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.