Stripping Protest & All About FEMEN:
A New Form of Feminist Protest (NSFW)
Exclusive : FEMEN Protests at World Economic Forum
- 23 December 2011. Updated.
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- 10 November 2011
Naked truth:
topless Ukrainian feminists say their next target is Middle East
The radical Ukrainian protest group – FEMEN has been causing a stir around Europe for a while now. After spectacularly bashing the likes of Putin, Berlusconi and Dominique Strauss Khan, protesting outside the Vatican and launching off-shots in the US, has the movement gone global? The ladies say next target is Iran
Founded in Kiev in 2008, Femen captured the international media attention after staging a series of spectacular topless protests against women discrimination, the widespread practice of sex tourism and the sexist nature of Ukrainian politics.
Since the 2004 Orange revolution that effectively drew the country from authoritarianism, Ukraine has been going through pretty much the usual post-communist scenario of a fragile transitional-democracy, burdened with corruption and stagnant economy. Under President Viktor Yanukovych, the state has taken a more conservative course which many have viewed as a path back to authoritarian rule.
Disrupting a polling station where presidential candidate Viktor Yanukovych was due to cast his vote (February 7, 2010)
In such a climate, Femen’s agenda quickly moved from strictly sexist issues to other local concerns such as the tax code, freedom of speech and government spendings, before going international and staging protests against foreign political leaders by the likes of Putin and Berlusconi.
Last week, they visited the Vatican. This young activist takes Madonna’s Like a Prayer to a completely different level:
In sharp contrast to gender neutral-looking feminists of the old school, a typical Femen activist looks like the ultimate “Eastern European prostitute” fantasy: forever twenty-one, with a face of an angel and a body of a supermodel, the kind of woman Western men imagine paying for a lapdance in a five-star hotel while listening to her whisper in soft ‘Russian’ accent. Is this what makes FEMEN truly radical?
Yes, beauty is a weapon. But in this case, many have asked: does it work?
(Voulez vous coucher avec Dominique ce soir? Femen dressed as housemaids protesting outside the residence of former IMF chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn, previously accused of raping a hotel maid)
According to the group, there are 20 topless activists and another 300 fully-clothed, working behind the scenes (including a few men). Anna Hutsol (hair cropped, boobs tucked in), the founder of Femen, represents the group on an official level, while activists like Aleksandra Shevchenko take part in topless performances. The average age of the group is 22 as most of the women are university students.
In late April 2011 Femen claimed it was setting up international branches in Warsaw, Zurich, Rome, Tel Aviv and Rio de Janeiro and recently announced it might form a political party to participate in the Ukraine elections.
In front of Ukraine's Education Ministry in Kiev denouncing sexual harassment of students by some university professors in the country (November 16, 2009) / Photo AFP
However, despite global media popularity, it seems the movement failed to gain wider support. As one of Ukrainian gender studies experts argued in The Guardian, most women are “unimpressed” by Femen’s actions. (Would it make a difference if the girls were fully clothed and average looking?) On the other hand, most of the men’s “support” remains overtly misplaced in relation to the group’s cause (“dude, bitches flashing their tits in front of the Pope!” etc).
Protesting against Russian PM Vladimir Putin during his visit to Ukraine (October 27, 2010)
So what’s wrong with Femen? Nothing, apart from a sad truth: if you are a beautiful 20-year old with tits, no one will take you seriously. Not even other women. The world is ruled by rich middle-aged men, and the women inside have a designated place, one way or another. That is precisely the world Femen is fighting against.
Fighting in mud on Independence Square in Kiev,
in a symbolic protest against dirty politics in Ukraine (October 19, 2008)
Chances are slim that a Femen political party – if it ever sees the light of day – would be successful, but why not spreading this radical feminist protest beyond Ukraine borders? At least further through Eastern Europe and the Balkans, a region known for political upheavals and hot women. Ladies, please, step up.
In the meantime, Femen activists are keeping themselves busy. After performances in Paris and Rome, Alexandra Shevchenko told the Russian news channel RT that the group is considering Middle East as their next target.
“We receive lots of letters telling us to continue fighting religious injustice towards women, especially in Muslim states. That’s where we want to develop. We are even ready to go to Iran or any other Islamic state to stage our topless protests…”
That’s a joke, right?
FEMEN Protest Photos
Cryptome Protest Series: http://cryptome.org/protest-series.htm & http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FEMENhttp://www.sinlung.com/, http://bturn.com/
FEMEN (Ukrainian: Фемен) is a Ukrainian protest group based in Kiev, founded in 2008. The organisation became internationally known for organizing topless protests against sex tourists, international marriage agencies, sexism and other social, national and international ills.
Some of the goals of the organisation are:
"To develop leadership, intellectual and moral qualities of the young women in Ukraine" and "To build up the image of Ukraine, the country with great opportunities for women".
Leader : Anna Hutsol
Founded : 2008
Headquarters : Kiev
International affiliation : Cooperation with other international women’s organizations
Official colours : Pink
Website :
- femen.org
- Politics of Ukraine
- Political parties
- Elections
- http://femen.livejournal.com/
- https://www.facebook.com/Femen.UA
- http://femenshop.com/
- http://twitter.com/FEMEN_Movement
- https://plus.google.com/109212741590298158848/posts
- http://vimeo.com/user4967407
- http://vkontakte.ru/club2672464
The organization
Female university students between 18 and 20 years old formed the backbone of the movement when it was formed in 2008. In Kiev, there are about 300 active participants in the movement.
There are few male members of FEMEN. The group comprises some 20 topless activists and 300 fully clothed members. Most of its demonstrations are staged in Kiev, but FEMEN has also held actions in cities like Odessa, Dnipropetrovsk and Zaporizhia.
The goals of the organization is
"to shake women in Ukraine, making them socially active; to organize in 2017 a women's revolution."
The group has stated it has enjoyed limited success in pushing its agenda. As of late April 2010 the organisation is contemplating becoming a political party to run for seats in the October 2012 Ukrainian parliamentary election.
FEMEN justifies its provocative methods stating "This is the only way to be heard in this country. If we staged simple protests with banners, then our claims would not have been noticed". The organisation plans to become the biggest and the most influential feminist movement in Europe.
Some members claim their involvement in FEMEN caused their families to become alienated from them.
FEMEN founder Hutsol (left with red hair) and DJ Hell (May 2009)
Facebook initially blocked the FEMEN page because it suspected it was pornographic.
Late April 2011 the organization claimed it was setting up international branches in Warsaw, Zurich, Rome, Tel Aviv and Rio de Janeiro. They also claimed that after the early 2010 election of President Viktor Yanukovych the Security Service of Ukraine has attempted to intimidate the FEMEN activists.
FEMEN occasionally holds rallies outside Ukraine.
Several criminal cases have been opened against the organization in Ukraine a.o. on "hooliganism" and "desecration of state symbols"; and they have been fined.
Founder of FEMEN Anna Hutsol, born 16 October 1984, is an economist and has a background in theater and uses that skill to attract attention to her cause (for Ukrainian women to gain access to society and politics). but never bares herself - which was speculated as a hint to her homosexuality[citation needed].
The Femen activist group has made headlines around the world by baring their breasts to protest against prostitution, exploitation and corruption. Here, a November 2011 protest in Vatican City.
History
FEMEN protest in Kiev during the 2010 Ukrainian presidential election
Since then Femen have regularly protested 'topless', and the organization has staged noticeable erotically-flavored rallies (among others) near the building of the Cabinet of Ministers, at Maidan Nezalezhnosti, the Turkish embassy in Ukraine and in front of the Iranian embassy to oppose the expected execution of Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani.
While most of the protests have been confined to going ‘topless’, in October 2010 Shachko exposed her buttocks outside a locked toilet in a demonstration to protest about the lack of public toilets in Kiev; and four of the group members staged a similar protest in Kiev in February 2011.
Hutsol is adamantly opposed to legalizing prostitution in Ukraine. FEMEN proposed the introduction of criminal responsibility for the use of sex industry services late in May 2009. FEMEN has protested against what they argue are moves being made by the Ukrainian government to legalize prostitution during the EURO 2012 championships. The group asked UEFA and the Ukrainian government to create a social program devoted to the problem of sex tourism and prostitution in Ukraine; to inform football fans that prostitution is illegal in Ukraine; and to take additional steps to fight against prostitution and sex tourism.
A demonstration by a group called RU FEMEN in the Russian capital Moscow late April 2011[40] was immediately denounced as a fake offspring of FEMEN.
FEMEN accused Russian political party United Russia of having set up this RU FEMEN.
Cultural and political image
FEMEN's actions received criticisms in Ukraine for "being meaningless" or "being outright tasteless". According to Ukrainian gender studies expert Tetyana Bureychak, most Ukrainian women are unimpressed by FEMEN. According to sociologist Oleh Demkiv of the Lviv University, FEMEN does not enjoy popular support.
According to Reuters "Femen represents -- albeit on a modest scale -- one of the few regular street protest movements". Some parents of FEMEN activists have wondered if they were addicted to drugs.In Ukraine the FEMEN activists have been labeled (in 2010) "girls Tymoshenko" and/or "Putin's agents relevant? – discuss; it must be noted that FEMEN has demonstrated against Putin and the organization never did sympathize with Tymoshenko.The organization claims to be an independent organization "Beyond politics and beyond religion".
The group's actions have been reported in news-outlets such as :
- CNN,
- BBC News,
- Der Spiegel,
- Die Welt,
- Independent.ie,
- France 24,
- Euronews,
- Kyiv Post,
- Mizozo,
- USA Today,
- Reuters,
- The Washington Post, and
- The Wall Street Journal.
FEMEN Protest Photos
FEMEN at KGB Headquarters, Minsk, December 19, 2011. http://femen.livejournal.com/183324.html
FEMEN at KGB Headquarters, Minsk, December 19, 2011. http://femen.livejournal.com/183324.html
Oksana Shachko (L), Inna Shevchenko (2nd L) and other activists from women's rights group Femen talk to the media in Kiev December 21, 2011.
Ukraine's Femen group which specialises in topless protests in public raised an SOS on Tuesday over three activists who it said were seized by police in Belarus, forced to strip, threatened with violence and then abandoned naked in woodland. The Kiev-based group said the three were seized by police in the Belarussian capital Minsk on Monday after staging a typical bare-breasted protest on the steps of the KGB state security headquarters, mocking authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko. Reuters
Aleksandra Nemchinova ,left, and Inna Shevchenko,center, Oksana Shachko ,right, activists of the Women's Movement 'FEMEN' speak to media in Kiev,Ukraine,Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2011. The Ukrainian organization of topless women activists says three of its members were abducted by security officers during a protest against Belarus' authoritarian president, beaten, humiliated and left naked in a forest.(Sergei Chuzavkov)
Oksana Shachko (R), Inna Shevchenko (C) and Aleksandra Nemchinova from Ukraine's Femen group speak to the media at a hospital in a small town of Elsk, about 330 km (206 miles) southeast of Minsk, December 20, 2011. Ukraine's Femen group which specialises in topless protests in public raised an SOS on Tuesday over three activists who it said were seized by police in Belarus, forced to strip, threatened with violence and then abandoned naked in woodland. The Kiev-based group said the three were seized by police in the Belarussian capital Minsk on Monday after staging a typical bare-breasted protest on the steps of the KGB state security headquarters, mocking authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko. Reuters
Firemen attempt to remove an activist of women's movement FEMEN from a fence during their protest action in front of the cabinet of the Ministers building in Kiev on December 16, 2011. The young Ukrainian women climbed up a fence in front of the Cabinet of Ministers building and protested against the lack of women in the Prime Minister Mykola Azarov's government. Getty
Ukrainian police officers detain an activist from women's rights group FEMEN during a protest outside government buildings in Kiev December 16, 2011. The protest was organised to draw attention to the lack of women in the Ukrainian government, on the occasion of Prime Minister Mykola Azarov's birthday. Reuters
Activists of Ukraine's protest group Femen, protest outside the Christ the Saviour cathedral in Moscow, Russia, Friday, Dec. 9, 2011. The post-election protests in Moscow drew thousands and continued for several days in the biggest ever challenge to Putin, reflecting a growing public frustration with his rule that may complicate his bid to reclaim the presidency in next March's vote. (Ivan Sekretarev)
Activists of the Ukrainian women's movement FEMEN stage a performance in front of the Christ the Saviour Cathedral in Moscow, on December 9, 2011, to protest against alleging mass fraud in the Russian December 4 parliamentary polls and demanding Russia’s Prime Minister Vladimir Putin that he stop his political activities. Putin, who became premier in 2008 after serving two Kremlin terms, filed this week his application to stand in the March elections. Getty
A security guard detains an activist of Ukraine's protest group Femen, outside the Christ the Saviour cathedral in Moscow, Russia, Friday, Dec. 9, 2011. The post-election protests in Moscow drew thousands and continued for several days in the biggest ever challenge to Putin, reflecting a growing public frustration with his rule that may complicate his bid to reclaim the presidency in next March's vote. (Ivan Sekretarev)
Police officers try to arrest activists of the Ukrainian women's movement FEMEN as they protest on December 3, 2011 against a meeting of opposition parties in Kiev. FEMEN activists protested against the event, saying that peeple came to the meeting because its organizers promised them money. Getty
Activists of Ukrainian women movement FEMEN hold placards reading 'EURO-2012 without prostitution', 'UEFA attacked our gates' and others during a protest in front of the Olimpisky Stadium in Kie, a few hours prior the UEFA EURO-2012 Final Draw ceremony on December 2, 2011. Getty
A police officer detains a topless woman protesting against alleged attempts to legalize prostitution during the Euro 2012 in Ukraine prior to the final draw for the Euro 2012 soccer tournament in Kiev, Ukraine, Friday, Dec. 2, 2011. Ukrainian women's rights activists staged a topless demonstration at Kiev's Olympic Stadium to protest what they say are attempts to legalize prostitution during the 2012 European Championship. (Ferdinand Ostrop)
Policemen arrest activists of the Ukrainian women movement FEMEN as they stage a demonstration holding placards reading 'EURO-2012 without prostitution', 'UEFA attacked our gates' and others in front of the Olimpisky Stadium in Kiev a few hours before the UEFA EURO-2012 Final Draw ceremony on December 2, 2011.
Activists from Ukraine's scandalous FEMEN group holds a banner reading 'woman is not a commodity' as they stage a topless protest on November 10, 2011 against prostitution and woman as a commodity in an official prostitution's street in Zurich. Getty
An activist of the Ukrainian women movement Femen is being arrested by policemen in front of St Peter's basilica after holding a placard asking for 'Freedom for women' following Pope Benedict XVI's Angelus prayer on November 6, 2011 at St Peter's square at The Vatican. Getty
An activist of the Ukrainian women movement Femen is taken away by Italian policemen in front of St Peter's basilica after holding a placard asking for 'Freedom for women' following Pope Benedict XVI's Angelus prayer on November 6, 2011 at St Peter's square at The Vatican. Getty
An activist of the Ukrainian female rights organization "Femen" shows a placard demanding freedom for women, during a protest at the end of Pope Benedict XVI's Angelus prayer in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Sunday, Nov. 6, 2011. (Pier Paolo Cito)
Ukrainian women's rights group Femen, painted in colors of the Italian flag, take part in a demonstration staged by the Italian Democratic party to protest against Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi in Rome, Saturday, Nov. 5, 2011. The International Monetary Fund will monitor Italy's financial reform efforts, Premier Silvio Berlusconi said Friday, a humbling step for one of the world's biggest _ but also most indebted _ economies as market confidence in its future wanes.
Activists from Ukraine's scandalous FEMEN group dressed as housemaids stage a topless protest in a show of anger against French former IMF chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn's attitude towards women in front of his residence in Paris on October 31, 2011. FEMEN has gained worldwide fame by staging a string of topless protests in Ukraine and now in Europe, in recent years to draw attention to issues from the exploitation of women to corruption. The placard read at L 'ecstasy of power', at R 'your shame can't be clean up'. Getty
People walk in front of Kiev Zoo, as activists of the Ukrainian female rights organization "Femen", take part in a topless protest in Kiev, Ukraine, Thursday, Oct. 27, 2011. Kiev zoo is a place that Femen's activists compared to a concentration camp for those with fur and feathers. Hundreds of animals died at the zoo in recent years due to malnutrition, lack of medical care and abuse, and some suspect that corruption is at the heart of the problem.
Securty guards detain an activist of the Ukrainian female rights organization "Femen", during an action of protest in front of Kiev Zoo, Ukraine, Thursday, Oct. 27, 2011. Kiev zoo is a place that Femen's activists compared to a concentration camp for those with fur and feathers. Hundreds of animals died at the zoo in recent years due to malnutrition, lack of medical care and abuse, and some suspect that corruption is at the heart of the problem. Femen calls for the 100-year-old zoo to be closed.
Secury guards detain an activist of the Ukrainian female rights organization "Femen", during an action of nude protest in front of Kiev Zoo, Ukraine, Thursday, Oct. 27, 2011. Kiev zoo is a place that Femen's activists compared to a concentration camp for those with fur and feathers. Hundreds of animals died at the zoo in recent years due to malnutrition, lack of medical care and abuse, and some suspect that corruption is at the heart of the problem.
Police detain a member of women's activist group FEMEN after their protest against government policy in front front of the Cabinet building in Kiev, Ukraine, Wednesday, Aug.24, 2011. The former Soviet republic marks the 20th anniversary of its independence. (Efrem Lukatsky)
Police detain a member of the women's activist group FEMEN, after their protest against government policy in front of the Cabinet building in Kiev, Ukraine, Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2011. The former Soviet republic is marking the 20th anniversary of its independence. (Efrem Lukatsky)
Ukrainian women's rights group Femen, painted in colors of the European Union countries, protest against the regular summer switch off of public utility supply of hot water in central Kiev, Ukraine, Thursday, July 14, 2011. Women symbolically wash themselves in the city fountain to protest the need for hot water all year round, and to highlight the need for the hot water utility during the upcoming EURO 2012 soccer competition.(Efrem Lukatsky)
Ukrainian women's rights group Femen holding a picket in front of a court building, against the detention of a fellow activist in Kiev, Ukraine, Monday, Jan. 17, 2011. The poster reads, "Hands off, Femen". Opposition politicians and democrats insist that President Viktor Yanukovych trampled Ukraine's constitution in a bit to monopolize political power.(Efrem Lukatsky)
Ukrainian women's rights group Femen, painted in colors of the European Union countries, protest against the regular summer switch off of public utility supply of hot water in central Kiev, Ukraine, Thursday, July 14, 2011. Women symbolically wash themselves in the city fountain to protest the need for hot water all year round, and to highlight the need for the hot water utility during the upcoming EURO 2012 soccer competition. (Efrem Lukatsky)
Police detain Alexandra Shevchenko a member of women's activist group FEMEN, in front of parliament in Kiev, Ukraine, Tuesday, July 5, 2011. Ukrainians are fiercely opposed to the pension fund reform, which parliament is set to consider this week, that is meant to raise the retirement age for women. (Efrem Lukatsky)
Semi naked activists from the Ukrainian female rights group Femen protest in front of the Saudi Arabian embassy against a ban on driving cars for women in Kiev, Ukraine, Thursday, June 16, 2011. (Sergei Chuzavkov)
An secury guard detains an activist of the Ukrainian female rights organization 'Femen' during an action of protest in front of the city's State Administration at a opening ceremony of clocks counting down time that remains before the EURO 2012 soccer tournament starts, in Kiev, Ukraine, Wednesday, June 8, 2011. Writing on her back reads 'Euro 2012 without Prostitution'. (Efrem Lukatsky)
Activists of the Women's Movement 'FEMEN' perform during a protest against the politics of Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko, during a rally to protest against what they claim is the sex-tourism and trafficking of women from Ukraine, at Independence square in Kiev, Ukraine, Wednesday, May 11, 2011. The Women's Movement 'FEMEN' is an organization of the young women of the city of Kiev orientated to represent and defend the rights of women-students of the capital. (Efrem Lukatsky)
Activists of the Women's Movement 'FEMEN' performs and shout anti-Lukashenko slogans protesting against his politics in Belarus during a rally at Independence square in Kiev, Ukraine, Wednesday, May. 11, 2011. The poster reads 'Put Lukashenko on the Rack!'. The Women's Movement 'FEMEN' is an organization of the young women of the city of Kiev oriented on the women-students of the capital. The main program of the movement is the national campaign against the sex tourism and women trafficking. (Efrem Lukatsky)
Activists of the Women's Movement 'FEMEN' performs and shout anti-Lukashenko slogans protesting against his politics in Belarus during a rally at Independence square in Kiev, Ukraine, Wednesday, May. 11, 2011. The poster reading 'Crush a cockroach'. The Women's Movement 'FEMEN' is an organization of the young women of the city of Kiev oriented on the women-students A depiction of Lukashenko is seen in the background. (Efrem Lukatsky)
Ukrainian police hold back activists from the women's rights organization "Femen" during a protest close to the site of the international donors conference to clean up the Chernobyl nuclear disaster site in Kiev, Ukraine, Tuesday, April 19, 2011. Poster reads "Yanukovych is worse than radiation". On April 26, Ukraine marks the 25th anniversary of the fatal explosion at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant. (Ukrafoto)
Ukrainian activists from the group Femen protest Iran’s treatment of women during the opening of Iranian Culture Days in Kiev, Ukraine, Thursday, Nov. 11, 2010. (Sergei Chuzavkov)
Activists of the Ukrainian Women's Movement "FEMEN" shout protests in front of the Iranian Embassy in Kiev, Ukraine, Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2010, against the death penalty given to Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, a mother of two children, who was sentenced to death by stoning in Iran on charges of adultery. (Sergei Chuzavkov)
In this photo taken on Thursday, July 15, 2010, police detain activists of the local FEMEN women's rights watchdog as they protest against the regular summer switch off of hot water in the city in downtown Kiev, Ukraine. A group of young activists is gaining popularity here for staging topless protests that involve sexually charged gestures, obscene slogans and scuffles with security guards and police. Often, the point seems to be just getting naked.
Members of the activist group Femen protest at what they see as the manipulation of the democratic system at a polling station in Kiev, Ukraine, Sunday, Feb. 7, 2010. The signs read "The War Begins Here" and "Stop Raping the Country." (Mikhail Metzel)
Members of the activist group Femen protest at what they see as the manipulation of the democratic system at a polling station in Kiev, Ukraine, Sunday, Feb. 7, 2010. (Mikhail Metzel)
Activists of the Women's Movement “FEMEN”, dressed as prostitutes, take part in a rally outside the Central Election Commission office in Kiev, Ukraine, Thursday, Jan. 14, 2010. The event was meant to highlight what the group called political prostitution and crude populism in the election campaign. The posters with the logos of the leading candidates and signature "Choose me" in Ukraine's presidential race are seen at top.
An activist of the Women's Movement “FEMEN”, dressed as a prostitute, holds a poster with the logo of one of the leading candidates and signature "Choose me" in Ukraine's presidential race, during a rally outside the Central Election Commission office in Kiev, Ukraine, Thursday, Jan. 14, 2010. The event was meant to highlight what the group called political prostitution and crude populism, in the election campaign.
A security officer stops an activist of the Women's Movement 'FEMEN' from climbing a barrier at Mykhailivska Square in Kiev, Ukraine, Monday, Dec. 14, 2009, prior the opening of the meeting for UEFA EURO 2012. The 'FEMEN' movement is campaigning against sex tourism and the trafficking of women in Ukraine. (Efrem Lukatsky)
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