Women and Democratic Change Network Kicks Off With Successful Inaugural Workshop

In response to the global challenge of backsliding democracies and escalating anti-rights movements, the Women and Democratic Change Network recently launched its inaugural virtual workshop on April 12, 2024. This new initiative aims to harness the collective expertise of activists and scholars to examine the role of women in steering democratic and peace movements worldwide.

Highlighting the event, RADAR_BY activists Olga Matveieva and Vasil Navumau participated, bringing their extensive experience from the frontlines of democratic activism in Belarus. Their insights contributed to a broader understanding of the dynamics of women's leadership and its impact on regime change and conflict resolution.

The workshop series seeks to address crucial questions about the integration of women’s leadership in political movements, strategies for advancing democracy and human rights, and the characteristics of successful women-led initiatives. These discussions are set to pave the way for enriched learning and substantial theoretical advancements in these fields.

Following the successful April session, the network will host three additional workshops on the following dates: June 20, August 28, and October 15, 2024. These meetings will build on the foundational discussions of the inaugural workshop, further developing strategies for effective leadership and change.

Participants of these workshops will also collaborate on a collective article intended for the 20th-anniversary edition of the journal "Politics and Gender," which will undergo an expedited review and publication process by March 2025. This collaboration underscores the network’s commitment to producing impactful scholarly work that will influence both academic circles and practical applications in global democratic movements.