Next debate: Is feminism outdated?

DATE: THURSDAY 15 JULY

TIME: 7.30PM - 9.30PM

VENUE: HARCOURT ARMS, W1H 4HX

MOTION: THIS HOUSE BELIEVES FEMINISM IS OUTDATED


Background:

The history of feminism, widely understood as the struggle for equality of the sexes, is as long as the history of civilisation itself: famous feminists can be traced back as far as ancient Greece if not further. The last century, however, has arguably seen greater progress for women's rights, across the world than at any other time.

The suffragettes secured the legal and political rights that paved the way for the women who now occupy top positions in businesses, courtrooms, and governments too. The second wave of feminism in the 1960s and 1970s fought for social equality, campaigning for contraception, abortion rights, sexual harrasment laws, and a general reversal of attitudes towards women.

So, is the struggle now over? Or has it at least changed enough to render the traditional feminist outlook on the world obsolete? You decide.

Join the debate:

There will be four speakers in this debate, each of whom will have five minutes to make their case. After that there will be an extensive Q&A session to allow the audience plenty of time to have their own say from the floor. The motion will then be put to a vote.

There's always plenty of time to grab a drink and get settled before the event starts and we always stick around for a few more once it's over as inevitably that is always when the real debating begins.

If you have any questions or need any more information, do not hesitate to email me at central.debating@gmail.com

Getting there:

If you would like to watch this debate, then simply come along on the night. You will find us in the upstairs dining room of the Harcourt Arms pub at 32, Harcourt Street W1H 4HX (a max 1o min walk from Baker St tube). For directions, see this map.

Admission:

Admission is, as ever, totally free of charge. All are welcome, so if you know anyone who might be interested in this debate, do feel free to bring them along.

Further reading

Background info:

1) A brief history of feminism - New Internationalist

2) What is feminism? - Wikipedia

3) UK Equality Act 2010 (summary) - Government Equalities Office


Arguments for the motion:

4) Women: are we equal now? - Spiked Online

5) Why I'm not a feminist, but a womanist - Guardian

6) The social movement left out - SOA Watch


Arguments against the motion:

7) Is feminism dead? New Statesman

8) Feminism today - Guardian

9) The third wave of feminism - The F-word


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Best Wishes

Tony