The First Mediterranean Feminist Forum was a significant event that took place on May 3rd, 2024, at the Arab World Institute in Paris.
This event was organized by the EuroMed Feminist Initiative, in partnership with the interministerial Delegation for the Mediterranean from the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, and with the contribution of the Arab World Institute. The Forum was attended by over 50 feminist organizations from about 20 countries in the Mediterranean basin, as well as various stakeholders, private sector and donors, and external auditors.
The Forum was aimed at promoting gender equality and women’s rights in the Mediterranean region. It aimed to provide a platform for sharing analysis, experiences, lessons learned, and best practices in the field of combating violence against women and girls (VAWG), women’s participation in economic, social, and political life, sexual and reproductive health and rights, and the working environment of feminist civil society organizations.
The participants engaged in lively and in-depth discussions on these issues and unanimously agreed that sustainable peace in the region can only be achieved with the full participation of women and feminist organizations. They acknowledged that women’s rights are human rights and that gender equality is necessary for sustainable development. The participants emphasized the importance of creating an enabling environment for women and girls to participate fully in all aspects of life, including decision-making processes.
The Forum concluded with the adoption of a set of recommendations, which included the need for increased investment in women’s empowerment, the importance of engaging men and boys in promoting gender equality, the need for stronger legal frameworks to protect women’s rights, and the importance of strengthening feminist civil society organizations. The participants also emphasized the importance of continued dialogue and collaboration among all stakeholders to advance gender equality and women’s rights in the Mediterranean region.
