Kavita Ramdas: Radical women, embracing tradition

By Stephanie Hubbard

'Why is it that women are, on the one hand, viciously oppressed by cultural practices, and yet, at the same time, are the preservers of cultures in most societies?' - Kavita Ramdas from the Global Fund for Women

In this fascinating talk, Kavita Ramdas shares stories of the women she has met from across the globe who are striving to make the world a better place while preserving the traditions of their culture.

FGM in the UK

By Stephanie Hubbard

Last week I listened to a devastating Women's Hour discussion on Radio 4 about Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in the UK. With children up and down the country now enjoying their summer holidays the programme draws attention to the number of young girls who are sent abroad by their families during this time to be 'cut'.

FGM is illegal in the UK but despite the number of families sending their daughters abroad to undergo this horrific procedure, there is yet to be a single prosecution. Jenni Murray talks to a representative from the Metropolitan police and Jane Ellison, Conservative MP for Battersea, about the issue and how to challenge cultural beliefs without causing offense to communities.

You can listen to the episode again on the Women's hour website here.

We're back!

Hello everyone,

Firstly we'd like to apologise for being off the radar since International Women's Day, very very sorry indeed! We've still been wearing black but technical problems as well as extremely busy lives have kept us away away from the blog but i'm happy to say WE'RE BACK!!!

I hope you'll appreciate the beautiful clean lines of our new look as we wanted to de-clutter but I hope you also notice our new 'Take Action' section. This will be updated on a regular basis with campaign actions from organisations working on gender based violence and discrimination issues and we'll also be providing you with some ideas for how to raise awareness with your friends.

As always if any of you are keen to write a blog post for us then do drop us an email as we are always looking for new writers.

Anyway that's all for now but stay tuned for more action.

Lots of Love
the Thursdays in Black team xxx

Things I'm reading...

'Crossed legs' protesting

Lost Slutwalkers

The end of feminism