Free the Nip…

Another fascinating revelation emerges from groups dedicated to advocating for women’s rights, particularly the Nursing Mothers Association. Initially perceived as a conventional mothers’ group, a deeper exploration uncovers sobering truths about censorship restrictions concerning women and their bodies. The Nursing Mothers Association was established during an era when the use of words like ‘breast,’ ‘nipple,’ ‘breastfeeding,’ or even ‘pregnant’ was prohibited in print or on the radio.

The women who created this organisation displayed resourcefulness in navigating these stringent regulations. It is astonishing, especially from a contemporary perspective, that such censorship was enforced. Although there remains substantial progress to be made in the realm of gender equality, it is undeniably fascinating to observe how significantly the landscape has evolved over the past fifty years, particularly with regard to the representation and discussion of women’s bodies in the media. 

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