Rising Together: Lessons from the AWID Forum on Feminist Action

My interest in Global Justice Kenya's work is rooted in the way I identify as a person – I consider myself a feminist. But what does feminism mean? The 16 days of activism recently was a reminder of how this term remains wildly misunderstood and subject of the most polarized and contradictory interpretations. At a National Conference one male participant declared “Gender-based violence is not a feminist issue. Men are victims of GBV too”.  My instinctive reaction was to stand up and challenge his statement. Instead, I chose to listen, reframing the conversation in a private setting to unpack his perspective. Yet, every cell of my body wanted to shout the definition of Feminism: equal rights and opportunities for all genders.

This moment underscored the critical need for spaces that foster dialogue across divides.

I firmly believe that, regardless of my education or passion for the feminist movement, there are countless lived experiences beyond my reach that shape the full impact of patriarchal and anti-feminist systems. And while I will never fully understand what it feels like to walk in certain shoes, I am deeply committed to seeking out contexts that provide insights into the intersection of vulnerabilities. My internship at Global Justice Kenya is the latest example – an opportunity to immerse myself in phenomena that expose patriarchal, violent and colonial continuities while informing my understanding and practice of intersectional feminist action.

The world we live in can be cruel and the systems around us often thrive on isolating us in despair.  For me, the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) provides the necessary space to counter those feelings of isolation. Founded during World War I, when 1,136 women from 12 countries gathered in The Hague to address the roots of conflict, WILPF has remained resilient for over a century. With members in over 40 countries, its success lies in exchange, collaboration and perseverance.

Feminist movements face many challenges, including the need for connection and addressing internal power imbalances. Recognizing this, WILPF formed a delegation to attend this year’s AWID Forum. I was honored to be part of this delegation, gaining insights that enrich not only WILPF’s work but also our efforts at Global Justice Kenya.

What is AWID? The Association for Women's Rights in Development is an international feminist membership and movement support organization dedicated to gender equality, sustainable development and human rights. The AWID Forum plays a crucial role in sustaining, growing, and transforming global feminist organizing. This year’s AWID International Forum took place in Bangkok, offering space for countless organizations to showcase and discuss their work.

Recognizing the urgency to broaden my understanding of areas central to my work, I participated in sessions on topic such as pan-African and feminist philanthropy, feminist crisis response, allyship for migrant workers and the strategic use of resilient narratives. Each discussion left me inspired and, more importantly, equipped with actionable insights:

“Don’t accept silencing!” This quote resonated with me too well. In human rights work, resistance doesn’t just exist – it thrives, often with cruelty. Feeling intimidated by it is natural, but it must not limit our actions. Instead, we must anticipate resistance, strategize proactively, and ensure that our movements remain effective in the face of resistance.

“Talk to opponents. Talk to the ones in between.” Transforming systems requires us to step out of our comfort zones. We can’t change the system if we only talk to the ones in favor of change. We must engage in challenging conversations and empathize with the perspectives of opponents. How else are we going to find ways to convince them? How can we make our movements attractive when we don’t understand what influences their point of view?

“Don’t agonize but organize!” It is easy to feel overwhelmed by the system we navigate, especially when challenges cross borders. We must admit that we cannot change these systems alone. Instead, we need to act on the urgency to build transnational networks and together hold oppressing forces accountable.

We all have fallen back on excuses like “There are no funds” or “We need more money”. A contrary truth emerged during the forum: “Resources exist–they have not gone away” The issue is not their absence–it’s a matter of locating and utilizing them. And while money remains essential in the systems we navigate, it is neither the only nor the ultimate resource.

My key takeaway from this convening is the critical importance of organized mobilization. We cannot combat anti-feminist forces alone. We depend on each other. We depend on rising together. Identifying allies, strategizing collectively, and investing in shared resources are essential steps to overcoming what has been holding us back / overcoming systemic barriers.

The AWID Forum was a reminder of the enduring strength of feminist solidarity. Global Justice Kenya calls on feminist organizations, networks, and movements to join forces. Let us learn from one another. Let us expose each other’s flaws in a constructive and feminist manner. If we rise together, we can challenge oppressive systems, resource transformative change, and create a future where all of us can thrive. Let us stop making excuses. If women could come together in 1915 amid the chaos of war, we can undoubtedly rise together now, in an era defined by unprecedented connectivity.

Let’s rise together–because our collective liberation depends on it.