The indefatigable MDI Speaker, Zara Faris is to do another debate on Feminism. This time at UCL (University of London) on the topic ‘This House believes Slutwalks Harms Feminism’.

What’s ‘Slutwalks’ you say? Well…its a complicated internal debate amongst Feminists – with Feminists on one side advocating protests with women wearing revealing clothes (called ‘slutwalks’) to advocate that women should be allowed to wear sexually explicit or very revealing clothes in public and not be ashamed for it or face negative social reactions – they argue that Liberation of women’s ‘sexual autonomy’ (yes, ‘autonomy’ a buzzword from the creed of individualism) cannot come about unless they claim the word ‘slut’ for themselves and be proud of it. They argue that Women claiming the word ‘slut’ offers women ’empowerment’.

The other side of the debate argues that the protests ‘sends the wrong messages’ and may contribute to sexual objectification of women, and the conforming to ‘male defined attitudes of sexuality’ – however the ‘against side’ are not too different from the other side. They too advocate women’s ‘sexual autonomy’ and freedom to wear very revealing clothes without suffering any kind of negative social reaction.

So where’s the difference between the two? Not really a difference in ideology, but in PR. On side says ‘Slutwalks’ harms the PR profile of Feminism, the other says it doesn’t.

Into this debate, Zara Faris was invited – let’s make dua (supplication) for her success. The event is this Monday 8th December 2014 at UCL.

7pm
J Z Young Lecture Theatre,
Anatomy Building
University College London
Follow link for further details from the organisers.