Nude protests

Nude protests are counter culture protest that involve pubic nudity. They are often unrelated naturism. Naturists and nudists often participate in nude protests about social issues as an act of solidarity. The social issues that evoke nude protests vary widely.  Political issues, veganism, topless equality, body positivity, environmental issues, sexual freedom, religious freedom and gender issues have been subjects of nude protests.

Nude protests have a tenuous connection with naturism, but nudity has been used as a way to give voice to protesters and show solidarity with a cause for centuries. From the legendary Lady Godiva to the current modern day  World Naked Bike Ride.

The most popular of nude protests that have been embraced by naturists is the World Naked Bike Ride. WNBR protests promote the reduction of fossil fuel and use of clean energy sources.  In recent years body positivity was added as a focus. Rides happen around the world and differing times a year.

Women around the world have used their naked bodies as a symbol of protest. From the legendary Lady Godiva in Europe to women in the Middle East and Latin America

There is a history of nude protests African women, notably in Uganda and Kenya. Nangayi Guyson discussing this history writes

“Naked protests in Africa have historically been symbolic forms of collective protest, generally by the poorest and most marginalised women in society,” says Aili Mari Tripp, Professor of Political Science and Gender & Women’s Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. “Women have used these forms of protest throughout history and in many parts of the world, but especially in Africa.” ¹Undress for redress: The rise of naked protests in Africa”

 

This video is footage of the Nude Protest for International Women’s Day in March 2014 in Paris, France, in front of the Louvre.

Maryam Namazie participated in this protest with other women from several countries in the Middle East and North Africa (e.g. Egypt and Iran as referenced in the video above).

The main chant for the protest :

Liberté: Freedom

Égalité: Equality

Laïcité: Secularism

In this brief video clip, women speak to creating solidarity amongst women in the Arab world, in the Islamic world. They say they are taking a stand against issues including Sharia law, sexism, stoning, the veil and more. They are promoting religious freedom, with one woman stating, “We must put religion aside and allow people to live as they want to live. No one has rights over my body. I am in charge of my body, I do what I want.”

From her original post on her participation in the protest, Namazie writes:

Today, 8 March, International Women’s Day, Amina Sboui, Aliaa Magda Elmahdy, Solmaz Vakilpour, Safia Lebdi, Meriam Russel and myself protested nude in support of women’s rights in the Middle East and North Africa at the Louvre in Paris.

Leif Heilberg, September 2018

Dubbed the naked Athena, a woman stood in opposition to Federal troops to protest their presence and treatment protester in Portland Oregon. She was wearing nothing but a mask and a knit cap.

University students have also used nudity as a form of protest against issues such as dress code that are perceiving to be unfair or overly restrictive. ² Students strip in protest over dress code at Kaposvar University in Hungary

References

• 1
  Undress for redress: The rise of naked protests in Africa”
• 2
  Students strip in protest over dress code at Kaposvar University in Hungary