Edition 105: Toward a Globally Minded Feminism with Lola, Anonymous & Sekhmet SheOwl
Jan 8, 2025
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In this enlightening discussion, a young UN Women organizer shares insights on being a feminist from the Global South. She emphasizes the importance of unity in the fight against male dominance and societal injustices while navigating the complexities of global feminist movements. The podcast also features critical updates on women's rights issues in Afghanistan, Iran, and Sudan, alongside a reflection on the pressing intersection of feminism with broader global challenges like hunger and water scarcity.
The episode underscores the necessity of grassroots movements led by diverse women to effectively address systemic challenges and advocate for women's rights globally.
A young UN Women organizer shares her insights on the importance of solidarity and intersectionality within the feminist movement, especially for women in the global South.
Current global reports reveal alarming declines in women's rights, emphasizing the urgent need for unified advocacy against oppressive policies affecting women's autonomy.
Deep dives
Transition in Leadership for WLRN
The founding member of WLRN announces her departure from the role of business manager, emphasizing the need for new leadership to continue the organization's mission. She encourages individuals who are interested in managing the feminist media outlet's finances to apply, highlighting that prior experience such as an MBA is not necessary. The position offers an opportunity to implement growth strategies and explore fundraising initiatives to sustain the organization long-term. This transition signals a moment of renewal for WLRN as it looks to empower another voice to steer its feminist agenda.
Focus on Intersectionality and Global Feminist Struggles
The episode emphasizes the significance of intersectionality within feminism, steering clear of the liberal interpretations that often dilute its essence. A discussion features an anonymous 18-year-old feminist from India, who shares her experience working with organizations such as UN Women and the need to mobilize diverse women across various social strata for meaningful change. She articulates that real issues faced by women and girls in the global South cannot be addressed in isolation from the complexities of their societal contexts. This holistic understanding of feminism aims to create solidarity among women, acknowledging race, class, and other factors impacting their experiences.
Highlighting Global Women’s Rights Violations
Various reports indicate a significant global decline in women's rights characterized by draconian measures in countries like the UK, Afghanistan, and Iran. For instance, the UK's NHS ceased prescribing puberty blockers to minors due to safety concerns, while the Taliban has restricted women's access to educational and professional opportunities in Afghanistan. The implementation of strict hijab laws in Iran underlines the pervasive control over women's autonomy. These narratives serve as stark reminders of the intersection between gender, policy, and human rights, reinforcing the urgency for unified advocacy against such oppressions.
Responses to Intersectionality's Misinterpretation
The episode critiques how modern liberal identity politics have co-opted the term 'intersectionality,' often overshadowing the fundamental purpose of feminism—women's liberation. It examines how discussions around intersectionality sometimes drift away from addressing misogyny, leading to competition among women based on perceived levels of oppression. This internal division serves to distract feminists from their shared goal of combating male dominance globally. Reclaiming intersectionality within radical feminism is posited as crucial to acknowledging systemic oppression, ensuring effective collaboration and solidarity among women from different backgrounds.
The Role of Grassroots Advocacy in Feminism
The conversation highlights the importance of grassroots movements in addressing the systemic challenges faced by women, particularly in the global South. The young feminist's journey from local initiatives to international platforms showcases a model for effective advocacy that emphasizes youth engagement and representation. This focus on meaningful involvement from marginalized communities is deemed essential for ensuring that their voices influence policy changes at higher levels. By connecting grassroots experiences to global feminist discussions, the episode underscores the power of collective action in striving toward women's rights and equality.
Happy New Year from the team at WLRN!
This month, Lola Bessis takes the reigns and offers up an interview she did with an 18 year-old UN Women nonprofit organizer who wishes to remain anonymous. They have a lively discussion about what it means to be a globally minded feminist and the work our guest does for women and girls and how it feels to be from the global south and to usually be the youngest member of the panels and organizations she participates in.
First up, hear the greeting from WLRN founding member, Thistle. If you would like to apply to be WLRN's new Business Manager, please reach out to us at info@wlrnmedia.com. We need a new volunteer to manage WLRN's finances, fundraising and website as we transition to becoming an LLC. If we are unable to fill this position by the end of February, we may not be able to continue the good work of WLRN so please apply! No experience is necessary!
After the greeting, stay tuned for WLRN's world news segment with Mary O'Neill in which she reports on the impact the Cass Review is having in the UK, the Taliban and the plight of Gisele Pelicot. After the news, you'll hear the street song "El violador eres tú" from five years ago when women in Latin America took it to the streets and it went viral worldwide.
After the song, hear the interview Lola did with a young UN Women organizer who talks about what it's like to be young and a feminist organizer, and who shares her views on the importance of solidarity in our movement.
Finally, both Lola and Sekhmet chime in with commentaries on the subject before we sign off. Thank you, as ever, for tuning in to WLRN!
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