Why are women resorting to exposing it all to make political headway? After generations of having their political voice disregarded and being told that they are good for one thing - bearing children – is women’s nudity a powerful statement, an act of desperation or both?

Public nudity as a form of protest is not exclusive to the women of the Niger Delta. In the last five years, environmentalists disrobed on a glacier in the Swiss Alps to bring attention to global warming, women in India marched naked in the streets to expose sexual violence at the hands of the military, and Chilean students stripped bare to protest poor quality education.
Is this an effective form of protest or does it feed into sensationalism?

Nudity definitely attracts attention, doesn't it? If it helps to draw attention to your struggle, then, yes -- I'm all for it. Would I strip bare for a cause? Sure...I'd certainly do that before stripping nude for a camera.

Our indigenous sisters in the north Philippines prevented with their naked bodies the building of a big dam in their ancestral land decades ago. It was a profound political act which was a success, using what women have: their bodies. Women's bodies are sites of oppression; but they are as well sites of struggle and liberation.

What a terrible situation for the people of the Niger Delta. What a wonderful innovative and powerful reponse from the women! It was so inspiring to listen to them on the video. Women re claiming their power for the good of the community.

Yvonne Mc Calla

As a Muslim woman, who guards her modesty by covering her body, I find that this solution (while not one I would choose) is definitely a powerful and significant response. It is certainly difficult to ignore, and certainly does speak to these women's willingness to take a stand against the destruction of their environment and culture. What a committment this solution would a require! I admire their bravery and strength. It isn't the naked body so much that will bring about the change, but the passion that has fueled this "naked last option".