6 Unforgettable Female Protests That Shook the World

Throughout history, women have staged countless iconic protests that have paved the way for the freedoms we cherish today. These include the freedom of movement, the right to choose our education and careers, and the autonomy to decide whom to date and have intimate relationships with. Women continue to fight for expanded rights and the repeal of absurd laws. However, some protest actions seem truly bizarre and may not benefit society. Let’s explore some of the most controversial female performances that have sparked outrage.

The Reincarnation of Saint Orlan

In the project “The Reincarnation of Saint Orlan,” French artist Orlan underwent a series of plastic surgeries in front of hundreds of spectators. Her goal was to achieve a new look based on famous paintings, including Botticelli’s “Venus” and the Mona Lisa. Orlan aimed to show how individuality dissolves into an image that conforms to collective notions of beauty. The surgeries were performed under local anesthesia, allowing her to read passages from psychoanalysis books and interact with viewers who watched the live broadcast.

According to Orlan, this body design was meant to challenge the “capitalist image industry.” However, it did not deter people from seeking plastic surgery. Ultimately, the artist implanted glittery horns into herself, and she can hardly be called a conventional beauty now.

Marina Abramović: Risking It All

Serbian artist Marina Abramović’s performance “Rhythm 0” featured seventy-two objects on a long table, including wine, salt, soap, cake, razor blades, a flute, a metal pipe, a scarf, a scalpel, a gun, and more. For six hours, any visitor could use an object from the table on the artist, who remained motionless. Initially, the audience behaved modestly, but over time, they became increasingly aggressive.

Abramović’s experience shows that if you leave decisions to the public, you might face severe consequences. During the terrifying event, Abramović had her clothes cut and even had a gun pointed at her. The artist faced immense danger but managed to demonstrate the responsibility of collective actions through her bravery. She vividly proved that even the most peaceful society can turn aggressive if it encounters no resistance. The performance could have ended tragically, but Abramović was saved by the reaction of other spectators who pushed away the attackers.

Protest Against Upskirting

The issue of upskirting—the attempt by men to look up a woman’s skirt and photograph her underwear—has gained traction online. Public activist Anna Dovgalyuk reported 300 incidents of such harassment in 2017 alone and organized a protest. However, her performance did not elicit the expected reaction. A video of her social campaign garnered over three million views, but most commentators deemed the action a genuine violation of public order and disrespectful to people. Some even accused Anna of voyeurism, suggesting she enjoyed the attention rather than addressing the problem.

In summary, Anna attracted public attention, but no new administrative laws were proposed.

Feminists Against Global Conspiracies

Feminist Roxy Bolton has a unique perspective on hurricanes. Her greatest outrage is directed at the word “hurricane” itself, which sounds like [her’icane]. She concluded that the term sounds feminine, making it another example of misogyny. How can a destructive natural phenomenon be associated with women? Roxy proposed renaming hurricanes to sound like [him’icane], but the National Weather Service of the United States rejected her suggestions.

Meanwhile, French feminist Luce Irigaray claims that the equation E = mc² is sexist. She sees a male conspiracy in physics, arguing that male physicists deliberately avoid studying fluid mechanics because male bodies lack menstrual fluid. Since 1964, she has been a scientific researcher at the French National Center and continues to prove her theories.

The FEMEN Movement

Activists from the FEMEN group regularly protest against the prohibition of nudity or public breastfeeding. In May 2013, they burned a crucified Barbie doll outside the “Barbie House” building in Berlin. The women were naked, with slogans like “Life in plastic is no fantastic” written on their bodies.

In October, they staged a protest against director Roman Polanski, accused of harassment and pedophilia: “No honor for rapists.” Naked women stormed the building where a retrospective of the director was taking place. Their most popular method is to attract attention through nudity, with slogans expressed on their bodies. Unfortunately, this often attracts the attention of law enforcement.

Spaghetti for the Struggle

Emily Ratajkowski, covered in olive oil and spaghetti, makes a statement in support of feminism! In another advent calendar for LOVE Magazine, she wears nothing but underwear, gloves, and pasta, all in the name of protest.

“How I dress, flirt, dance, and have sex is my choice, and men should not influence it. Being sexual is fun, and I enjoy it. I shouldn’t have to apologize for it. My life, my rules. If I want to wear sexy lingerie, I do it for myself. Personal choice is the key concept in my idea of feminism.”

However, it is quite strange to see a pale, naked woman adorned with food and talk about sexual violence. The message was not understood, especially since the YouTube video is titled “Emily Sexily Eats Spaghetti” and “Beauty Emily Ratajkowski Teases Everyone with a Sexy Dance.” The comments by the actress and model about the photo shoot go unread.