In The News
This piece was originally published in the New Straits Times on 23 June 2007.
FIESTA Feminista is a Malaysian initiative to bring together - people who share a vision for a just and equal society, free of all forms of discrimination, particularly discrimination against women.
This collaboration enabled two key players in civil society - women's groups and the academia - to synergise efforts to address issues and challenges facing women in Malaysia.
The objectives of the fiesta were to popularise feminism in Malaysia and create an avenue for people to change inequalities in society; to bring together a broad range of people to discuss issues of feminism, human rights and democracy; and to create spaces in which the next generation of feminist leadership can participate and take charge.
Over 500 participants from all walks of life, men and women, were involved in skill building workshops, mini-lectures, interactive presentations, exhibitions, cultural performances, and short films.
These activities covered issues under four broad areas: feminism; gender and development; human rights and democracy; social movements; and women organising.
The theme Embracing Diversity acknowledges and celebrates diversity as a necessary step towards bridging and addressing differences.
