(19 March 2025) The AWID (Association of Women’s Rights in Development) Forums are among the largest feminist events, bringing together grassroots activists and scholars, predominantly from the Global South. From December 2-5, 2,500 people gathered in a modern, accessible conference center for the 14th AWID Forum in Bangkok under the theme “Rising together: connect, heal and thrive,” with an additional 1,500 participants
joining virtually.
For several years, AWID has focused on marginalized communities from an intersectional feminist perspective. This includes people in conflict and crisis zones, those mostly affected by climate change, refugees, the persecuted, human rights defenders, people with disabilities, LGBTIQ+, indigenous, sex workers, and more.
In the following, I would like to give voice to the critical feminist perspectives at the forumthat are underrepresented in the Global North and mainstream media.
“When There Is No Justice, There Is Just Us.”
In a panel titled “What Does a Feminist Like You Do in a Place Like This? Crisis of the UN Human Rights System,” participants critically examined the United Nations. Marginalized groups feel unrepresented and lack the capacity to meet high administrative demands. Lengthy debates over phrasing were criticized, as well as the rejection of resolutions that reflect reality. The greatest frustration was directed at the UN Security Council for its inability to prevent ongoing genocides. Voices from Gaza, Sudan and Myanmar were the most powerful at the forum!
Hakima Abbas from the Black Feminist Fund expressed her frustration with a powerful quote: “When there is no justice, there is just us.” In other words, when there is no justice system in place or when it fails, feminists and human rights defenders have to claim and fight for justice.
An ActionAid representative from Malawi stated: “The UN needs to be decolonized and adapted. Those who represent us in the UN are elitist. The president of Malawi has never been held accountable for what’s happening on the ground.”
Feminist defenders from Palestine, Syria, Iran, Egypt, and the SWANA region (South West Asia and North Africa) strongly criticized “Feminist Foreign Policy (FFP).”
Palestinian activist Yasmeen Daher said: “FFP is used as a progressive badge benefitting the interests of countries in the Global North. Critique is even more urgent when applied. It actually risks reinforcing existing power structures. Germany’s FFP is hypocritical. Germany finances 85% of UN OCHA (Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs) and is at the same time the largest arms supplier [to Israel].”
Iranian women's rights expert and FEMENA Chair Susann Tahmasebi added: “Every sanction impacts civil society. Women are suffering greatly. Iran is one of the most sanctioned governments, but the sanctions don’t affect the regime. Human rights are not important. What do I ask from FFP? End the sanctions, because they harm citizens. Citizens are securitized and dehumanized. What Iranian Women’s Rights Defenders want is not heard. Instead, they only hear from the Iranian diaspora, which is often co-opted by Western governments. They should talk to real civil society in the country. The international human rights system has failed. We believe in collective feminist organizing, by our movements, by our grassroots.”
“Feminism Is Not a Trend, It’s a Way of Living!”
Lubna Alkanawati from Syria stated: “FFP is something donors want. We live feminism! They spend money on FFP and don’t give us the money that is so desperately needed! They are supporting dictatorships and authoritarian regimes. We are human rights organizations. We have political demands and need the power of political actions. It’s very difficult to get money for this. Feminism is not a trend, it’s a way of living! They cannot talk about peace without involving us! What we want is for countries not to support or interact with the Assad regime and to recognize him as a war criminal. Support women’s grassroots organizations. We need action. Even our feminist allies and partners are suffering because they don’t have money!”
In view of funding relationships several participants demanded flexible, unrestricted funds that meet their needs rather than donor priorities. They know best what is needed and require capacity building. The importance of collective care in the Global South — caring and mindful interactions within organizations or communities, considering available capacities and resources — was highlighted in many workshops. The Global North, where this culture is practiced only in small circles, can learn here a lot from the Global South.
In response to a question about how the Global North can show solidarity with Gaza and Sudan, feminists called for the immediate halt of arms deals and shipments. A weapons ship should not be allowed passage through the Mediterranean. The panel unanimously concluded with the demand: “A consistent and human rights-based approach for Feminist Foreign Policy is needed.”
“Everything That Happens in the Global North Impacts Us!”
One of the most striking examples is the Global Gag Rule (or Mexico City Policy), implemented since Trump took office. This policy prohibits US foreign aid from going to organizations that provide information or services related to abortion, even if funded with their own resources and in countries where abortion is legal. According to International Planned Parenthood (IPPF), this will result in 60 million US$ in cuts for projects focused on “Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights.” This not only affects access to safe abortion but also access to contraceptives, HIV prevention, maternal mortality, and unwanted (teenage) pregnancies. The Global Gag Rule significantly increases the number of unsafe and potentially fatal abortions.
During the discussion, AWID’s Board President and Professor Emerita Margo Okazawa-Rey, who humorously introduced herself as “Madame President,” posed the critical question: “What should feminist relationships to the state be? States are mostly accountable to corporations and not to people or feminists. What would a feminist non-aligned movement look like?” Margo also discussed the “transnational feminist non-aligned movement” at a Gender Talk at the University of Vienna.
Good News
To conclude, here are some positive updates from the AWID Forum, presented as brief news items, which we need more of in these times of backlash.
- The Black Feminist Fund, founded in 2021 as the result of 10 years of preparatory work, was an important actor in Bangkok. The fund addresses the under-resourcing of black feminist movements, “centers black feminist leadership and values in funding relationships. Unlike traditional funding models, (…) the Black Feminist Fund challenges hierarchical decision-making, fosters grassroots leadership, and ensures resources are directed towards transformative, community-led solutions” (Mukalazi, 7 March 2025).
- FEMNET - African Women’s Development and Communication Network, will soon publish a progressive SRHR Charta, eagerly anticipated by many.
- In Kenya, the Initiative for Strategic Litigation in Africa (ISLA) achieved remarkable improvements regarding the right to safe abortion.
- The influential and expanding Green Wave Movement (La Marea Verde) in Latin and Central America, advocating for the decriminalization of abortion, was repeatedly praised as a success against right-wing, autocratic and anti-feminist governments.
The AWID Forum in Bangkok was the second forum I had the privilege to attend, and like the 2016 event in Brazil, it was an enriching and horizon-expanding experience. I can highly recommend it for professional and personal development. As a white, Central European cis woman, being in a large gathering of BIPOC (black, indigenous and people of color), queer, and trans individuals allowed me to see through different lenses, to reflect on my own super privileged position, to question stereotypes, to change my perspective — in the end to learn a lot. I would like to see more major international events celebrating intersectional feminism, allyship and solidarity!