A group of local feminists are embracing their inner rebelle.

The FemRev Collective, founded in Winnipeg in 2007, is working to better women’s lives and improve society through local actions, marches and education campaigns from a feminist perspective.

FemRev is a collective of 70 women (and men allies) from across Manitoba under the umbrella organization RebELLEs, a Canadian network of young feminists. FemRev works with other local organizations like Winnipeg CopWatch and the Winnipeg New Socialist Group.
“We seek to end violence against women,” said Sarah K. Granke, a member of FemRev. “We also want to see access to free, safe abortions, contraception and holistic sexual health education for women and ensure that everyone has access to education and basic human rights, regardless of gender.”

FemRev is organizing the second national RebELLEs gathering for feminists aged 14 to 35, which will take place in Winnipeg over the May long weekend in 2011. It will be a women-only space but open to those who are two-spirited and gender queer.

“The gathering is women-only in order to safely organize,” said Lissie Rappaport, a FemRev member. “This space just doesn’t exist when men are present.”

FemRev recognizes the value in having men as allies, Rappaport noted, and welcomes men who want to help organize the gathering or take part in any other marches or education campaigns.

The aim of the gathering is to increase networks and build upon momentum that began at the first gathering in Quebec City last year.

While FemRev is not a University of Winnipeg campus group, they do collaborate with the Womyns’ Centre.

“ We seek to end violence against women. We also want to see access to free, safe abortions, contraception and holistic sexual health education for women and ensure that everyone has access to education and basic human rights, regardless of gender.

Sarah K. Granke, FemRev member

“We work collectively and help each other out and share knowledge and skills,” said Shimby Zegeye-Gebrehiwot, co-ordinator of the U of W Womyns’ Centre.

The U of W’s department of Women’s and Gender Studies and the Institute for Women’s and Gender Studies encourage FemRev through mentorship.

“I support FemRev in developing activist skills and leadership skills,” said Roewan Crowe, co-director of the Institute of Women’s and Gender Studies and faculty member with the Department of Women’s and Gender Studies. “I create space for them where I can, share financial resources and help with grant writing.”

The first action the group undertook was organizing a march for International Women’s Day in 2008. They have organized and held marches every March 8 since then with nearly 300 supporters in the 2010 event.

FemRev is also taking part in the World March of Women, an international organization of women marching for feminist ideals around the world in places like the Congo and Bolivia. In Manitoba, the march will emphasize the protection of Aboriginal women’s rights, among other values.

The group has also undertaken education campaigns and handed out pamphlets to let the public know about the impact that government decisions have on issues like pay equity and abortion.

In 2009, members held a rally, as part of the National Decentralized Day of Action, on abortion to protest Bill C484. This bill would have granted rights to the fetus which, FemRev protested, would have opened the door for abortion to be criminalized.

While this bill did not pass, cabinet members have brought others like it forward since then, according to collective member Lissie Rappaport.

Published in Volume 65, Number 2 of The Uniter (September 9, 2010)