manifesto

We need to TALK

It’s time to CHANGE outdated attitudes

It’s time to STOP the normalization of genocide and rape

It’s time to ADDRESS and CHANGE the REPRESENTATION of women

  1. Conversation is key. We need to talk and listen.

  2. We need to consider multiple perspectives; discuss and address the representation of women in the arts and society; and we need to acknowledge and change outdated attitudes in order to stop the normalization of genocide and rape.

  3. We need to create safe spaces in which this may be accomplished.

  4. We need to change the narrative and explore new themes celebrating and honouring women.

  • Rape is never acceptable under any circumstances.

  • Women can and indeed should be valued for more than sexuality, however luscious or entertaining this may be.

  • Women deserve to be celebrated for ALL our contributions in this world: for our wisdom and wise counsel; our compassion, insight, indignation, rage, joy, love; beauty and sensitivity, as much as for being vehicles for new life on the planet,

  • Women of all ages and cultures deserve to be shown in a new light: positive and empowering, celebrating our actions, reflecting our varied perspectives and experiences.

  • Focusing on sexuality, whether represented by male artists or presented by female/LGBTQ2ia+ artists, still yields the same end result: that of perpetuating the myth that beyond sexuality women have no inherent value.

  • The time is now, particularly in the wake of the #MeToo movement, that women of all ages, cultures and strata of society be recognized for who we are, what we do or have done in the world, as well as for why and how we are getting things done.

  • The time is now to advocate, promote and produce new images of women today, so that the women of tomorrow may forge new directions with a new understanding of value and viability.

  • Cultivate conversation; contextualize misogynist/sexist artworks (art, music, theatre, literature); and acknowledge existing great works as stemming from now-outdated attitudes, so that they may no longer be active participants in endorsing rape culture.