Today is International Women’s Day.
Today I fly from the UK to East Africa, via the Middle East. I leave behind a property I own, an active and enriching social life, and lovers who challenge my mind, body and assumptions about myself. I enjoy respect and independence in my personal and professional life. I do not need to seek permission from my husband or father to travel.
I will fly via a country where women are flogged for illicit sexual relations and where this blog would likely be dubbed a cybercrime and a threat to social values under restrictive freedom of expression laws. I will work for a week in a country where some two million women had their clitoris and labia removed before the age of five and their vagina sewn up (bar a tiny opening for menstruation) until marriage, and where they can expect to be a grandmother three or four times over by the age of 40.
The freedom to enjoy, own and express our bodies is born out of where we are born. It is a freedom I cherish. Sadly women’s bodies are still political territory. Fighting to retain freedom for ourselves at home and to win it for women around the world is why International Women’s Day matters.
PS: I may not have internet access where I am going so a friend has posted my link to Sinful Sunday and will be approving comments on my behalf. If I can’t get online I will reply to your messages and look at your pictures when I am back next weekend.
Exposing40
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March 8, 2015 at 8:47 am
What can I say, other than that this is an incredibly important message and an amazing accompanying photograph. Wishing you all the best for your journey and here’s hoping that over time, the bodies of women the world over will be their own. Jane xxx
March 8, 2015 at 12:14 pm
Brilliant image to go with your words. It’s so sad that not all women (and in many countries men too) can enjoy the freedom we take for granted.
Rebel xox
March 8, 2015 at 12:18 pm
Thought provoking words to accompany a very nice image.
KW
March 8, 2015 at 2:40 pm
I wish you well in your work in the coming week.
I find that your words and image are potent and powerful.
Those of us born in parts of the world where we are allowed to be free and able to do as we wish (and not just sexually) is to be cherished and should never be taken for granted, especially as women in other parts of the world do not have such freedoms.
Velvet x
March 8, 2015 at 11:03 pm
I think it is so easy to take the freedoms we have for granted and it is that which actually makes us at great risk of those freedoms being eroded by people with a conservative agenda. This is a very powerful image with a very important message
Mollyxxx
March 8, 2015 at 11:51 pm
Reblogged this on Miss Corningstone.
March 9, 2015 at 12:12 am
Love, love, love this. So true, and a beautiful image to go with such a powerful message. Thank you. XX
March 9, 2015 at 2:19 am
A very timely reminder that not everyone can enjoy the same freedoms we do. Thank you!!
~Kazi xxx
March 9, 2015 at 4:46 am
A very powerful message, accompanied by a beautiful image. Be safe on your travels!
March 9, 2015 at 8:54 am
Well Said!!
March 9, 2015 at 12:08 pm
I agree with the other commentors here….’what the fuck do you lot need a day for?’ was one comment I heard yesterday, and this, right her, is one very strong reason why. Freedom is not afforded everyone, in many societies women are still seen as being lesser individuals based on their gender. They’re abused, killed, sold, unwanted….it is SO important that we do have this day to try to
March 9, 2015 at 8:14 pm
We really do forget just how lucky we are.
March 9, 2015 at 8:22 pm
All of the above comments say it all . . . my thoughts are with you!!!
Xxx – K
March 10, 2015 at 8:33 pm
As the proud father of a young daughter, thank you for all you’re doing.
March 11, 2015 at 1:16 pm
This is simply wonderful. A powerful message, a needed reminder, a pointed image to go along with the words. Really beautiful. Thank you.