On April 3rd 2024, English-speaking feminists from different countries in the global South gathered for the second English-language consultation to create the South Feminist Manifesto, an initiative coordinated by the organisation South Feminist Futures.
Participants engaged in discussions on the intersections of feminism, power structures, and whiteness, with a focus on the challenges faced by feminist movements in the global South. They also explored the concept of development, its limitations in marginalised communities, and the need for an alternative approach. The conversation concluded with reflections on the successes and failures of past and ongoing movements, the importance of rest and self-care, and the need for a more egalitarian system.
We discussed the successes and failures of past and ongoing movements, focusing on the fragmentation within the feminist movement in the global South and the importance of collaboration with other social movements. They agreed on the need for rest as a powerful strategy for resistance, transitioning leadership to younger generations, and personal rituals and self-care.
We also discussed the concept of development in the context of marginalised communities in India and South Asia, emphasising the negative impacts of neoliberal capitalist economies. The team was encouraged to imagine an alternative concept. Some participants expressed discomfort with the term “development”, suggesting alternatives such as “livity” and self-determination.
As we continue to gather insights from diverse voices across the global South, we have one more upcoming consultation event which will take place on 24th April.
Let’s keep shaping our future our way!
