Inna Shevchenko

Inna Shevchenko
Інна Шевченко
Shevchenko in 2010
Born (1990-06-23) 23 June 1990 (age 34)
Kherson, Ukrainian SSR, Soviet Union
Alma materTaras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv
OccupationActivist
MovementFEMEN

Inna Shevchenko (Ukrainian: Інна Шевченко) is a Ukrainian feminist activist and the leader of international women's movement FEMEN, which often demonstrates topless against what they perceive as manifestations of patriarchy, especially dictatorship, religion, and the sex industry.[1][2] Shevchenko has a higher profile than the other members of the group. She was the leader of the three FEMEN activists reputedly kidnapped and threatened by the Belarus KGB in 2011.[3] She achieved attention in Ukraine by cutting with a chainsaw and then bringing down a 4-metre high Christian cross in central Kyiv in 2012.[4]

In 2013, Shevchenko was granted asylum in France,[5] and now continues her activism by leading FEMEN France from a training base she has established in Paris.[4]

In July 2013, Olivier Ciappa, who together with David Kawena designed a new French stamp depicting Marianne, stated on Twitter that Shevchenko had been the main inspiration for the depiction.[6]

  1. ^ Jeffrey Tayler (13 March 2013). "The Woman Behind Femen's Topless Protest Movement - Jeffrey Tayler". The Atlantic. Retrieved 15 July 2013.
  2. ^ "FEMEN". FEMEN. Retrieved 29 September 2013.
  3. ^ Rfe/Rl (21 December 2011). "Ukrainian Activist Group Accuses Belarusian KGB Of Kidnapping, Abuse". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. Retrieved 15 July 2013.
  4. ^ a b Kira Cochrane (20 March 2013). "Rise of the naked female warriors". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 15 July 2013.
  5. ^ "Femen topless protester wins French asylum". BBC. 8 July 2013.
  6. ^ Angelique Chrisafis (15 July 2013). "Femen-inspired postage stamp angers French right". The Guardian. Retrieved 15 July 2013.