body

Feminism demands a future free of fat shaming, body obsession and the male gaze.

My Life
A Glimpse My sister and I were at my grandmother’s house lying on a mattress that was placed on the floor. We were down on the mattress when uncle Jean walked into the room, inebriated - his breathe, reeking alcohol. I was only eight years old at that time and my sister was just four. He laid on the mattress with us at the bottom where our feet were positioned, with Vaseline in his hands. Curiosity wouldn’t let me be as I stare oddly at what he was about to do with the Vaseline. Few seconds later, I felt a sensation down my feet; uncle Jean was massaging my feet with the Vaseline. I remember him going up my legs and that of my sister’s too, but I can’t remember anything else from those filthy sessions. Years later, Tanya, my sister, came to consciously remember what had happened to her; she remembered being molested.
By Dawana Davis6 years ago in Viva
Sexualising Women’s Bodies in Yoga
The other day I had a nasty encounter with a man in the street. In order to get to my point quicker I’ll keep this part short, but he was incredibly vile. He followed and verbally harassed me in a sexual manner whilst grabbing and rubbing his penis from the outside of his shorts. I said the only thing I could think to say in the moment which was, “You’re a c*nt!”, and tried to move on.
By Freya Edmondson 6 years ago in Viva
Why did you stay silent?
“Why did you stay silent for so many years?” is my favourite question among all the others I often receive. For a long time I claimed it was my fear of him, my family, or what people would say about me, but the truth is that I was only eight years old when it all started.
By Jatsue Sanvicente6 years ago in Viva
Kegel Exercises: what they are and their benefits
If you have not heard of Kegel exercises, you will surely hear at least hearing the use of Chinese balls to strengthen the pelvic floor. Kegel exercises are a serie of actions developed by Dr. Arnold Kegel in the 1940s for patients with urinary incontinence. Yes, it was a man who created that women strengthen our vagina today.
By Astarothkuu6 years ago in Viva
Experience that changed my life
I am 21 years old woman and it is just the perspective of my, young woman, who are not against all men, view. I can start with statistics and all the data around the world about how many, how young girls have been sexually attacked, insulted or just manipulated by opposite of sex. Even though, this time I am going to talk just about my experience.
By Mysterious A6 years ago in Viva
I Know Why They Call You a "Hoe"
I KNOW. I know what it is like to be molested. I know how it feels to be violated by a family member and a friend of the family. I know what it is like to have to keep the secret out of fear that you will get in trouble or hurt if you tell. I know what it is like to be molested by someone of the same sex, and in turn become confused about your own sexuality. I know what it is like to think that you were just ‘playing a game’ when in fact someone was stealing your innocence. I know how it feels to be so ashamed that you cannot even tell your closest friends, because you do not want them to look at you or your family differently. I know what it is like to feel as if you are going to throw up when someone touches you in the same way that an abuser touched you, even if that abuse happened 30 years ago.
By Aly Oh6 years ago in Viva
Catcalling Is NOT a Compliment
For most, the ideology that catcalling is not flattery of any sort, is pretty clear. But it’s for those who don’t see catcalling as problematic that we must shine light to such a curable annoyance. Now, catcalling can be binary, but it’s an alarming amount of men that don’t see any harm in objectifying women. It is more annoying than anything else being one step away from physical harrasment,yet, guys have been getting a bit more creative during Covid-19. It took a pandemic to finally bring relief to Westernized women. Yes!, finally, we can protect ourselves not only from germs, but predators as well. The masks that are tirelessly stressed and emphasized by the FdA and the CDC are now a requirement for any social activity. They cover roughly 50% of face, aren't very cute nor comfortable but very practical. Now, I wear sunglasses on the norm so that typically - yea you get the gist. 100% face-covered. Ladies, our faces are literally hidden from the outside world. Shut out. Blinders. Yet, somehow, an ultra pesty, persistent prowling man will still manage to holla'. It is beyond me. A study from the Stop Street Harassment organization, showed that 99% of women have experienced some form of street harassment.
By Cyn Kitt6 years ago in Viva
The Third Date... #MeToo
My First Kiss Two weeks before High School Graduation I finally got the courage to talk to the first guy I ever felt feelings for. I was warned by friends that I should be careful. I said I would take it slow and I did take it slow. After High School Graduation we discussed our first date. During this time I lived thirty minutes away from him and neither of us had our licenses but we were both 18. We were just late bloomers when it came to getting a license. For the first date we agreed on a place near his house so met each other there at the place.
By Jan Jas6 years ago in Viva
My Rape, Changed My Life.
Some women have a higher body count because they’re put in a sexual situation that involves pressure from a man. “I’ve said no - and they beat me.”
By Allyson Flower6 years ago in Viva
Women Hold Up Half the Sky
Women Hold Up Half the Sky The room had flowered wallpaper—tiny pink flowers on a taupe background. On the wall, a mother and child rocked gently, sweetly, under a breeze-blown willow. In the room itself, surrounded by poles, tubes, and silver things, a clean bed quietly waited, a large white pillow poised to cradle a weary head. Over the side rail hung a thick, fluffy tan blanket, needed as much for cushioning as for warmth. Across from the bed, a tall, burnt-honey wooden cupboard stood, doors open, offering hangers and extra blankets. A freckled ivy sprawled over the top. A kind young orderly attended to my safety and comfort as he eased my swollen body from the wheelchair to the bed.
By Lisa Smith6 years ago in Viva
Murky Halloween
As a freshman in college, I had never been to high school, and therefore, really had little to no social life experience. I associated with adults primarily and didn't know how to interact with kids my own age (17). I had never really had any experiences with alcohol before and didn't really know what it would do to me.
By Katarina Cirillo6 years ago in Viva
The Sins Of Maryam
Everyone has a dark past. Including Maryam. And hers is something too humiliating to tell. Too vivid to forget. A memory she so desperately prays to erase from her mind. Maryam always prays. Raised as a Muslim, she was taught and trained to oblige and beseech for God’s forgiveness. Five times a day. Yet she can never seem to shake off her past. It keeps lurking around. Stalking. Waiting to pounce and stab her in the back. The more she tries to break away, the more it strangles her. Her dark past is one odd story. One with no marked beginning nor definitive end.
By secretsonneteer6 years ago in Viva