Tag Archives: Continuum of Violence

‘Traumatised into feminism,’ Mona Eltahawy speaks of her decision to unveil and understanding that ‘Muslim women’s bodies are the medium upon which culture is engraved, be it through headscarves or cutting.’ Women in the forefront of protests in Tahrir Square. Mohammed Omer. All rights reserved.She is fast. She is furious. She is a runaway train. But she is not off her rails. That is what I tweeted after hearing Mona talk about her new book, Headscarves and Hymens: Why the …

The EU Victims Directive comes into force this month. Will it prevent the further decimation of Black and minority ethnic organisations offering specialised services to women facing violence in the UK?  This is part two of an article addressing the cuts to the women’s sector in the UK. Read part one.  The Istanbul Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence, which the UK has so far failed to ratify, obliges member states to adequately fund both …

The quality of service in the independent women’s sector is no guarantee against the future as the British government continues its assault on specialist women’s services protecting women from violence.  It is tragic that we must mark the 16 Day period of activism and awareness of violence against women in 2015 with the recognition that the very sector that provides services to these women is looking emaciated, deprived of nourishment by a government which drones on about its commitment to …

The most watched drama on the BBC for 20 years,The Fall, is about a serial killer in Belfast who murders and ‘poses’ his women victims in the nude. Is the violence gratuitous, or does it capture the current post-conflict mood and mindset of Belfast? “You are a slave to your desires, you have no control at all, you are weak, impotent, you think you are some kind of artist, but you are not… you try to dignify what you do, …

The work of peace building is still ongoing in Northern Ireland. International media, when they accept a simplified story whereby the conflict often called the ‘Troubles’ has ended, can overlook this reality. Yet the upsurge of civil unrest played out in the flag protests since December 2012 and the recent row over the On the Run revelations demonstrate that the peace process is far from being complete, and there are signs that it is regressing. The recent arrest of Gerry …

In Israel/Palestine, former combatants are using the Theatre of the Oppressed to move towards an end to the occupation. Recently London theatre group Cardboard Citizens invited a former Israeli officer to share his experience of making theatre for peace. Cardboard Citizens, the theatre group, is well known for working with homeless and displaced people to create vibrant, edgy shows. Its latest play, Glass House, opens today and is expected to garner rapturous reviews. But the group is less known for …