International Women's Day
#choosetochallenge
Mon 8 Mar
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To honour International Women’s Day and celebrate all things female, we have chatted to Zoe and Florence, the founders of the world’s first Vagina Museum, located here in Camden Market.
1. What are the aims of the Vagina Museum and where did the idea come from?
“There’s a penis museum in Iceland, but until now, there’s been no equivalent for the vagina anywhere in the world. Our mission is to spread awareness of the gynaecological anatomy, give people the confidence to talk about issues surrounding the gynaecological anatomy, and smash stigma and shame. Museums reflect what society deems important and cherish. By creating a Vagina Museum, we’re giving a clear statement that this is something which is valued.”
2. You are the world’s first museum of its kind, why was it important for you to build this brand/create this experience and how do you hope to grow it in the future?
“Shame and stigma creates a climate of silence and body negativity. 65% of young women have a problem with even the words “vagina” and “vulva”, and a third have avoided going to the doctor about a gynaecological issue out of embarrassment. We’re here to show the world that there is nothing shameful about vaginas, and empower people to talk about a part of the body which half of the world has. The Vagina Museum’s first premises in Camden Market provides a space where vaginas, vulvas and the gynaecological anatomy are normalised and celebrated.”
3. What’s the best advice you could give female entrepreneurs or women who want to start their own business?
“The Vagina Museum went from a tweet made by our founder and director Florence Schechter in March 2017 to a museum with a fixed premises which opened in November 2019. No idea is too wild: you can make it happen!”
4. Do you think it’s important that we celebrate International Women’s Day? Why?
“International Women’s Day provides an opportunity to look at the achievements which have been made in the past, and to come together to look at what still needs to be done. In the UK and around the world, inequalities persist and there is a lot of work to be done, in particular to address racism, transphobia, lesbophobia and disablism to achieve justice for all. The history we look back to on International Women’s Day shows us that progress can be made, which gives us strength to fight for more.”
To find out more about the Vagina Museum, upcoming virtual events and their reopening, visit the website and follow them on Instagram @vagina_museum.
The future is female! To be part of the conversation and learn more about International Women’s Day, click here, where you can find virtual events and resources.
#CHOOSETOCHALLENGE #IWD2021