Last month, the ActionAid Activist network joined ActionAid Australia staff and passionate feminists for a weekend of women-led feminist action and learning.
Women Leading Intersectional Feminist Change
At ActionAid’s Feminist Forum, we had the pleasure of hearing from a number of passionate women from around the world on their plans for moving towards a more inclusive and sustainable world.
We heard from women working across the world in partnership with ActionAid to achieve progress in their communities. A highlight was hearing from Ellen Tamata, founder and coordinator of the Women I Tok Tok Tugeta (WITTT) Sunshine Network, a program designed to advocate for the needs of women in Vanuatu with disabilities in climate change contexts. She reminded us of the need for accessibility in advocacy and decision-making spaces so everyone has the chance to be heard.
Ritah Nanyonga, from ActionAid International Uganda, also left a lasting impression with us long after the event had ended. Her passion for creating pathways to safety for women who have experienced abuse through the Women, Peace and Security program was truly inspiring and provided us a wider perspective to what we can achieve through our advocacy work.
ActionAid’s Feminist Forum provided us a chance to meet face to face, and share our hopes and plans for a feminist future. It provided us the chance to brainstorm some of the ways we can enhance our activism and had us teasing out the complexities of the link between feminism and climate change.
Community has the power to achieve change
Following a big day of talks, we put our activism into practice marching alongside thousands of people across the country for Palestine. Despite the underlying solemn feeling that flowed through the crowd, as we marched side by side, we were left with one profound impression; that at the core of activism is community.
This weekend served as a much-needed reminder that a strong community has the power achieve change.
If you’re passionate about women’s rights and want to take action in solidarity with women around the world, register to join our ActionAid Australia’s activist network.