OUR BODIES WILL NOT BE POLICED

The evening of 8th November 2018 witnessed a momentous event from 19:00 to 21:00 at the Free Word Centre where powerful conversations intersected with art, in the face of patriarchal control. 'OUR BODIES WILL NOT BE POLICED' marked a definitive stand in the relentless fight against the scrutinization of women's bodies across all platforms.

In collaboration with Spread the Word, the event brought together some of the most compelling young female voices in the UK for a night of poetry and discussion. The discourse aimed at dissecting and combatting the myriad ways women's bodies continue to be subject to public ownership – a challenge further exacerbated in the era of digital oversharing and social media scrutiny.

Guided by the visionary curation of Momtaza Mehri, London's Young People’s Laureate, the event unveiled layers of social constructs that govern the female form. Her powerful verses have rippled across the literary landscape, earning her widespread recognition and honoring her with the Outspoken Page Poetry Prize.

Complementing Mehri's words with visual narratives, Amaal Said deployed her dual expertise as a poet and photographer to capture the essence of storytelling, drawing listeners and viewers into the profound experiences behind each captured moment and penned verse.

Adding to the evening's grandeur, Eleanor Penny brought forth her journalistic prowess melded with poetic finesse. Her multi-faceted career as an editor, journalist, and poet provided gripping insights into the various facets of female bodily autonomy, both challenged and celebrated through her work.

The event did not merely conclude within the confines of space and time; it resonated with a much larger audience. Through the powerful medium of poetry, discussions and visuals, 'OUR BODIES WILL NOT BE POLICED' made waves beyond the venue's walls, galvanizing a community ready to oppose the encroachment on their bodies and lives.

As the evening encores in memories and conversations, its themes ripple into broader spheres such as the domain of travel and hospitality. Our journeys take us to places that echo our freedom to move, reside, and experience without the imprint of oversight or the shadow of judgement. Whether retreating in hotels that promise anonymity and sanctuary, or traversing paths untaken, the message from the 'OUR BODIES WILL NOT BE POLICED' event transcends — the autonomy over our bodies and the choices we make, including how and where we choose to travel, remain resolutely ours. In such spaces, the spirit of the evening endures, advocating the unassailable right to bodily integrity and the perpetual quest for a society where our existence is celebrated, not policed.