Say no to misogyny on campus – support Portsmouth’s Women’s Officer
Tomorrow Portsmouth University Student Union will be debating whether or not to keep the Athletic Union’s ‘Naked Calendar’ after pictures of women students that were pictured in it ended up on pornographic forums where they have been viewed and commented on thousands of times.
Becky Gardner the Women’s Officer of Portsmouth University Student Union has been leading a campaign to have the ‘Naked Calendar’ banned.
Student Broad Left encourages women student representatives, representatives from NUS liberation campaigns and the wider student community to send messages of support to Becky ahead of the debate tomorrow by emailing womensofficer@upsu.net.
Fiona Edwards of the Student Broad Left and a former SU Women’s Officer said:
“Student Unions have an important role to play in tackling sexual harassment and violence which blights the lives of millions of women students every year.
By allowing the Athletic Union to produce its ‘Naked Calendar’ – which resulted in photos of women students that took part being reproduced on pornographic websites – Portsmouth University Students’ Union has undermined its duty to fight for equality and to ensure the safety of women students on campus.
I find it shocking that the Student Union is now facilitating ‘The Naked Debate’ which will allow men – including the head of the Athletic Union responsible for this abuse of women – to decide whether or not this objectification should continue.
This incident underlines why women’s representation in Student Unions and elsewhere is so vital. I suggest that Portsmouth University Students’ Union take the advice of their Women’s Officer and scrap the ‘Naked Calendar’ and take steps to promote a safe environment for women students instead.”
Aaron Kiely, NUS NEC said:
“This is the 21st Century, and such calendars belong in the past. It is entirely inappropriate for something produced by a Union to objectify women – all student unions should be safe spaces which champion equality and dignity for all its members.
The ‘Naked Calendar’ should have been discontinued a long time ago, but as Portsmouth Union decides whether it will continue the practice it is important to send support to the Women’s Officer, Becky Gardner ahead of the decision. Becky has been doing exactly what a liberation officer should be doing and straightforwardly challenging sexism and misogyny within society.”
Email your support to womensofficer@upsu.net.
