Supporting feminist, women’s rights and gender justice movements to thrive, to be a driving force in challenging systems of oppression, and to co-create feminist realities.
While we dream of a feminist world, there are those who are already building and living it. These are our Feminist Realities!
What are Feminist Realities?
Feminist Realities are the living, breathing examples of the just world we are co-creating. They exist now, in the many ways we live, struggle and build our lives.
Feminist Realities go beyond resisting oppressive systems to show us what a world without domination, exploitation and supremacy look like.
These are the narratives we want to unearth, share and amplify throughout this Feminist Realities journey.
Transforming Visions into Lived Experiences
Through this initiative, we:
Create and amplify alternatives: We co-create art and creative expressions that center and celebrate the hope, optimism, healing and radical imagination that feminist realities inspire.
Build knowledge: We document, demonstrate & disseminate methodologies that will help identify the feminist realities in our diverse communities.
Advance feminist agendas: We expand and deepen our collective thinking and organizing to advance just solutions and systems that embody feminist values and visions.
Mobilize solidarity actions: We engage feminist, women’s rights and gender justice movements and allies in sharing, exchanging and jointly creating feminist realities, narratives and proposals at the 14th AWID International Forum.
The AWID International Forum
As much as we emphasize the process leading up to, and beyond, the four-day Forum, the event itself is an important part of where the magic happens, thanks to the unique energy and opportunity that comes with bringing people together.
We expect the next Forum to:
Build the power of Feminist Realities, by naming, celebrating, amplifying and contributing to build momentum around experiences and propositions that shine light on what is possible and feed our collective imaginations
Replenish wells of hope and energy as much needed fuel for rights and justice activism and resilience
Strengthen connectivity, reciprocity and solidarity across the diversity of feminist movements and with other rights and justice-oriented movements
Embodying Trauma-Informed Pleasure | Small Snippet AR
تَجسُّد اللذة المدرِكة للتروما
الصدمة ليست الحدث؛ إنها أجسادنا التي تستجيب للأحداث التي تشعرنا بخطرها علينا. وفي أغلب الأحوال تبقى عالقة في أجسادنا، إلى أن نتعامل معها. لا يوجد حديث عن أجسادنا خارج هذه الاستجابة – لأنها كذلك.
Caroline Tagny, Coalition of African Lesbians
Carrie Shelver, Sexual Rights Initiative
Emeline Dupuis, Sexual Rights Initiative
Pooja Badarinath, Sexual Rights Initiative
Pooja Patel, International Service for Human Rights
Antje Schupp
Workshop Feminist Realities:
Breathing & Healing Houses for Defenders
Ana María Hernández Cárdenas, Consorcio Oaxaca
Nallely Tello Méndez, Red Nacional de Defensoras de Derechos Humanos en México
Jelena Dordevic Liana Funes, National Network of Women Human Rights Defenders in Honduras
Rebeca Girón
Tania Lopes Muri, Movimento de Mulheres da Região dos Lagos
Rogéria Peixinho
Fem Movement Members Dance Party Extravaganza
DJ Cozmic Cat
Storytelling Unfettered Education:
Fatoumata's Story
Workshop Voices from the frontlines:
Bolstering collective power to end the incarceration of women worldwide
Claudia A. Cardona, Mujeres Libres Colombia
Phyllis Hardy, National Council for Incarcerated and Formerly Incarcerated Women and Girls
Grace Natalia, Womxn’s Voice and Women and Harm Reduction International Network
Mónica Marginet Flinch, Metzineres
Kenya Cuevas, Casa de las Muñecas Tiresias A.C.
Dawn Harrington, Free Hearts
Workshop Movement as Healing,
Healing for Movements
Kimalee Phillip
Luz Stella Uspina Murillo, Fondo Acción Urgente para América Latina y el Caribe
Sara Munarriz-Awad, Fondo Acción Urgente para América Latina y el Caribe
Tai Pelli
Everdith (Evie) Landrau
Workshop Emergent feminist leadership:
Lifting as we climb
Deborah A, Black LGBTQ Migrant Project (BLMP)
Anima Adjepong, Silent Majority
Maame Adwoa Marfo, FRIDA
Debbie Owusu-Akyeeah, Canadian Centre for Gender and Sexual Diversity
Panel Pleasure Across Borders
Lindiwe Rasekoala
Lizzie Kiama
Jovana Drodevic
Malaka Grant
Ganna Dovbakh, Eurasian Harm Reduction Association (EHRA)
Priscila Gadelha, Rede Nacional de Feministas Antiproibicionistas (RENFA)
Veronica Russo, Red Latinoamericana y del Caribe de Personas que Usan Drogas (LANPUD)
Diana Edem, Heartland Alliance International
Judy Chang, International Network of People who Use Drugs (INPUD)
Louise Vincent, NC Urban Survivors Union
Aura Roig, Metzineres
Malicia, Live Artist
Panel Young Climate Feminists Building Radical Futures:
Video Launch and Conversation
Sanam Amin, Asia Pacific Forum on Women, Law and Development
Maggie Mapondera, Womin African Alliance
Maria Alejandra Escalente, FRIDA
Patricia Miranda Wattimena, Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact
Mara Dolan, WEDO
Andrea Vega Troncoso, WEDO
Grace Chang, Taiwan Association for Disability Rights
Angel Hsu, Taiwan Association for Disability Rights
Joyann Peng, Taiwan Association for Disability Rights
Amy Wu, Taiwan Association for Disability Rights
Workshop Supporting the self-managed:
abortion doulas, acompanantes and radical networks of support
Aditi Pinto, Inroads
Daniela Tellez Del Valle, Di RAMONA
Sandra Cardona, Necesito Abortar México
Mickreen Adhiambo, Aunty Jane Hotline and MAMA Network
Zachi Brewster, Dopo Abortion Support
Ika Ayi, Samsara
The Human Rights Council (HRC) is the key intergovernmental body within the United Nations system responsible for the promotion and protection of all human rights around the globe. It holds three regular sessions a year: in March, June and September. The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) is the secretariat for the HRC.
The HRC works by:
Debating and passing resolutions on global human rights issues and human rights situations in particular countries
Examining complaints from victims of human rights violations or activist organizations on behalf of victims of human rights violations
Appointing independent experts (known as “Special Procedures”) to review human rights violations in specific countries and examine and further global human rights issues
Engaging in discussions with experts and governments on human rights issues
Assessing the human rights records of all UN Member States every four and a half years through the Universal Periodic Review
AWID works with feminist, progressive and human rights partners to share key knowledge, convene civil society dialogues and events, and influence negotiations and outcomes of the session.
With our partners, our work will:
◾️ Monitor, track and analyze anti-rights actors, discourses and strategies and their impact on resolutions
Ahead of the 2016 International Day of Action for Women's Health, on May 28th, we spotlight Sacred Women International, an AWID member based in Toronto, Canada. The organisation focuses on “creating a balance” and building the well-being of African, Caribbean, and Black Women across the diaspora. They shared with AWID on the importance of sustaining activists in order to continue social activism, uphold our communities and movements. #BlackLivesMatter
“We absolutely need passion for the work that we are doing or we won’t be able to do it. And to shift anything we need passion. But let’s not replace passion with anger. And let’s not carry the history of pain so much on our back that we bring it into our work, that we bring it into our lives.” – Aina-Nia Ayo-Dele, Sacred Women International
Watch the video to find out more about Sacred Women International
Dando apoyo a nuestros activismos, a nuestros movimientos y a nosotrxs mismxs
Adelantando el Día Internacional de Acción por la Salud de las Mujeres, 28 de mayo, destacamos el trabajo que realiza la organización afiliada a AWID con sede en Toronto, Canadá, Sacred Women International. La misma se dedica a “crear un equilibrio” y fortalecer el bienestar de las mujeres africanas, caribeñas y negras de la diáspora. Ellxs compartieron con AWID lo importante que es dar apoyo a las activistas para que se pueda continuar con el activismos social, y respaldar a nuestras comunidades y movimientos. #BlackLivesMatter
«Realmente necesitamos pasión por el trabajo que estamos haciendo. Y para cambiar algo, necesitamos pasión. Pero no reemplacemos la pasión por ira. Y no carguemos tanto sobre nuestras espaldas la historia del dolor como para llevarla a nuestro trabajo y a nuestras vidas.»– Aina-Nia Ayo-Dele, Sacred Women International
Mira el video para saber más acerca de Sacred Women International
Soigner nous-mêmes, notre activisme et nos mouvements
En prévision de la Journée internationale d’action pour la santé des femmes, le 28 mai 2016, nous mettons en lumière Sacred Women International, membre institutionnel de l’AWID basé à Toronto au Canada. L’organisation se concentre sur la création d’un équilibre et la favorisation du bien-être des femmes africaines, caribbéenes et noires à travers la diaspora. L’équipe de Sacred Women International a expliqué l’importance de soutenir les activistes afin de contribuer à faire vivre les communautés et les mouvements. #BlackLivesMatter
« Nous avons absolument besoin de passion pour le travail que nous faisons. Pour parvenir à changer quoi que ce soit, nous avons besoin de cette passion. Il ne faut pas remplacer la passion par de la colère. Et ne portons pas notre histoire, pétrie de douleur, sur notre dos au point que cela affecte notre travail et nos vies. » - Aina-Nia Ayo-Dele, Sacred Women International
Visionnez la vidéo afin d’en savoir plus sur Sacred Women International
For many of us, 2020 was an especially challenging year due to the global health pandemic. Feminists and activists rose to the new challenges meeting community needs in innovative ways. Here are 5 highlights of how AWID contributed to feminist co-creation and resistance.
Faye is a passionate Pan-African feminist, active in movements for women's rights, racial justice, migrant and labor rights, and environmental justice. Her activism builds on the legacy of the struggle against apartheid in South Africa and the aftermath of the apartheid era in Zimbabwe.
In 2019, Faye joined AWID as the Director of Finance, Operations and Development, and strived to ensure that AWID upholds the feminist principles and values in all of its operations. She brings over 20 years of experience in feminist leadership, strategy, and all aspects of finance and organizational development.
Faye is a committed Board Member of UAF-Africa and other women's rights organizations. She previously held a Head of Finance and Operations roles at Paediatric Adolescent Treatment for Africa and JASS - Just Associates Inc. in Southern Africa. She also held Directorship roles for International Computer Driving Licence (ICDL) in Central and Southern Africa. She holds a Bcompt in Accounting Science from University of South Africa and is a member of the Southern African Institute for Business Accountants.
Ȃurea Mouzinho is a feminist economic justice organizer from Luanda, Angola, with a 10-year career in research, grant-making, advocacy, and movement-building for women's rights and economic justice across Africa and the global south. Currently the Program Manager for Africa at Thousand Currents, she also serves on the Feminist Africa Editorial Board and is a member of Ondjango Feminista, a feminist collective she co-founded in 2016. A new mom to a Gemini boy, urea enjoys slow days with her young family and taking long strolls by the beach.
