Women’s rights organizations and feminist activists in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) continue to live in a political culture of impunity and with increased violent backlash on their priorities and operations. Geopolitics, war, failed state institutions, and dwindling resources in support of organizations are threatening to reverse the small gains made for women’s rights and gender equality in the MENA.
The challenges of sustaining support and solidarity for women’s rights in increasingly authoritarian environments have not only impacted organizations’ capacity to advocate for change but are also having repercussions on the lives and survival of individual activists and civil society leaders. Research on anti-gender politics and feminist backlash is well documented, particularly in relation to contexts of democratic backsliding, but in non-democracies across the world and in MENA specifically, we do not know enough about survival mechanisms, coping strategies, and outright confrontation being carried out by individuals and groups on a daily basis.
In this webinar, a panel of experts, scholars, and practitioners will explore and address the following questions:
- What challenges are individual activists within MENA feminist movements facing?
- How do activists in the diaspora perceive their role with counterparts in the MENA?
- What emerging modes of confrontation and defiance are emerging that require protection and support?
- How can the international community and gender-related programming better protect individuals and support organizations in the MENA?
The institute occupies a position of respect and trust, and is committed to fostering inclusive dialogue at all events. Event attendees are expected to uphold this by adhering to our code of conduct.
