FEMglocal Conference Highlights Feminist Struggles and Points the Way to Future

Lusófona University - Porto University Centre hosted on 7 April the Final Conference of the FEMglocal project – Glocal feminist movements: interactions and contradictions.

The event, which took place throughout the day, marked the culmination of a research project that began in 2021, focused on mapping and understanding feminisms in Portugal. The project was promoted by CICANT in partnership with CIEG and funded by FCT.

The programme began with the presentation of the project's main findings, addressing topics such as the theoretical discussion of feminisms, the genealogy and cartography of the Portuguese feminist movement, and the development of an interactive and collaborative platform. The session also examined emblematic cases such as SlutWalk, 8 March, #MeToo, and the EleNão movement.

In the afternoon, guest speakers Kaitlynn Mendes and Stefania Milan, moderated by Inês Amaral, reflected on the contemporary challenges of glocal feminisms, in a context of increasing anti-feminist and anti-gender attacks.

One of the highlights of the event was the round table on the FEMglocal documentary, featuring contributions from journalists, filmmakers and researchers, and preceding the premiere of the film Feminismos: A Liberdade de Ser.

More than just a space for scientific exchange, the conference reinforced the importance of rethinking feminisms in the present, in light of their invisible past, and with a critical perspective towards the future. At a time when human rights are being challenged by populist and reactionary movements, FEMglocal defends the centrality of feminist thought as a driving force for social and political change.

“To speak of feminisms is to speak of human rights,” stated Carla Cerqueira, the lead researcher of the project, highlighting the fundamental role of science in constructing strategies for contemporary feminist activism.

See the Event Photos on Lusófona University's Facebook

Photography
Catarina Machado

Editing
Catarina Machado

Coverage
Catarina Machado

Text
Sofia Pereira