Femen, a group of radical feminists and activists calling themselves “the new Amazons”, are campaigning to challenge patriarchy.
The group, founded in Ukraine in 2008, has broad aims to bring down patriarchy through the destruction of the sex industry, dictatorships and religion. Members of the group campaign topless, unsmiling, using “sextremism” to lure journalists into covering their activities.
Their members have taken action at a number of public events, including the 2012 London Olympics and have staged attacks against individuals with protest slogans painted across their breasts.
The movement is developing a worldwide network of activists, some of whom face more serious consequences than others for their actions.
A 19-year-old member of Femen Tunisia, identified only as Amina, has received death threats after she was pictured smoking on Facebook with the words “my body belongs to me, and is not the source of anyone’s honour” written on her chest.
A Muslim cleric said that, according to Sharia law, Amina should receive 80-100 lashes but, in view of her extreme actions and fearing that her radicalism would influence other women, she should be stoned to death.
It has since been reported that Amina has gone missing, some claiming that she has been committed to a psychiatric unit.
Amina has received messages of support on twitter from individuals, atheist groups and campaigners including Richard Dawkins, author of The God Delusion, who joined calls for a day of action in support of the young Tunisian.
