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…
This end of year review is part of a series from Backbench’s editorial team as they consider some of the themes that have dominated 2020. The views expressed in these reviews are those of the editors themselves and do not…
This end of year review is part of a series from Backbench’s editorial team as they consider some of the themes that have dominated 2020. The views expressed in these reviews are those of the editors themselves and do not…
I tend to steer clear of YouTube content promoting the dubious agenda of men’s rights activism, but unfortunately, it wasn’t to be. When I read the news of English teacher Will Knowland’s dismissal from Eton for refusing to take down…
Sometimes, I like to pretend to myself that we’ve moved on from a world where women and girls are judged for what they wear. I can’t pretend for long though, because something usually crops up that makes continuing with that…