Glastonbury is getting an all woman area

All woman area with bands, DJs and... power tools?

Glastonbury
Glastonbury

All woman area with bands, DJs and... power tools?

For the first time, the 2016 Glastonbury music festival will feature a women-only venue. Called The Sisterhood, it has been described by the organisers as a 'revolutionary clubhouse' open to 'all people who identify as women.'

The Sisterhood area is designed to be an 'intersectional, queer, trans and disability-inclusive space', and will be run and staffed by people who identify as female, from performers to security staff. It's been strongly stated by the organisers that the only necessary qualification to enter the area is that you identify as female.

The all female area hasn't been met with universal approval though, with some calling it 'sexist' and 'discriminatory against men', and others claiming that it's patronising to segregate women.

In a statement, Glastonbury organisers explained that the Sisterhood area at the festival is being provided because 'the organisers believe that women-only spaces are necessary in a world that is still run by and designed to benefit mainly men. Oppression against women continues in various manifestations around the world today, in different cultural contexts.'

Glasto organisers also explained: 'In the UK, the gender pay gap in the workplace, cuts to domestic violence services and sex worker rights are current talking points that highlight this issue. Sisterhood seeks to provide a secret space for women to connect, network, share their stories, have fun and learn the best way to support each other in our global struggle to end oppression against women and all marginalised people, while showcasing the best and boldest female talent in the UK and beyond.'

So, if you're heading to Glastonbury and you fancy a bit of girl time, you can find The Sisterhood in the festival’s infamous Shangri-La zone. The area features live music, DJs and workshops on intersectionality, diversity and inclusion, as well as a power-tool demonstration and teaching session.

All girl area? Sounds great to us. But giving people at a festival power tools? Maybe a bit less smart...

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