The very ideas – let alone the possibilities – of gender and social justice are under attack the world over. These attacks are becoming increasingly acute, multi-layered, and globally resonant, seeking to erase language, movements, legal frameworks, and even entire communities.
This event from Countering Backlash asked: how can gender and social justice activists survive this current moment? And how can we strategise and organise – not only to counter and resist – but also to build the queer, decolonial and feminist futures that have never yet been realised?
The event discussed the toolkit ‘Cards against Backlash – towards a feminist future’, which draws upon real-life tactics identified across the Countering Backlash programme. Speakers from India, Kenya, Lebanon, Brazil, Bangladesh and the UK addressed themes of survival, resistance and creating just futures, discussing careful digital practice, the use of language, holding the line, and creating coalitions.
A plenary discussion allowed for a broader sharing of strategies and tactics, exploring together our collective push for a feminist future.
Speakers:
- Tessa Lewin, Institute of Development Studies
- Becky Faith, Institute of Development Studies
- Nay El Rahi, Arab Institute for Women
- Iffat Jahan Antara, Consultant, Countering Backlash
- Maíra Kubík Mano, NEIM
- Gender at Work Consulting – India
Chair
- Chloe Skinner, Institute of Development Studies
