Rising Together in Feminist Solidarity

How deep is your love for what is possible?

This statement from AWID President Margo Okazawa-Rey resonated deeply with me as I stepped for the first time into the opening ceremony of the 15th AWID International conference, held in Bangkok, Thailand. This has been on my thoughts the whole week.

The 2024 AWID Conference has been a powerful space of reflection, resistance, and resilience. It was a stark reminder that while we celebrate progress, we cannot ignore the harsh realities women and girls face daily. Across the globe, wars, genocides, famine, and climate change disproportionately affect women and girls, often stripping them of dignity and safety. These crises are not just stories; they are lived experiences—heartbreaking and urgent.

The ongoing devastation in Gaza, where ethnic cleansing continues under the guise of conflict, reminds us of the brutal cost of inaction. Yet, even amid the violence, we heard inspiring stories of women organizing in the harshest contexts, like Lebanon, where feminist groups navigate the complexities of restricted donor funding and bureaucratic hurdles. These stories reflect the resilience and creativity of women who refuse to be silenced, even in the face of immense barriers.

Feminism is a way of life

"Feminism is not a badge you wear; it’s how you live each day." This call resonated deeply throughout the conference. Feminism is about showing up, disobeying the systems that perpetuate inequality, and being willing to have uncomfortable but necessary conversations. It is about asking ourselves, "What actions can I take in my space to stand in solidarity with my fellow women and girls?"

As feminists, we are united by shared struggles, particularly the universal reality of gender-based violence. But we are also united by hope—hope that our collective resistance can change the narrative. Every hug exchanged at the conference was an act of defiance, a declaration that, together, we rise.

The ethics of care

The conference demonstrated the ethics of care in action. From low-sensory rooms to moments of laughter and tears, the forum created a space where women could share their vulnerabilities and triumphs. The stories, connections, and solidarity built at AWID were as much about healing as they were about resistance.

Adaptability and accountability in crisis

One of the most challenging discussions revolved around the limitations of donor funding in crisis contexts. Feminist organizations on the ground often face delays and restrictions in accessing resources, leaving them unable to respond swiftly to emergencies. This raises an important question: how adaptive is adaptive management in practice? The urgency of war, as seen in Gaza, demands systems that prioritize human lives over bureaucratic delays.

A call to action

The closing ceremony was a moment of reflection and determination. As the first Black woman president of AWID took the stage, there was a palpable sense of history being made. The messages were clear:

• "Make the hunter accountable for his crimes."
• "Stop the war now."
• "The future is feminist."

Together, we rise—not as individuals, but as a global sisterhood yearning for liberation. Every act of solidarity, every voice raised against injustice, and every step toward equality is part of a larger movement. As feminists, we are unstoppable.

We Rise, Together!

This conference was a call to breathe together, resist together, and rise together. It reminded us that feminist solidarity is not just an ideal—it is a practice. And while the challenges are immense, so is our determination. As women, we have always been the architects of our liberation, and we will continue to be.

The future is feminist, and together, we will make it a reality.

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