The Necessary Women's Project

Good news!

2009-08-23T09:35:00.000-07:00

Good afternoon, fellow women's movementists!

We would like to announce that the Ottawa Women's Credit Union (OWCU) has decided to fund The Necessary Women's Project for the upcoming year! Look forward to regular entries from guest writers/artists, and a fabulous art show at the OWCU location on Bank Street early November, and collaborations with the Women's Centres of the University of Ottawa and Carlton University, and other women's groups in Ottawa to create some fantastic, women-centred events! Thank-you to Holly and Carrol from the OWCU for giving us this amazing oppourtunity.

In solidarity,
Emily, coordinator, NWP

[NOTE: I must apologize for the few, often sporadic entries and the probably frequent spelling mistakes that make up this blog (in particular, "menstruation" which I'm sure I'm not the only one to spell incorrectly as often as right). So far this blog is mainly written by me, with little to no editing, as The Necessary Women's Project has only just begun to take existence. However, starting next month, we shall see a greater variety in writers and postings, which will give me ample oppourtunity to perfect each post. Stay tuned!]

Thoughts on Mensruation

2009-07-15T09:58:00.000-07:00

It's hard not to hate those 4 or 5 days once a lunar cycle - the cramping, bloating, breakouts - it's not a fun time for most of us. And with all the new fancy birth control pills, patches and shots, it's easy to feel like pharmaceuticals aren't the obvious answer. They've got some pills that'll relieve cramping and acne, others that'll let you bleed only three times a year, and shots that'll stop your period all together. And let me tell you, there's something to be said for that convenience. BUT (you knew it was coming), while I am the last person who lets herself be defined in terms of her genital organs, I just have to question a pill or injection that stops or changes the very thing that makes me a woman.
About a year ago, I stopped taking Demulen 30. Now, anyone who knows the birth control world knows this is quite a strong one - this is because my body, as it turns out, is pretty stubborn when it comes to it's natural rhythm. I have also been on Diane and Ortho TriCyclin. I took them for cramping and acne, and, of course, for protection against pregnancy. And while I think every woman should have access to birth control, I stopped taking them because I was getting a little worried about all the new possible long-term effects that were appearing in newspapers. For example, what exactly are the effects of only having three or four periods a year? The answer: no one knows. But what we do know is that women's uterus's have been functioning on a lunar, or 28-day, calendar for as far back as we know. Somehow, changing that with pharmaceuticals just doesn't seem right to me. Besides that there are other risks, including blood clots, an increased risk of breast cancer, and depression. We're also starting to see the effects of birth control in the increased amount of hormones found in water, which enter via human waste. The result is an imbalance of the female-to-male ratio of aquatic offspring.
Regardless, all women have the right to access to birth control and to make the choice of whether pharmaceutical birth control is right for them. But I urge you, and your daughters, to reconcile yourselves with your uterus's, and embrace your bodily rhythms. We do something that no one else can and that's something to flaunt, not stifle.

Masculinity as part of Feminism

2009-07-13T10:50:00.000-07:00

How does the media and the portrayal of what a man is affect women and the goals of a feminist movement? Please, watch this video by Sanjay Newton found on Youtube by Jeremy Dias.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8CWMCt35oFY&feature=related

If this video has inspired you, I thoroughly encourage you to rent a copy of Tough Guise. By watching this movie, you will realize as I have that how we portray masculinity and the desirable traits a man should have is a great enforcer of gender roles, and limiter in the development of equality rights.

Apology is not enough...

2009-07-07T16:10:00.000-07:00

Jeremy Dias
founder of Jer's Vision

We all heard about it... Edmonton-Calder Conservative MLA Doug Elniski who posted text from a speech on June 13 that he said he has been using at grade 9 graduation ceremonies across his riding. Some of the most offensive part of the speech : "Ladies, always smile when you walk into a room, there is nothing a man wants less than a woman scowling because he thinks he is going to get s--t for something and has no idea what... Men are attracted to smiles, so smile, don't give me that 'treated equal' stuff. If you want Equal, it comes in little packages at Starbucks."

Elniski has apologized and explained that he is not sexist; but rather he believes in equality for all.

Although I cannot peer into his soul, I know that his actions were sexism. For more me however an apology does not cut it.

I challenge that Mr. Elniski educate himself on the history of sexism, and what makes those comments degrading and how they reinforce sexism in schools. I encourage him to go back to those schools, and share his newly gained knowledge with them, so as to role model what “a real man” does when he makes a mistake.

I also challenge all activists to share your comments with him, so that he knows that communities all over the world will not tolerate sexism.

More info on the story here: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/edmonton/story/2009/06/22/edmonton-elniski-speech.html

Human Nature & a Step in the Right Direction

2009-07-05T14:34:00.000-07:00

Good afternoon, women of the virtual world, on this beautiful Sunday!

First, I feel I should finally come to the second conversation I mentioned in the previous posting that I felt was so important. This conversation was really more of a statement because, once again, I was too flabbergasted to form any sort of intelligent response.

This time it was an older gentleman, perhaps in his late 60's, and he said (I paraphrase), "it would be exactly the same for men if women ruled the world. We would be the ones like that," and he pointed to a sign that said "FULL TIME FEMALE WORKERS MAKE 77.5% WHAT MEN DO FOR THE SAME WORK."

Now, that doesn't make you stop and think, you probably aren't reading this right. This statement means a few things to me (and a month later still makes me feel like ripping my hair out my the roots). Let's begin with the positive:

1. it acknowledges that men rule the world (and acceptence is after all the first step to change), and
2. it equivicates both men and women as species susceptible to the influence of power.

HOWEVER, it also,

3. implies that one gender must always have control over the other for society to function, and thereby that
4. harmony and cooperation is impossible between the sexes, and all peoples for that matter, and
5. discrimination against women is acceptable because, given the chance, we'd do it, too.

And this, my sisters, infuriates me.

BUT, as the (rather lengthy) title of this entry says I have GOOD NEWS.

THE WOMEN'S CREDIT UNION OF OTTAWA is interested in lending women of Ottawa and the Necessary Women's Project some space at their location on Bank Street for POETRY READINGS, COFFEE HOUSES, OPEN MICS, EXHIBITIONS and all kinds of other exciting activities! So, women out there in the virtual Ottawa (and beyond!) world - dust off your guitars, paint brushes, sewing machines, cameras, leotards, body paint, laptops, scripts whatever - and let's get some fabulous FEMALE PERFORMANCE/VISUAL/TEXTILE/MEDIA ART ready for a whole new class of women's meetings!

Most importantly, it is of the utmost importance that this initiative is shaped by the needs, desires, and dreams of the women involved, whether virtually or in person. So tell me what you want to see happen. For example, wouldn't it be neat to have an exhibition night of the art and creativity of elementary age young women? (Why, you ask? Because I just met a women whose daughter makes ALL HER OWN CLOTHES. Now that's a women worth recognizing!)

In soidarity, my sisters.

Observations on Gender Relations Today

2009-06-16T06:55:00.000-07:00

Emily Griffiths

Two conversations in particular stand out from my memory of Saturday's event. I believe these two conversations say a great deal about how gender, gender roles, and gender equality are viewed today. And, unfortunately, it's not good news. (At the risk of this post turning into pages long, I will discuss only one for today.)

The first remark that stands out vividly in my mind from Saturday, and which has been haunting me since, I came across as such:

Many young couples were letting their children play in the fountain near where we were "washing" laundry. I approached a woman, probably in her mid-thirties, to tell her about the NWP. As soon as I reached the word feminist (as in, "we're a feminist organization"), she threw her hand up and said firmly, "no, I am not a feminist. Not interested." Shocked, I stood there stupidly for a moment; I think I may have said, "oh. Okay," before stumbling on to a more receptive candidate, but when I returned to my fellow NWP volunteers and relayed what had happened, I exclaimed, "but she has a vagina! How can you not be a feminist when you have a vagina?!"

I have read about women refusing to identify with the word "feminist" but have never encountered it first hand. I've been thinking a lot about this woman. I came to the following realization: "feminism" does not unite all women, whether they have vagina's or not. This, inevitably, led to the "WHY?!" for which I have come to two possible conclusions.
1. "feminism" has a political subtext that women do not feel comfortable identifying with.
2. "feminism," as a word, has been twisted and perverted by patriarchal society to mean shrill, man-hating, serious, and sexless among other negative and unattractive things.
Like Inga Muscio, I believe women deserve to be empowered and united, not "divided and conquered". If "feminism" isn't the word to do it, fine - but what else is there? Beautiful, powerful women out there, help me figure this out!

First Event is a Success!

2009-06-13T19:58:00.000-07:00

This is myself (Emily) and Arwa, featuring a couple of our signs. They read "Aboriginal women are 3 times more likely to be victims of spousal abuse" and "STOP gender roles START equal opportunity" (my personal favourite).

I think the little girl in this picture sums it up perfectly. Her confused, disconcerted face is pretty much how I feel every day when I think of some of the statistics we focused on during this event.

This is an action shot of the live theatre of our event! That's me (a.k.a. 50's Housewife Barbie) doing laundry in the fountain and Jason (a.k.a 50's Husband) reading his paper.

Me, getting interviewed by CTV about the Necessary Women's Project. How exciting!

"Supreme Court throws out rape case over trial delays"

2009-06-05T10:25:00.000-07:00

Emily Griffiths

Unacceptable delays indeed, and even more unacceptable is the lack of consequences for charges of sexual assault, unlawful confinement, and death threats.

This case begs the questions,

WHY was this case delayed?

WHY is this man allowed to escape the consequences of his violent choices?

We live in a country with an imperfect system of prosecution, and while I am the last person to demand perfection from a system run by people, I am tired of its imperfections and shortcomings to be constantly to the detriment of women seeking justice.

Read the article for yourself and feel free to share your thoughts.

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20090604/scoc_ruling_090604/20090604/

Sex Work: the Scapegoat or the World's Oldest Profession?

2009-06-04T22:06:00.000-07:00

Nadijah Robinson

Sex workers and Prostitutes are hated, loathed, feared by society at large and in the media for sure. How did the oldest profession in the world get such a bad rap? Well the stereotype has the public imagining a depraved nymphomaniac drug-addict, working on the most run-down of street corners. The reality of the situation is quite different. Did you know that 80% of sex work is not done on the street? Well now you do. But then how is it that 93% of criminal charges involve street sex work? Did you know that sex workers face being robbed, beaten and sexually assaulted on their job, but usually don’t report it to the police for fear of being arrested? Many people in the profession are also the victims of violent and heinous crimes, but they don’t appear in the news reports at night... why is that?

People believe the stereotype, and society in general has an issue with the profession. But what do we (as a society) really have a problem with - the fact that men and women are wielding their sexuality in their professions? If so, why don’t we have a similar problem with wait staff or musicians who use similar degrees of intimacy and flirtation in order to get ahead? Can we get off our moral high-ground, and meet sex workers half-way? As long as everyone continues to look down on sex workers, to dehumanize them, and see them as victims, the violence against them, and their vulnerable position in society will continue to be tolerated. And that’s the issue.

Here’s what you can do. Engage in the discussion. Watch these two videos. Hear it from their own mouths for a change. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=akKzsWyjL5w and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hHYzTZJZlU

Sources:
- http://www2.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/city/story.html?k=47531&id=093ac70f-4011-4edc-b959-be759e2b6bf7
- http://www.research.uottawa.ca/perspectives/10020

Tampons: convenient or harmful?

2009-05-31T17:51:00.000-07:00

Periods, Blood and Poison Tampons, OH MY!
Nadijah Robinson

Most people have heard the many rumours and e-mails circulating about the dangers of tampon and pad use. They claim that tampons contain asbestos which causes excess bleeding, dioxin which is a known carcinogen and rayon which may be linked to Toxic-Shock Syndrome. The truth? There seems to be no evidence whatsoever behind the asbestos claim. Both Health Canada and the US FDA have stated that tampons sold in both countries are produced using dioxin-free methods. And while some tampons do contain rayon, TSS is actually linked to the unnecessary use of high-absorbency tampons.

So what’s the issue?!
The fact is that we use tampons and pads in our most intimate of parts, at their most vulnerable time. We use them to cover and control this natural event that we really can’t control. Tampon ads encourage a sort of confidence in tampons and pads that dissuades us from asking questions like “How does this magical leak-lock system work?” and “What are the effects on my body, but most directly, on my reproductive system?” On top of that, tampon ads encourage shame and embarrassment toward bleeding with ‘discrete’ designs. Do women really need more feelings of shame toward our bodies, really?

Luckily, there are alternatives. Here’s what you can do.
First, read this awesome article. http://www.themanitoban.com/features/menstruation-myths
Second, if you’ve lost confidence or you just get that unnerving sketchy feeling when thinking about mainstream period products, there are others you can use which are made of 100% organic unbleached cotton, or reusable or washable materials. Check out your local health food store for alternative options!

Sources:
- http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1101000529-46562,00.html
- http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/consumer/tamponsabs.html
- http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hl-vs/iyh-vsv/prod/tampons-eng.php