Tomlinson, M.K. orcid.org/0000-0002-2372-7849 (2023) 'Periods don’t stop for pandemics’: the implications of COVID-19 for online and offline menstrual activism in Great Britain. Women's Studies in Communication, 46 (3). pp. 289-311. ISSN 0749-1409
Abstract
Menstrual activists have long adopted an intersectional approach in their work to reduce period poverty, eradicate menstrual stigma, and educate audiences about health and sustainability. By forcing offline activities to cease, COVID-19 created unprecedented barriers for menstrual activists, including the closure of offline spaces and social distancing. Lockdown, however, provided a unique opportunity to assess the effectiveness of digital activism and created valuable knowledge that will have a long-term impact on the aims and practices of menstrual activists. Interviews conducted with 32 menstrual activists across Great Britain demonstrate that although digital technologies help to raise awareness among more privileged audiences, they are less effective for conducting intersectional activism that supports communities who are disadvantaged by factors such as race, class, or disability. Furthermore, as activists often focus on the material needs of menstruating women and people, relying solely on digital communication considerably reduces the effectiveness of their work.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2023 The Organization for Research on Women and Communication. This is an author-produced version of a paper subsequently published in Women's Studies in Communication. Uploaded in accordance with the publisher's self-archiving policy. |
Keywords: | activism; digital communication; menstruation; intersectionality; materiality |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Sheffield |
Academic Units: | The University of Sheffield > Faculty of Social Sciences (Sheffield) > Department of Journalism Studies (Sheffield) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Sheffield |
Date Deposited: | 06 Apr 2023 16:14 |
Last Modified: | 22 Dec 2024 01:13 |
Published Version: | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/07491... |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Taylor and Francis Group |
Refereed: | Yes |
Identification Number: | 10.1080/07491409.2023.2222365 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:197949 |