The Young Arab Feminist Network Launched in Cairo

Leen | August 23, 2010 | Comments (0)

Twenty participants from seven Arab countries went to Cairo in April to launch the
first Young Arab Feminist Network (YAFN). This initiative, created to provide a
critical and progressive space for young Arab feminists, aims at challenging the
women’s rights movement to become less elitist and more inclusive. It also aims to
provide capacity building in gender justice organising and activism as well as
create a new feminist discourse in the region.
During the four-day meeting, participants developed the network’s vision, goals,
structure and activities. Network members discussed issues as diverse as
disability, Muslim feminism, sexuality, VAW, Arab women’s movement’s support
for the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS campaign) against Israel, and
discrimination against women in family laws.

The meeting included a session on Musawah and a presentation on Muslim
Feminism by Fatma Emam. The Musawah opening video initiated discussions
about the importance of making gender-just, progressive theological arguments
accessible to youth. The sharing of this knowledge may provide pathways to
women’s empowerment and reclaiming women’s voices in producing knowledge
on Muslim jurisprudence.
YAFN has started its work and is aiming to do outreach and get out to the millions of
women in the Arab region. To join or learn more on the network, contact farah@nasawiya.org