FiLiA is a global feminist organisation that hosts an annual conference
FiLiA is a feminist organisation that aims to amplify the voices of women and girls from diverse backgrounds and experiences. FiLiA hosts an annual conference that brings together women’s rights activists, academics, artists, and campaigners from around the world. The conference features workshops, panel discussions, performances, and exhibitions on various topics related to feminism and social justice.
This year, Glasgow had the honour of hosting the FiLiA conference, which took place on October 14 and 15 at the Glasgow Caledonian University. The conference attracted more than 1,000 attendees and speakers from countries such as India, Afghanistan, Canada, Japan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
FiLiA conference faced opposition from anti-feminist groups
Despite the importance and relevance of the FiLiA conference, it faced opposition from some anti-feminist groups who tried to disrupt and cancel the event. These groups accused FiLiA of being transphobic, exclusionary, and hateful. They staged protests outside the venue, shouted abusive slogans, and harassed some of the attendees and speakers.
However, FiLiA organisers and supporters did not let these attacks deter them from holding the conference. They defended their right to free speech and assembly, and asserted their solidarity with women from all walks of life. They also pointed out the irony and hypocrisy of the anti-feminist groups who claimed to be progressive and inclusive, but were actually silencing and intimidating women who dared to challenge the status quo.
FiLiA conference covered a range of topics related to women’s issues
The FiLiA conference offered a rich and diverse programme of events that covered a range of topics related to women’s issues. Some of the highlights included:
- A keynote speech by JK Rowling, the famous author of Harry Potter, who spoke about her experience of domestic abuse and sexual assault, and her support for women’s rights.
- A panel discussion on surrogacy, which explored the ethical, legal, and social implications of renting women’s wombs for profit.
- A rally against sex-buying, which called for the criminalisation of men who pay for sex, and the decriminalisation of women who sell sex.
- A presentation on sex dolls and robots, which exposed the harmful effects of these technologies on women’s dignity, safety, and equality.
- A workshop on international child abduction, which provided information and support for women whose children have been taken abroad by their ex-partners.
FiLiA conference inspired action and change for women’s rights
The FiLiA conference was not only a platform for sharing information and ideas, but also a catalyst for action and change. The conference inspired many women to get involved in feminist activism, to network with other like-minded women, and to challenge the oppression and discrimination they face in their daily lives.
The conference also generated media attention and public awareness on some of the urgent issues affecting women around the world. The conference organisers hope that the impact of the FiLiA conference will continue beyond the two days of the event, and will lead to more positive outcomes for women’s rights in the future.
What will happen next for FiLiA?
The FiLiA conference may be over, but the work of FiLiA is not. FiLiA is a year-round organisation that supports various projects and campaigns related to feminism and social justice. Some of these projects include:
- FiLiArt, which showcases the work of women artists who challenge stereotypes and celebrate diversity.
- FiLiBooks, which publishes books by women writers who offer alternative perspectives and narratives.
- FiLiPodcast, which features interviews with women activists, academics, and experts on various topics related to feminism.
- FiLiFund, which provides grants to grassroots women’s organisations that work on issues such as violence against women, reproductive rights, environmental justice, and education.
FiLiA also plans to host more events throughout the year, such as film screenings, book launches, webinars, and workshops. And of course, FiLiA is already preparing for its next annual conference in 2024, which promises to be another exciting and empowering event for women.
