Each year, the Rural Women’s Assembly (RWA) holds a Feminist School dedicated to advancing and strengthening rural women’s struggles against capitalism and patriarchy. The 2022 RWA Annual Feminist School, the eighth of its kind, took place from October 30 to November 6 in Windhoek, Namibia.
The theme for the 2022 Feminist School was Eco-feminism: Building Power to Confront Power. This pivotal event saw participation from nine countries within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region, bringing together 53 participants from diverse backgrounds. These participants, hailing from RWA country chapters, included country leaders, young women, farmers, and local activists from women’s groups and unions. Their diverse perspectives enriched the learning process, fostering a robust exchange of ideas and experiences.
Sessions at the Feminist School were expertly facilitated by three facilitators with strong feminist backgrounds. The curriculum centered on unpacking the complexities of patriarchy, capitalism, and power, and exploring the intersectionality of these forces as tools to disenfranchise women. The key question driving the discussions was: How do patriarchy, capitalism, and power play out in the daily lives of rural women, and what feminist alternatives can women use to dismantle these oppressive systems?
Participants engaged in deep, thought-provoking dialogues, sharing personal stories and strategies for resistance. The facilitators guided them through the process of understanding the intricate ways in which these systems of power operate and intersect, providing a comprehensive framework for developing feminist alternatives.
The 2022 RWA Feminist School report delves into the insights and outcomes of this transformative gathering. It highlights the collective learning, the challenges faced, and the innovative solutions proposed by rural women to confront and dismantle patriarchal and capitalist structures in their communities.
Join us in this journey towards empowerment and equality. Read the full 2022 RWA Feminist School report here.
