Femen (eBook)

Femen is a feminist protest group which was founded in Ukraine in 2008 by Anna Hutso, Oksana Shachko, Alexandra Shevchenko and Inna Shevchenko, who are among its key members. They have attracted worldwide attention for a series of high-profile protests at key international events and currently live in exile in France.

Manifesto vii

A Movement of Free Women: Preface by Galia

Ackerman xiii

Part I: The Gang of Four

1. Inna, a Quiet Hooligan 3

2. Anna, the Instigator 13

3. Sasha, the Shy One 24

4. Oksana, the Iconoclast 34

Part II: Action

5. 'Ukraine Is Not a Brothel' 43

6. No More Nice Quiet Protests 68

7. Femen Goes All Out 89

8. In Belarus: A Dramatic Experience 105

9. Femen Gets Radical 117

10. 'I'm Stealing Putin's Vote!' 122

11. Naked Rather Than in a Niqab! 128

12. Femen France 150

13. Our Dreams, Our Ideals, Our Men 161

One Year Later: Afterword by Galia Ackerman 168

Notes 182

"Femen and Everyday Sexism are two breakthrough movements to emerge
in recent times, and they bring their own distinct 'manifestos' in
book form. Both confirm that feminism is no longer a dirty word
among twentysomethings but also that the ideology manifests itself
differently from their campaigning Second Wave predecessors."

The Independent

"With Femen, we are dealing with something new ... Its activists
are charting a new route for public discourse about women and
religion, and making it an unabashedly universal discourse,
venturing into realms where they may be hated, and they may yet pay
a high price for this. But that they have gotten people talking,
even shouting and crying, is undeniable, and it is good; only
through debate and discussion, sometimes painful, often unsettling,
will we progress."

The Atlantic

"Femen's aims are straightforward, broad and radical. A war
on patriarchy on three fronts, calling for an end to all religions,
dictatorship and the sex industry."

The Guardian

"Part manifesto part biography this is Ukranian protest
group FEMEN in their own words. Currently exiles in France, the
four key members outline their objectives and sextremist tactics. A
timely look at their 'non-violent but highly aggressive' topless
brand of feminist activism."

Diva Magazine

"This account will inspire activists and inform scholars
for generations."

Publishers Weekly