The reform of the Gender Recognition Act (2004) in Scotland caused shockwaves to many so-called feminists on social media in recent days. Furiously blanking through the echo chamber of Twitter were messages and misinformation with J.K. Rowling at the helm.…
Over the coming months, Backbench will be partnering with Torrin Wilkins, Director of Centre Think Tank for a series of comment pieces. In his column, Torrin will explore prominent policy issues – some of them related to the latest news…
“Where is Global Britain on the streets of Kabul” exclaimed Theresa May in response to Britain and the US’ humiliating withdrawal from Kabul. Kabul had fallen only a few days earlier on the 15th August and parallels to the 1956…
Last week’s shooting in Plymouth heralded a moment of national horror. The worst mass shooting since 2010, Jake Davison’s murder of five others and ultimate suicide rocked the UK, a country where we rarely have to deal with the spectre…
I have spent the last few days feeling deeply unsettled. Like many people, I can’t stop thinking about what happened to Sarah Everard. My feelings are a mix of sadness, anger, fear and frustration. Ending violence against women is something…
The gut-wrenching, heart-breaking news came on Wednesday night that human remains were discovered in Kent where police have been searching for thirty-three-year-old Sarah Everard after she disappeared a week ago while walking home from a friend’s house in Clapham, London. The idea…
This piece is part of a series exploring 2021’s International Women’s Day theme #ChooseToChallenge. Pieces from Backbench’s editors represent their personal views and not those of Backbench itself. If you would like to get in touch regarding the series or…
Make no mistake: I am not a fan of Carrie Symonds. Equally, this doesn’t mean that I am content to watch idly while legitimate criticism of her is is railroaded through channels of misogynistic fanfare. The news that the Bow…
From 8 March (International Women’s Day) till the end of the month, Backbench would love to feature articles from writers considering this year’s International Women’s Day theme: #ChoosetoChallenge. The theme centres on an encouragement to people everywhere to call out…
A recent study from the University of Washington has found that women reporting sexual harassment are more likely to be believed if they conform to stereotypes of femininity and normative beauty standards. Participants in the study displayed strong beliefs that…