With the presence of 20 researchers and leaders of associations committed to equality, our Foundation contributed to the collective reflection on the relations of patriarchy and contemporary feminist issues, subjects at the heart of the debate of the 8th Congress of Feminist Research in the Francophonie CIRFF. A summary of these activities is proposed below. Session 1 "A methodological approach to transform our knowledge into action, focusing on the Euro-Mediterranean region" was moderated by Serena Romano.
To convince policymakers to act, civil society must rely on data and statistics, hence the importance of involving researchers in the fight to ensure that the power of men and women is balanced. Social networks, media and campaigns run by consortia of associations in several countries are equally important tools for accelerating change. Regarding the inheritance that favours men at the expense of women in most legal systems of the southern Mediterranean countries, the speakers argued that rights of private life are essential for equality in public life.
Session 2 " Women in power in the Mediterranean South: Progress and challenges? Was moderated by Emilie Vidal. In Lebanon for instance and over 70 years there have been only 11 women in parliament and one woman out of 30 ministers in the current government. However, thanks to the efforts of civil society, the number of women who run for the municipal elections of increased considerably out of candidates were women.
Associations play a key role in training women and encouraging them to take their rightful place in public life through debates and awareness campaigns in the media. In Tunisia, the horizontal and vertical parity which was adopted during the municipal elections of was the result of a long lobbying effort by Tunisian civil society.
Despite these encouraging advances, a major challenge persists: to push for law enforcement and changing mindsets. Habache talked about women craftswomen and entrepreneurs who start their business in order to stop depending on their husbands or fathers.
