From universalising to diversifying – a broader lens for women’s empowerment

Past event online

Peace, Security & Defence

24Jun2021

starts 14:00

ends 14:30

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From universalising to diversifying – a broader lens for women’s empowerment

Friends of Europe’s work across policy pillars aims to highlight the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women across the globe. However, beyond that, it is about reflecting on the progress made and the work to be done.

In policy and action, there is often a risk of universalising women’s issues and overlooking the broad range of women’s experiences. The traditional universalisation of women’s issues in Western feminism has been long criticised for excluding other identities and ignoring the differing experiences of non-white, non-straight and non-Western women, begging the question – how can we consider the diversity of women’s experiences and promote actionable change?

The experiences of women and girls are not only defined by gender, but by intersecting identities within social and cultural contexts, whether that be socio-economic status, race, religion, age and/or disability. Our conversation with Malaika Oringo, Founder and CEO of Footprint to Freedom and Member of the International Survivors of Trafficking Advisory Council (ISTAC), aims to shed light on her individual experience and achievements, her knowledge of the multitude of experiences of women who have survived trafficking and her perspective on subverting the social and economic structures that disempower women and girls.

With this Critical Thinking Live conversation, we strive to learn from and celebrate the diversity of women in global frameworks through highlighting individual experience.

#CriticalThinking Live is the latest expansion in our #CriticalThinking family, bringing influential voices from across a range of sectors to challenge, inspire and influence current thinking on the biggest issues facing Europe and the world.

This event will be streamed and no registration is required.

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Schedule

14.00 14.30

From universalising to diversifying – a broader lens for women’s empowerment

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Questions include:

What are the social and economic structures in place that disempower women and leave them vulnerable to exploitation?
How can policymakers give voice to the diversity of women’s experiences and promote actionable change?

Speakers

Malaika Oringo

Founder and CEO of Footprint to Freedom and Member of the International Survivors of Trafficking Advisory Council (ISTAC)

Moderator

Dharmendra Kanani

Chief Operating Officer and Chief Spokesperson of Friends of Europe

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Speakers

Malaika Oringo is a survivor and an advocate against human trafficking. She founded Footprint to Freedom in the Netherlands to stand up for victims’ rights and strengthen survivors’ inclusion and engagement, arguing for a bottom up approach. Talented speaker and campaigner, Oringo has highlighted gaps in European legislation and policy against human trafficking. She has also advised on best practices that can provide victim centred trauma informed and survivor centred approaches to improve response to survivors and victims’ needs. She serves as a member of ISTAC, a council launched by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) to assist countries with anti-trafficking efforts.

Prior to joining Friends of Europe, Dharmendra Kanani was director of policy at the European Foundation Centre (EFC). He was the England director at the Big Lottery Fund, the largest independent funder in the UK and fourth largest in the world. Dharmendra has held senior positions in the public and voluntary sectors and advisor to numerous ministerial policy initiatives across the UK.

*Consultant at Friends of Europe.