candidates together was the feminist cause, a will to demonstrate their passion for women's issues in London. Again, my question is: Where were you Boris, and why don't you care?


A excerpt from Samira's Ahmed blog on Boris' no show: 


"It’s become clear that Johnson is a terrific public performer except in certain situations, which he will always avoid. (Like a feminist conference). While there was plenty of humour and banter at Fem11, Johnson would have been well out of his comfort zone. To be fair the strongly anti-Tory mood among most of the conference participants makes the decision to stay away perfectly logical, and yet it’s hard to think of anyone else in the Tory party, who has the ability to take on such a challenge."




S

The 'F' Word (Fem 11)

Yesterday I went to my first FEMINIST conference. and it was BRILLIANT.


It started off with a great opening speech by Sandi Toskvig who used humour and illustrations to explain the gender inequity we still face. "Be bold when you declare 'I am a feminist"


There were over 1000 women and men there and the atmosphere was bubbling with passionate people who want to make a difference to the feminist movement.


The first talk:  Abortion Rights: Rebecca Mordan presents, “Reproductive Rights – The Most Important Issue In The World Ever!” 


I am fervently pro-choice. We MUST, absolutely MUST have the right to choose what we do with OUR bodies. Our bodies belong to us, not men, not society and certainly not the governments who criminalise abortions. You may think we have already achieved our goals but there's a fear of regression due to LIFE groups led by women like Nadine Dorries and in N.Ireland which is supposed to be under UK Jurisdiction it is regarded illegal to have an abortion.


FACT: 1 in 3 women have abortions in the UK - that's a quite a significant amount of women who have made perfectly sane decisions and their choice should be respected. 
FACT: 200 women die a DAY due to unsafe abortions. To protect our women is to legalise abortions.


We must keep fighting and putting pressure on the government to at least keep our abortion rights, if not improve them and introduce the 'right to request' like in Spain or Puerto Rico.
We must end the culture of shame that is attached to having an abortion, break the taboos, open up a dialogue and for women not to feel ashamed of making the right choice for them.
"Sexual education is so necessary and important to change taboos on abortion and to provide children with the knowledge to make the right decisions."




The second talk: White Ribbon Campaign: “Why aren’t you doing more?” Engaging Men in Feminism. 


How to engage men in feminism? Such a tough question with no simple answer. I think all men should be feminists, it liberates them as well as us but the majority are scared of the F word and don't want to associate themselves with a women's movement. 
To include men in our movement would work in everyones favour, it would break the gender norms that are so indoctrinated in our society. It would provide space for men to exercise their masculinity in the way they desire. 
Feminism and to live in a feminist society is beneficial to us all - it has a positive impact on social, economic and political spheres.


"Feminism isn't just for women- it's a human rights issue."

Question time debate with Shami Chakrabarti, Director, Liberty, Bea Campbell, writer & campaigner, Zoe Williams, the Guardian, Carlene Firmin, writer, Matt McCormack Evans, Anti-Porn Men Project and chaired by Cllr Rania Khan, Tower Hamlets.
Some of my favourite quotes from QT:


ZW: 'Problem with the current government isn't that they're not women, it's that they're Tories'
BC: 'We need to reach point where no-one is scared of the 'F' word'
BC: 'When Murdoch introduced page 3 in 1970s he opened up the doors to popular sexism, those doors need to close'
CF: 'Don't give up feminist spaces before you've got them'
CF: 'We need to make feminism relevant to all women in all spaces'
RK: 'Pressure on women to be sexual objects has never been greater' 

MME: 'You can't achieve gender equality as long as multi-billion dollar porn industry exists'

It was a fantastic day leaving all of us there with a sense of optimism and excitement. In the words of Kat Banyard: "We're part of a big and a beautiful movement. Together we will find our way to the feminist future we all want"

S

Dulce et Decoram Est

A poem for Remembrance Sunday 11.11.11

Wilfred Owen 8 October 1917 - March 1918 

Bent double, like old beggars under sacks,
Knock-kneed, coughing like hags, we cursed through sludge,
Till on the haunting flares we turned our backs,
And towards our distant rest began to trudge.
Men marched asleep.  Many had lost their boots,
But limped on, blood-shod.  All went lame, all blind;
Drunk with fatigue; deaf even to the hoots
Of gas-shells dropping softly behind.

Gas!  GAS!  Quick, boys! --  An ecstasy of fumbling
Fitting the clumsy helmets just in time,
But someone still was yelling out and stumbling
And flound'ring like a man in fire or lime. --
Dim through the misty panes and thick green light,
As under a green sea, I saw him drowning.

In all my dreams before my helpless sight
He plunges at me, guttering, choking, drowning.

If in some smothering dreams, you too could pace
Behind the wagon that we flung him in,
And watch the white eyes writhing in his face,
His hanging face, like a devil's sick of sin,
If you could hear, at every jolt, the blood
Come gargling from the froth-corrupted lungs
Bitter as the cud
Of vile, incurable sores on innocent tongues, --
My friend, you would not tell with such high zest
To children ardent for some desperate glory,
The old Lie:  Dulce et decorum est
Pro patria mori.

S

Touch, Look and Check

I may have stolen this blog from my dear friend Peter Thomas' blog but it deserves to be spread round to increase awareness about a cancer that affects millions of women each year.


I have to admit the advert does go against my feminist values. The ad was purely made to satisfy what the media industry believe to be our desire to see ripped men half naked telling us to 'touch ourselves'. I don't find the men particularly attractive to be honest and the *twinkle* in his eye made me want to GAG. 


BUT.... it does raise awareness effectively and will hopefully motivate women to the app on their phones, if they have an app friendly phone, and go to the doctors to get regular checks :)


Don't forget ladies..... TLC.........

S

Not a virgin? Let me just check.

Back in March when shit hit the fan in the Middle East, particularly in Egypt the military were carrying out secret 'tests'. Women were being 'tested' to prove that they were virgins so that they could say they had not been sexually assaulted. This is based on their misguided thinking that if a woman is a virgin, the sexual assault will affect her much more than it otherwise might.


For women to accuse men of sexually assaulting them during the revolutionary uprising would not stand if they were not virgins. To be believed they had to be pure, untouched and virginal.


The thing is, when you 'test' for virginity by shoving your disgusting, non-medically trained hands up a women's vagina, more often than not, you'll end up breaking the hymen = NOT A VIRGIN. And then you've added to the list of women who are no longer eligible to complain about a sexual assault.


Well, one woman has defied all odds and IS COMPLAINING... to Human Rights Watch. It's extremely brave of her to do so given that the military are still very much in charge of Egypt and she could face worse assaults than a virginity test.. 


However, it gives women hope. That they too will be able to stand and fight for their rights without being tested for something that is so precious to us all. 




S

If you're ugly.....you ain't going nowhere

Miss Representation Film - WATCH THIS - The film explores how the media’s misrepresentation of women has led to the underrepresentation of women in positions of power and influence.


We need more female representation in all public spheres - especially politics and in the media. People learn so much more from the media than any other source of information - it shapes our politics, our national discourse and our perceptions of what it is to be a man or a woman in today's society. 


Women are too often judged on how they look, putting aside their intellectual capacity or power to make a difference. From a young age we are programmed to believe that we will be successful if we look good and men will appreciate us if we look good - from Barbies to silly rom-coms, the message is clear: Look beautiful and you'll make it.


Our media (which is predominantly made up of men..) seems to enjoy patronising and undermining strong women who are in powerful posts. A strong example that stands out is Mary Portas' insult directed at the female members of the cabinet, calling them all 'an ugly bunch'. Her insult along with 'Calm down dear..' undermine the integrity and public face of our most talented female politicians. 


The same happened in Spain when Zapatero formed his cabinet, compromised of 9 female members (hurrah!) - but what did the media focus on? Their dress sense.... their looks.... their sensuality and the fact one of them was pregnant AND head of the armed forces.... how DARE a women lead our armed forces... isn't that a man's job? NO!


We must fight these preconceptions, fight for more female representation and put pressure on the media to create more female dominate roles to provide better role models for the future generation of women. 

S

Women4Peace

And the winner for the Nobel Peace Prize is........


Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Liberia
Leymah Gbowee Liberia
Tawakul Karman,Yemen

awarded for "their non-violent struggle for the safety of women and for women’s rights to full participation in peace-building work."








The fact that these 3 women have been given the Nobel Peace prize is evidence that women are key to developing more stable, happier and fairer societies. 


The only way to achieve gender equality in social, economic and political spheres is to give women a voice and give them the same opportunities as men to influence development at all levels. 


Congratulations to these 3 amazing role models and let's hope they act as an inspiration for all societies to achieve true gender equality. 




S

WorldSkills 2011 - Have you heard of it?

Before starting my internship at CC Skills and INSSO, I had never heard of WorldSkills - an international skills competition with young people from across the globe competing to be the best of the best in their chosen skill. 


It's truly impressive: 150,000 expected visitors will see 1,000 Competitors from more than 50 countries/regions competing in 46 skill areas over four exciting days of Competition.


I went along on Friday and it is absolutely mind-blowing. The huge Excel center has been taken over by young people demonstrating their skills in stonemasonry, hair-dressing, cooking, confectionery, landscape gardening, graphic design, information technology and many many more!!! You can walk around and literally stare while these young kids compete with each other to win top the gold medal.




A few observations: 


*huge gender divide - many more men than women competing, even in stereotypically women roles - hairdressing, jewellery design, cooking etc. It seems that young men are more encouraged to participate in this competition than women or maybe the girls haven't even heard about it ... this must change and it would be wonderful to see more girls at the competition in 2013.


*not many african or central/south american countries represented. There were a lot from Asia and the Middle East but not many from Central Africa or America Latina - let's get the word out there and get them involved!

I really recommend keeping your eye out for WorldSkills competition, especially if you work in education or with young people as it's a great event to be involved with..


The grand FINALE...... http://www.worldskills.org/index.php?option=com_wstv&catid=1&Itemid=708&pg=0&vid=875



S

Una casita para los gays ancianos

In Madrid they are building the first gay-friendly retirement home. It will be open to everyone but especially to homosexuals.


On the one hand it's great that older gays will be able to retire in a home where they feel comfortable and accepted because, from what I've read, a lot have a hard time when reaching retirement age. The old preconceptions of homosexuals being ill, mentally instable and dirty are still very much pervasive in the minds of the older generations.


On the other hand, it is sad that a retirement home specifically for gays needs to be built as they are in fact normal human beings who just happen to like the other sex, therefore they should get the same treatment as everybody else and be able to feel welcomed in any retirement home they choose to go to. 


Spain was one of the first countries to legalise same sex marriage and is known to be an extremely open society concerning gay rights. But it seems that even if the laws have changed, the hearts and minds of many haven't, hence the need for this retirement home.




I truly hope that by the time I reach retirement age, we will all, gays and straights alike, be able to sit together in our armchairs moaning about our misspent youth.




S

1, 2, 3.... VISA

At my cousin's wedding we played a great game - musical chairs with a 'twist' - you have to go and find an item and get back to your chair before the others.

This game will be played differently depending on what country you live in, being in Switzerland some of the items included:

*Visa card

*200 CFH note

*latest samsung

along with:

*toilet paper

*a black bra

*and.... a car jack!

We don't even think twice about having a visa card ready available or a wad of notes for this kind of game whereas in less developed countries one wouldn't dream of having those items on a list (that is if they even play this swiss musical chairs!). 

We are reminded, through playing this game, how fortunate we are and how rich we live. 

S

A barbaric sport vs. an artistic tradition

La corrida de toros - FOR or AGAINST. The most widely talked about Spanish tradition from GCSE classes to finals at University and beyond..


This weekend the last EVER bullfight in Barcelona took place at La Monumental, after 600 years the tradition which made Spain famous, has come to an end. 


WHY? and Why only in Catalonia?


Most people believe it was for animal rights arguments - a cruel, bloody and barbaric way to kill a beautiful animal which has to stop, the ban is to those activists is an  'enlightened move away from mindless barbarity'.


HOWEVER, the real reason is this: The Catalonians want their own nation, they are fiercely independent and have an extremely strong sense of national identity due to having their own language (and by god they will not tolerate castilian spanish!), their own cuisine, their own football club  ...


The fact that bullfighting is so emblematic of Spain means that they must separate themselves from it and ban it completely.

For many Spanish and Catalonians alike their heart is broken by the banning of what they see as a beautiful and majestic art. 


Will Catalonia gain independence by continuously banning anything 'spanish'? Vamos a ver... 



S

A step forward for Saudi Women

Great news! Saudi Women can now vote in the municipal elections! and join the advisory Shura council allowing them to have more of a say in how the country is run ... in 2015... 


Let us hope their voices are listened to, so that Saudi women are given more freedom because at the moment they still can't:


*drive OR
*travel, work or receive medical care without a male relative


It is a great step for such a conservative country and slowly liberalisation, starting with women's right, will start seeping through the country, just like it has in other Middle Eastern countries.


As the great Michelle Bachelet says: “As a bird needs two wings to fly, a society needs women & men leading together to evolve to a higher level” 


S

Let the RICH fight it out...

Russian oligarch punches rival in TV debate

The economic crisis is clearly having a marked effect on the oligarchs.. Uh oh.... We're in trouble....

S

Be green, cycle!

I dislike the tube, not a fan of buses during rush hour, don't own a car, the taxi-boat is too expensive so my only option is.... CYCLING! 

What a GREAT way to get around a busy city like London. Terrifying much? Oh YES! But I get to work in 20/25 minutes and I don't have to put up with sweaty pits rubbing against my face! WINNER!

My first rush hour cycling experience was not the most pleasant one: 10-15 cyclists very closely packed together, waiting for the light to turn green and then WHOOOOM... off they go! Over taking the slower ones (me), whizzing past with a flash of neon yellow and disappearing off into the sunset.. For slow cyclists it's quite a scary time as you feel like you're being pushed onto the curb and have to fight your way to stay on the road.

I have, since starting cycling to work, become more of a pro and can now over-take! whizz past! also sporting a rather sexy yellow jacket..

Be green and cycle. There are SO many advantages: get fit, save money and time, help the environment, avoid sweaty pits.... how many more reasons do you need?!

I'm back in London baby, and so is my bicycle!

S

Where were you on 9/11?

Sarah Macshane, aged 13: "I was standing in Victoria Station and looked up to the big screen, there were pictures of two huge buildings in New York crashing down to the ground. It felt like the whole station was on standstill, staring at this screen, not really understanding what was happening. I ran to my friend's house and told her to the turn the TV on - there it was, 9/11 had happened."

Holly Whittaker, aged 13: "At school with you! We went home early and I watched the whole thing on tv whilst on the phone to Eva! Everyone remembers..."

Peter Thomas, aged 12: "Was sister's bday so mum was home when i got back from school. The tv  was on and saw 2nd hit. Glued to tv, mouth-open. Weird birthday 4 her"

Michael Albert Brown, aged 14: " Was in 3rd form at the oratory, ripple of news spread very ominously. some people afraid that the school might have been in danger too."

AJ Reus, aged 12: "I remember it vividly, sitting in a class at school being told the news"

Hannah Vasdekys, aged 13: "We were in our form room, someone came in and told us to put the TV on, we all sat and watched the news. We were young and didn't really know what this meant"

I was in Hannah's form room, but I don't remember finding out about 9/11 until after school. Funny how memories can play tricks on you and funny which ones stand out the most.

It's the first global event that marked my life and I will never forget where I was or how I felt on that day. The act of terrorism is a horrific one but what western societies have done since then could be judged just as horrific.. We have become suspicious of our neighbours, fearful of planes, quick to judge anyone with a big rucksack and a beard, more racist towards Muslims, less accepting of differences. We have, in effect, let terrorism win.

Remember how we were when those Twin Towers stood proud? Well, let's not forget those days either.      

Where were you on 9/11? 

S

Would you befriend a murderer?

Human Writes is a NGO which befriends people on death row in the USA, giving these men and women a 'burst of sunshine' in their dark, lonely, cell filled lives. 


I am against capital punishment because I think that too many mistakes have been made in the past and innocent people can lose their lives. However, I  (and this may come as a shock to many of you) believe that a criminal should suffer for the crime they have committed. If someone has murdered, raped, abused, tortured (the list goes on) a small child, a young woman, an old man they should, in turn, suffer. If this means sitting in a cell with little light and no human interaction for the rest of their lives then so be it. 


What Human Writes does is in essence a lovely thing - forgiving and giving hope to those that deserve it the least. But for some reason, I just can't find it in myself to even contemplate forgiving these people.


This discussion can also be extended to a broader one about the justice system in general. I don't believe that mentally ill or disabled people should be on death row - clearly they need special attention in a psychiatric hospital. I believe everyone should be given a fair trial - innocent until proven guilty (although it seems to work the other way around these days). BUT, my current view is that those who end up on death row must have committed a truly horrendous crime. If they made their victim suffer, then why shouldn't they suffer?


"An eye for an eye" OR should I learn, through Human Writes to "But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also" (Matthew 5:39)


My friend Malou offers a different version, read her blog to find out her thoughts on Human Writes. 


S

A Arte Do Filme Brasileiro

This week and this week only............ 3rd London BRAZILIAN FILM FESTIVAL!

Being back in London is great because suddenly, the world is at your doorstep.. and this week it's Brazils turn to entertain me..

Some great films are being shown, starting tomorrow - romcoms, MPB music with Joao Gilberto, the story of Boca (one of the most dangerous Brazilian criminals in 1950s), Samba!, a Brazilian version of Romeo and Juliet... and many more!

Don't miss out on this great once a year opportunity and get yourself down to Covent Garden Odeon!

LoveBrazilianFilms

S

How To Be A Woman: by the Brilliant Caitlin Moran

Want to figure out if you're a feminist or not? According to Caitlin Moran here's the way to do it:

"Put your hand in your pants.

1. Do you have a vagina?
2. Do you want to be in charge of it?

If you said yes to both, then congratulations! You're a feminist!"

Her book is hilarious, crude, slightly uncouth, real, to the point and just bloody BRILLIANT.

She's made me feel more comfortable about talking about masturbation, abortions and hating heels. And she's also potentially terrified the shit of me at the thought of giving birth.... (But it did go well second time round for her!)

It seems to be for a specific generation, say from 20- 40, because my younger sister (18) didn't find it particularly humourus and nor did my mother/aunt/uncle.

Moral of the book: Masturbate, forget about Brazilian waxes and high heels, shout your feminist views LOUD AND PROUD, don't feel like you need the latest Prada to 'fit in' and... BE THE TYPE OF WOMAN YOU WANT TO BE, not who you think you should be.

Go buy it.. NOW!


S

Give a SHIT

For an NGO lovin', poverty hatin', change the world kinda gal I'm the first to admit there are a LOT of NGOs out there and they all want and need your mooolah.

BUT this is a new one and it's pretty cool. You don't need to take your purse out, keep the credit card away and GIVE A SHIT ;)

Pick a cause, any cause and............. GIVE  A SHIT.

Using social media to bring to light whatever cause you deem important... from AIDS, illiteracy and malnutrition to wars, rioting and water shortage!

Have a look at the fab website and check out the video too: http://www.give-a-shit.org/

"everyone has those moments of God-given contemplation while on the toilet. The perfect time for people to give a shit was while taking a shit"

S