Amongst the many Russell group universities, the University of Bristol (UOB) is ranked 58th at a global scale and 9th within the UK. The university’s mission is to “make a positive impact locally and globally by addressing society’s greatest challenges (…) through the value we place on excellence, inclusivity and partnership”. 

UOB continuously promotes the notion of a “safe space” where students are supported and encouraged to better themselves. However, UOB has allowed a “pro-life feminist” society to take place. After discovering the society at the welcome fair and conversing with the two students present (woman and man), I felt an overwhelming amount of disgust. Two male students waiting behind me were judging me and discussing their pro-life ideologies between themselves as I was debating. Furthermore, pamphlets with pro-life ideologies were being handed out. I cannot stress how triggering it is to see that our university supports such a society. Mostly when many students have experienced an abortion and nearly all of us know someone who has. 

As one of the top universities in the UK, I think it is absolutely terrifying that UOB has let such a society form. Their page on the Student Union’s website cites: “Pro-life feminism seeks to protect the dignity of all human life from conception until natural death. (…) We believe that pro-life feminism is not only possible, but essential to building a society in which women are equal and every human life is respected.”

There is absolutely nothing feminist about this society, and I find it shameful that they’ve used such an important cause to sugarcoat their pro-life ideologies. If UOB would like to support a pro-life society the same way that the university of Exeter does, you might as well call it what it is. This society invites all to come and “debate” however, I, and many others debated at the welcome fair and this clearly isn’t a matter of debate. In addition, UOB already has a real debate society. 

Everyone is entitled to their own opinions, but this is going against progress and against the “safe space” that UOB has promised us. I am hoping that this petition will make UOB realize that this society is:

- triggering and highly insensitive to individuals  who have experienced abortions or, are currently having to deal with an unwanted pregnancy 

- misinforming students regarding feminism

- goes against UOB’s values and mission

and will therefore, be terminated.