We are a London-based kolektiv.
We meet regularly – we’ve just decided to meet every Monday evening, from 5pm onwards – and in different venues/parts of London.
Check the ‘future kolektiv meetings’ page for more details of the theme each week.
As a kolektiv, we want to fight patriarchy and capitalism, redefine gender roles, get organised and create a culture of solidarity amongst ourselves.
We had a fortnightly “reading group” until recently – we will still be meeting up and discussing issues (and things we’ve read) but not necessarily every fortnight.
We’ve also had a herbal skill-share group, which has met up and learnt about herbs together, and also made all kinds of herbal remedies, lotions, soaps, creams and tinctures. In the autumn we produced a zine called ‘Chickweed’, we aim for this to be seasonal, and come out twice a year, so we’re busy creating a spring issue now!
Last year we ran a monthly bike-fixing session at 56a, on the first sunday of each month. As well as a class in a particular area of bike maintenance (so far we’ve looked at brakes, gear systems, wheel-truing and punctures), taught by women mechanics, it’s an opportunity to hang out, borrow tools, get advice and give your bike some much-needed attention! We are still deciding when we will be running these sessions this year – however it’s definitely NOT happening on sunday 5th April!
Other events that we’ve organised in the past year include a weekend of sharing practical diy & squatting skills; a few climbing sessions (using harnesses and ropes to climb trees and street furniture, and learning about knots; a feminist health weekend (with a wide range of practical workshops as well as discussion).
We are organising a street medic training weekend (for all genders, not just women and trans people) from Friday 10th-Sunday 12th April. We’ll be asking everyone to donate £ towards the costs of the training. There are a limited number of spaces, so get in touch now if you’d like to come!
All events are open to women and trans people. Our kolektiv uses consensus to make decisions, and aims to be non-hierarchical.
nick: we’re against matriarchy as much as we’re against patriarchy.
7 responses so far ↓
nick wakefield // October 24, 2008 at 12:24 pm
As I see your a women/trans only organisation.
What does ‘re-defining gender roles’ mean ?
As a man, how do you define my role in the world ?
Also, if patriachy is wrong …..is matriachy any better ? If so, who for ?
thanks
nick
anarchafeministkolektiv // October 29, 2008 at 9:08 pm
Hi Nick,
What we mean by “redefining gender roles”, is challenging definitons/ideas/stereotypes of gender. As I am sure you are aware there are ideas/structures/institutions/traditions that seek to prescribe what women, men, transfolk, people can and should do, how we should behave and what place and role we take in society according to our gender. Perhaps “redefing gender roles” isn’t strong enough, we seek to challenge and smash all restrictive prescribed ideas about gender. We seek this for the benefit of everyone not just women and trans people.
We would never try to define your role as a man in the world, but patriarchy does.
Patriarchy is wrong, and a matriarchy would be no better. As anarchists we seek an end to all oppressions and hierarchies of power, that includes hierarchies among women and among feminists.
Thanks for your comment.
Please visit here again,
Una
isabella // November 4, 2008 at 9:15 pm
great answer una!
i like the blog.
i will keep visiting it and perhaps will come to one of your reading group meeting at the infoshop 56a.
ciao.
anarchafeministkolektiv // November 5, 2008 at 7:09 pm
would love for you to come along Isabella,
u
Susie M // November 20, 2008 at 11:37 am
As a feminist I think we should stand for universal rights as citizens – autonomy, freedom and equality, in the home, in the workplace, in government and the public space, and all areas of decision making.
Let’s keep it simple.
Almost all the world’s current cultures are based on 3000 years of patriarchal religion, and assert physical strength of men and not intellectual ability. Not on universal respect and equality, but on the Brotherhood of Man, worship of the father – women as inferior and subservient. It is constantly reinforced by inculcating prejudices based on elitism of class, race & gender and stereotyping of men and boys as ‘naturally’ aggressive and ambitious and women as compliant, pretty and useful – through the commercial interests of the media, the publishing and advertising industries and producers of toys, games, clothes & other products. It can be seen in any toyshop or baby-wear shop.
We have a long way to go.
We will be able to say that things have changed for women and oppressed minorities when we have equal pay and pensions, family and child care based on citizenship and not ownership by the man who is responsible for our upkeep; when we share work in the home and family and in the workplace on an equal footing with our partners. When all families with children can survive on the equivalent of one full time job, so that both could work part time and work properly valued not upon grossly unfair differentials based on elitist criteria.
Attitudes to and treatment of women have improved very little relative to the advances enjoyed by the whole of society.
And as recent events show, women patronising women – if this is ‘matriarchy’ is worse
jeff laster // May 29, 2009 at 5:18 pm
I am putting on a debate called SWINE FLEW: IS CAPITALISM FINISHED at Inspiral Cafe, Camden Town on Thursday eve, June 4. Inspiral Cafe is a gathering place for various segments of the Alternative Culture putting on relevant talks on current issues.
Due to a late withdrawal, I need a female panelist to oppose capitalism. I already have as panelists Professor Chris Knight (well known radical academic), Thomas Papworth (Liberal Democrat councillor) and Chris Mounsey (founder, Libertarian Party).
Can you help me find someone? I am desperate to find a female panelist for this debate. Anne-Marie at Feminist Fightback recommended you. Please let me know as soon as possible.
Many thanks,
Best, Jeff Laster 01865 308973
londonfreeschool // June 11, 2009 at 10:51 pm
hello lafk!
there’s a freeschool on squatting, housing and gentrification happening next weekend, 19th – 21st June… as part of this we are planning on having a session looking at the no pretence statement (http://nopretence.wordpress.com), how it made people feel and how it relates to the squatting ‘movement’… would be really amazing if people involved in anarcha-feminist groups would be able to be there to help facilitate the discussion.. if anyone would be willing to do a workshop something along the lines of ‘an introduction to anarcha-feminism’ that would also be amazing…
we will be meeting tomorrow (friday) evening to finalise the timetable, would be good if we could hear before then about whether there’s any interest… the discussion looking at the statement will go ahead either way but if there’s dates/times you can’t make please let us know and we will try to fit around you…
if you could email deschooling_society…at…lists.riseup.net in response
sorry for the short notice.