How Bristol Woman came about

These are the few words I said at the launch of Bristol Woman on November 25, 2013 at the Mauretania:

I never thought I would be interested in women’s rights. I come from Moldova, a former Soviet country, and being raised indoctrinated by the apparent equality of Soviet socialism – I never questioned equality between men and women. It’s not until I started researching trafficking in human beings and other forms of contemporary slavery and violence against women that I started to open my eyes to women’s rights violations and where these come from.  I could not believe it then that I’ve had my eyes wide shut to such systematic violations for so long. As I was learning about case of physical and psychological abuse – my view of the world and of the state of women in the world has changed forever.

I now have two lovely daughters and the oldest one is very outspoken, emotive, and pro-active. If I had a coin for every time she was called a chatter box or bossy, I would not be here today, I would be in the Bahamas enjoying some sun.  But there is a problem to her being called that  - as it is bound to influence her continuing to be outspoken and pro-active into  her teens and adulthood. The youngest one is probably the same, it’s just that she is only 17 months and only learning to express herself.

Even I, being a women’s rights activist get the occasional instinctive urge to tell her to be quiet and listen more, say less, be less “in your face”.  That’s what society would expect. Just like any other women, I easily feel and give in to the pressure of society’s expectations. And then when we look around and see that women are underrepresented in decision making and leadership roles, we wonder “why?”.

Why is it that:

• Women make up 50% of the population of Bristol, but only 24% are councillors. This is (name how many people in the room)?
• Private businesses and public boards average  24% women on Boards?
• There is lack of funding for women only spaces?
• Women have such low self esteem, and even women in high level positions systematically underestimate their abilities?
• Self-harm among young women, eating disorders, pressures from boys are on the rise?
• Over 40,000 women experience violence and abuse of some kind (1/3 of the crime in Bristol is domestic violence, of which 85% is violence against women by men)?

We have to start somewhere, and what other place than unpicking the extraordinary lives of ordinary women – women that help shape Bristol.

When I first started working with women in South Bristol, it was another eye opener. Every day I met extraordinary women who managed to survive and raise children with a limited income, young women discriminated against and patronised because they had children at an early age, women who have survived domestic abuse but were still walking strongly in life, women who were dreaming about setting up their businesses but had no idea where to start. These were extraordinary lives. But also very ordinary women. And as I was learning more and more about their everyday struggles and hurdles, a few things that have emerged are that:

• Women’s magazines, as a platform for women to talk about their issues are disempowering – the topics are often patronising and diminish a woman’s life to her accessories or shoes.
• Women’s bodies in mass media are not in line with our real bodies when we look in the mirror creating serious issues for our physical and mental health, and  
• Mental health and wellbeing is still a very stigmatised issue and channels to get things out into a public debate are very limited.

Before I knew it, a small army of women were going out and about, interviewing other women about what they would like to see in a women’s magazine in Bristol.

The main comments about existing magazines were that:

• There is too much advertisement for health and beauty, aimed at women with large disposable incomes;
• There are not enough stories about “real women” “ordinary, everyday women”, “women next door”;
• They feature same/similar articles in all magazines, and are not local; and
• They have a negative impact on body image and are “focused on pleasing men”
• They seem to ravel in women’s mistakes (perhaps because that makes those women a bit more ordinary – through failure – but  there are other ways to outline stories about ordinary women)

What women want to see more is:

• Local news, events and gigs (including sport, stories, community and crime) - 93%
• Information about local opportunities, and inspirational local success stories – 74%
• Politics and current affairs, the way national policies will impact local services – 68%
•  True life stories – 61%

Before I knew it, lots of ordinary, but inspirational women have come together to make a Bristol Women’s magazine a reality:

Bernie who strongly believes and pushes for women’s presence through communications channels;

Sian who is so passionate about women’s rights she manages to support so many organisations across the city and beyond

Sam, who is so passionate about offering practical support for women she makes me believe we will change the world one day

Jane, a mum of 2 happy to openly talk about the ups and downs of motherhood to anyone, bringing tears to my eyes with how true our plight with body image expectations is

Penny and Daniella empowering women to take on more leading roles in Bristol

Sian and Kerry, being very outspoken and bringing a local spin to the global issue of violence against women and girls.

Vicki, changing the lives of women and their families in south Bristol

Jane, actively supporting women in comedy

Jenny, promoting the case of Fairtrade for women, so that we can see that our purchases and actions in Bristol can impact

Pauline, speaking out about racism and sexism in music videos

Sarah, sharing her passion for reading

Ultimately, there is also something that I want to achieve through this magazine. Because does anyone really want to do anything without a little selfish motive?  I want a 50/50 city, where women are equally presented in the public and private sector, a city where not 20%, but less than .2% are subjected to violence and abuse. A place where women share stories, learn from each other, are happy to express themselves and are confident in their bodies.

Do I think I will get to see this my lifetime? Not a chance! But  Bristol Woman can lay the foundation for us to discuss the problems and barriers women have. And this can ensure my two daughters will be able to live in a more equal world.