Faith, Feminism, and the Fight Against Gender-Based Violence: Global Perspectives

This session delves into the nuanced intersections of religion, gender, and activism, presenting a critical exploration of how feminist religious communities and movements navigate the challenges of gender-based violence and feminist identities. From the performative aspects of ecclesial solidarity campaigns like the World Council of Churches' “Thursdays in Black” to the renegotiation of Coptic women's identities outside Egypt, the dynamics of Catholic anti-gender movements, and the construction of an ecclesiology of Chinese women, the session offers a multifaceted examination of faith's role in both perpetuating and challenging gender norms and violence. Through a blend of theoretical critique, empirical analysis, and comparative study, this session seeks to uncover how religious discourses and practices contribute to or combat the marginalization of women and LGBTQ+ communities. The panelists engage in a conversation on the possibilities for meaningful solidarity, resistance, and transformation within religious contexts across the globe, challenging participants to rethink the relationship between faith, gender, and social justice.