From November 10 to 12, Dones Mentores attended the Global Forum in Reykjavík.
It was not a Forum for optimism: two days of discussions left us with mixed feelings, reflecting the complex and worrying panorama we face. In the immediate future, global pressure for the suppression of civil rights in general and women’s right in particular will be even more organized and better funded. Hence, the need to strengthen alliances between grassroots organizations to amplify their voice and their positive impact in the face of the risk of regression.
We share the thoughtful words of Halla Tomasdottir, President of Iceland: female leadership can be tiring, exhausting, because it implies un-learning and attending to other codes, challenging the established and distributing power in an inclusive way. But it is worth it: Both Halla Tómasdóttir and Mary Robinson, former President of Ireland, opened the Forum days by highlighting this idea and the need now to incorporate more women to change the culture of leadership and power.
The common thread of many interventions was the importance of evidence-based policies. We particularly appreciated Sarah Hawkes of Global Health 50/50, who masterfully illustrated how with data disaggregated by sex and gender and impact indicators it is possible to measure progress and verify whether organizations and governments comply with standards and implement their own commitments on equality.
We shared the concern of the Forum about the growing polarization around gender issues especially among young people, the increase in violence against women – which for Stella Samuelsdottir, of UN Women Iceland, is the most urgent of the Forum’s areas of action – and the misinformation and propaganda that complicates efforts for equality. Inspiring and didactic, Maria Ressa, Nobel Peace Prize winner in 2021, mobilized us against the dictatorship of misinformation.
The Forum was an ideal space to confirm the founding principles and values that inspire Dones Mentores: incorporating feminist sensibility and values into social impact, working collaboratively and in partnership, in alliances with women who are role models for other women. We heard many voices from women mentors. Mentoring with a gender perspective as a tool for integration and power sharing…
The Global Forum served as a lucid reminder of the work still to be done.
We have gathered the strength of more than 500 activists: it showed us that there is a global commitment to continue moving towards a more equitable future. Phrases we heard and share with you:
Giving agency to a woman means giving her the ability to confront power.
The next generation will lead with empathy, transparency and community. Gurpriya Singh.
We need women leaders who are disruptive, rebellious and redefine leadership. Anuradha Das Mathur.
