How are all of the changes taking place in contemporary Europe affecting women? The European Feminist Forum, which has its secretariat at the IIAV in Amsterdam, focuses on a variety of issues: the feminist perspective in the process of European enlargement, changes in the landscape of sexual and reproductive rights, and new trends in the (economic) migration of European citizens.

For many women, these changes mean growing poverty and increasing marginalization. For others, European expansion and the ading of old boundaries have opened up new possibilities.

Join the Movement

At the large face-to-face meeting that is planned for the end of 2007, the European Feminist Forum wants to set a new European feminist agenda. In preparation for this meeting, the European Feminist Forum would like feminists in Europe to form affinity groups. These groups are a time-tested organizationnal method of networking, based on common interests, that has been used by the globalization movement.

The European Feminist Forum is looking for participants and coordinators for 15 or so affinity groups, focusing on topics that could vary from economics to abortion laws, and from migration to European enlargement.

Everyone should feel free to propose her own topic and start a group. Coordinators will also be invited to participate in shaping the European Feminist Forum program process; financial support is available.

Initiating networks of the European Feminist Forum:

 WIDE network, Globalizing Gender Equality and Social Justice
 Astra, The Central and Eastern European Women’s Network for Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights
 Babaylan, The Philippine Women’s Network in Europe and Bayanihan
 The Networks Associated with the International Information Centre and Archives for the Women’s Movement
 The Women’s Peace Makers Program of IFOR
 Karat Coalition, A Network of Women’s NGOs from Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS)
 NEWW:, The Network of East-West Women
 The Network of the Roma Women’s Initiative.

Would you like to coordinate or participate in an affinity group? Contact the European Feminist Forum Organizing Group at eff@iiav.nl.

For more information, please, visit the EFF website.