A Condom That Protects Against STDs, Unwanted Pregnancy, and Covers Your Penis in Tiny, Razor-Sharp Barbs

In 2005, South African blood technician Sonnet Ehlers invented the anti-rape female condom. Worn in the vagina like a tampon, the device immobilises the attacker by attaching razor-sharp barbs to the penis during the act of vaginal rape. The barbs can only be removed via surgery, effectively identifying the surgical patient as a rapist to health authorities.

Evocatively named Rape-aXe, Ehlers insists its purpose is less to inflict suffering upon rapists than to buy victims crucial time to escape their attackers. Furthermore, the device protects wearers against sexually transmitted diseases and unwanted pregnancy.

There has been scant literature and debate surrounding this fascinating invention, and many questions unanswered regarding its effectiveness, accessibility, cost, and potential for misuse. Some have condemned the invention as a man-hating instrument of torture, a criticism Ehlers succinctly addresses by suggesting it is a “a medieval device for a medieval deed.”

Although Rape-aXe cannot protect against all forms of rape – it can only prevent further rape after an initial act of vaginal rape has already occurred, we should address its potential for empowering certain women, such as those living in areas with high rates of crime, or potential victims of war rape.

I am surprised and disappointed that this device has not received greater coverage in the popular media. If Rape-aXe became widely available, I wonder if its users would be lauded for taking a stand in self-preservation, or accused of sadism.

The “Real” Version vs The Women’s Edition

I was at Border’s last night and was rather confused to see a ‘Women’s’ poker set. It was pink. I have never played poker but assumed it was always a rather gender neutral game (with Strip Poker perhaps being the exception).  But somehow, slapping a gendered label on products and colouring them pink is a marketing attempt to attract women to ‘traditional’ male pursuits. I had a quick look on Google and found all sorts of things. There’s even a Poker Ho Card Guard for those women “proud to show who you really are” (um, assuming ‘ho’ is a derogatory reference to a sex worker, does this suggest sex as part of the winnings? I’m a bit confused here).

But gender specificity even extends in the ‘professional’ arena. These purple power tools are a point in question. I have my own power tools for crafting and I’ve never needed a gender specific set.

Nor a pink hardhat from Tomboy Trades like these:

Interesting logo by the way. What logical, ‘tool touting woman’ lets her hair hang free and dons flares around machinery? And why are women in trade suddenly considered ‘tomboys’? Haven’t we got past that yet?

In having a look for mainstream products designed with women in mind, I was most amused to find the “Patented New Products and Inventions for Women (including Moms) Available for license”. Yes apparently mothers are a separate entity here. I’m not sure which product amuses me most, perhaps the ‘mother’s third arm’ or the Dishwasher Dirty/Clean indicator hehe.

I think it’s great that women are starting companies and creating products by women for women but why colour them pink and add stereotypes to them? The colour pink has done great things for Breast Cancer Research but how about beyond that?

“Staff Writer” To Sophie Monk: Get Your Kit Off, Tease

I wasn’t surprised that this “article” in today’s Herald Sun/news.com.au was credited to “Staff Writer”, because I sure as hell wouldn’t want my name associated with it had I been forced at gunpoint to pen it: to wit, Sophie Monk is coming back home to Australia to help launch a lingerie line she’s involved with. “Staff Writer” can’t resist a bit of old-fashioned slut-shaming mixed with some pervasive low-key misogyny.

Let’s count the moments of stinking sexism, shall we? Let’s start with the headline:

Sexy Sophie Monk keeps her shirt on

Right, because she can’t stop taking her clothes off! Tell us more, “Staff Writer”!

The blonde seems to have suddenly gone shy since posing naked for PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), shooting an ad campaign for her own lingerie range (above) and filming a sex scene in TV’s Entourage and a nude romp in the flick Sex and Death 101?

Organisers of next Thursday’s Hollywood Fashion Shapes and Bodywear Collection launch at Docklands say Monk herself won’t strip to smalls from the range.

The cover-up is despite her earning a six-figure fee to spruik the brand.

(Bold emphasis mine.)

That’s the worst of it; “Staff Writer” then goes on to drool over “home-grown hottie” Alyssa Sutherland for the final few paragraphs.

So, essentially, what “Staff Writer” is saying is, jeez, Sophie, they’re paying you six-figures and you still won’t get your kit off for them? What a cocktease! Why don’t you give the men people what they want, Sophie? Hey, Sophie, I just put a $5 note in your g-string, what are you gonna do for me? (etc)

When will these morons realise that women in Monk’s position have absolutely zero responsibility to snap to and do/show whatever the media deems appropriate? How shocking that she might choose to pose naked or film a sex scene, and then stay clothed at a following event!

The Latest On Abortion Law Reform In Victoria

Further updates from the front line in the abortion law reform debate in Victorian Parliament indicate that the reforms could very well be passed sooner rather than later, with a number of key MPs previously opposed to the reforms now indicating their support for the changes. Labor MP Jenny Mikakos’ response was particularly notable:

The shock move came as Labor MP Jenny Mikakos also backed change despite her strong religious background, declaring that Christian values did not override her belief in an individual’s right to choose.

“I can reconcile myself as a Christian as being both anti-abortion and pro-choice,” she told Parliament last night.

And, from The Age‘s coverage:

Labor’s Jenny Mikakos also admitted having doubts about abortion because of her strong Greek Orthodox faith, but decided she would support it because she believed she could not deny the choice of abortion to other women.

In other words, while you may not believe in obtaining an abortion yourself, or for your partner, who are you to prevent others with differing belief systems from doing so?

It’s a shame there aren’t more people like Mikakos speaking up in this debate; it’s essential to get it out there that personal religious beliefs shouldn’t trump general human rights (can someone fax Denis Hart?) when it comes to the health and wellbeing of a woman versus an unborn “child”.

I use inverted commas around “child” in this context because, despite what the anti-choicers seem to suggest, I don’t see that there will be a huge increase in either abortions full stop, or late term – post-24-week – abortions if this reform is passed; thus, the majority of terminations will occur well before there is any chance of the foetus having any chance of even heavily assisted survival outside the womb.

Summing Up The Media Response To Sarah Palin In One Fell Halloween Costume

From blogger BG:

There are no words.

Does This Ad Make You Feel Protected Against Potential Motorcycling Accidents?

Walking through Melbourne’s CBD the other day I snapped this phonebooth ad.

Draggin Jeans are a motorcycle fashion company whose signature item is Kevlar-lined jeans (i.e. to provide added protection in the event of a bike spill).

I’ve seen their ads on TV – loud, low-rent and featuring ridiculous moto stunts, and mostly full of blokes – many times, particularly during motorsports coverage, which is why I found this ad somewhat out of character (for the brand; not, sadly, for the motorsport community at large).

If you can’t read it, it says: “Protect your assets. Wear Draggin Jeans.“

Geddit? “Assets”! Good one!

Really, Draggin – any women who are likely to buy your products are not going to be swayed by this; if anything, I’d think they’d be turned off. As for the blokes, well, the company has sold plenty of jeans and jackets based solely on their existing advertising (as mentioned before, featuring little more than – ahem – cunning stunts on motorcycles) and reputation for providing road safety in a reasonably fashionable format. Was this really necessary?