In Ukraine, I documented feminist activists from the group Femen, known primarily for their topless protests. They identify as feminists but emphasize that they promote a new kind of feminism—the sexy feminist—born out of necessity as much as a strong sense of individualism and personal rights. Most of the activists are in their early 20s and hail from the provinces. They either hold university degrees or are still pursuing their studies. FEMEN’s actions address various human rights issues that affect women’s rights both locally and globally. Humor plays a significant role in their work, although not everyone appreciates it. They are fully aware that they will likely be arrested for protesting, and they are facing jail sentences with increasing frequency.
2011, Kyiv, Ukraine
