Editorial

Movement building is the focus of this issue of the “Feminist Voices Bulletin’. Movement Building is a key strategy that Young Women’s Leadership Institute (YWLI) is using for the program work with young women and girls.  In the various articles by young women, we seek to understand the meaning of movement building through sharing of experiences and insights. Saida in her article, ‘caution movement building ahead’, gives insight on the meaning of movement building, as a means and end to a journey.  She furthers shares reflections on movement building and the role that YWLI has played in ‘galvanising voices of young women’ in the movement.

Women have held forums and celebrations in the recent past with movement building being at the forefront of the agenda. Sophie shares the experience of the pomp and colour,  that was AWID conference held in Cape Town in 2008 under the theme ‘the power of movements’ while Myra shares the experience of the first ever Gender Festival in Kenya. The celebration of diversity in these forums acknowledges the space of young women in the feminist and women’s movements, as  young women are not only there in numbers but also engaged with fully.

What about men and boys? Beverline Ongaro shares her insights on amassing the missing gender and the need to involve men and boys in gender discourse, while also appreciating that men, like women are not a homogenous group. What are the tactics in advocacy and building movements? Sophie shares the experience of Liberia women as documented in the movie ‘pray the devil back to hell’ where women played a key role in bringing peace to the country. Kathambi also shares the experience of Kenyan women frustrated by issues in the country who called for a sex boycott under the G10 banner. So why sex? Read more in the article ‘It is and isn’t about sex’. Kathambi further gives insights on how movement building can be approached as a social epidemic, a virus targeting the right carriers with a pattern that aims to create real, voluntary and popular attitudes.

Finally, loses are always difficult but eventuality. ‘You ‘rose above the waves’ is a tribute to Rose Alinda who until her demise was a member of the YWLI network as a celebration to a life well lived.

As you read these incisive articles, we appreciate feedback and comments on the same as we work at making strong movement!

Enjoy and be informed,

Sophie Ngugi, Programme Coordinator