During January 2025, over 35 feminist activists gathered in São Paulo, Brazil, for the highly anticipated South-South Cross Regional Meeting. This landmark event brought together feminists from both the Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) and South West Asia and North Africa (SWANA) regions to discuss and strategize on critical issues facing women and girls’ sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), alongside other pressing challenges in the fight for gender justice.
Hosted by Oxfam Brazil and Oxfam’s regional office in SWANA, the meeting was organized by FEMALE Lebanon and Sukuamis Mexico and Oxfam Latin American regional platform. The event was facilitated by two seasoned feminists, Perla Martinez and Christina Kaghadou, whose vast experience in feminist organizing guided discussions through innovative and decolonized approaches. The meeting provided a safe and dynamic space for activists to share their experiences, learn from one another, and build cross-regional solidarity for future collective actions.
A Meeting of Revolutionary Feminists
The South-South Cross Regional Meeting was more than just a space to exchange ideas; it was a celebration of feminist activism across continents. With participants hailing from over 15 countries, including Brazil, Honduras, Chile, Bolivia, Mexico, Peru, Guatemala, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Kuwait, Palestine, Tunisia, Morocco, and Egypt, the event allowed for powerful intersections of diverse feminist struggles and visions.
Activists gathered to explore strategies for pushing feminist agenda and defending SRHR amidst the challenges posed by local and global political crises. The conversation revolved around combating colonial legacies, occupation, and the far-right political atrocities affecting women and girls, especially in the context of increasing attacks on reproductive and sexual rights.
Decolonizing Feminist Struggles
A core theme throughout the meeting was decolonization. As the global feminist movement continues to grow and confront the shared struggles of women and girls, the need for cross-regional solidarity becomes ever more crucial. The LAC and SWANA regions, though geographically distant, face similar challenges, from authoritarian regimes to gender-based violence, and from restrictive laws to social stigmas surrounding women’s autonomy. The meeting highlighted how these struggles connect and how global movements can bridge these divides to achieve real transformation.
Participants shared their regional struggles and best practices, identifying ways to support each other’s movements through knowledge exchange, capacity building, and coordinated actions. By exploring the intersectionality of their fights, activists worked collectively to forge a path towards a stronger, more united feminist movement that extends beyond borders.
Activities That Fostered Fun and Solidarity
While the meeting was a space for serious conversation and collective planning, it also incorporated activities that fostered deep connections and solidarity among participants. One of the highlights was a tour through São Paulo, where activists learned about the anti-racist feminist movement and explored the liberation of the Afro-Brazilian community. This experience was a poignant reminder of the importance of connecting feminist struggles to racial justice and historical liberation movements.
By blending fun and adventure with activism, the meeting helped strengthen ties between activists, allowing them to bond over shared experiences and common goals. These moments of connection were essential in fostering the transformational solidarity that will continue to fuel cross-regional feminist movements.
Moving Forward with Shared Goals
As the South-South Cross Regional Meeting came to a close, participants left with a renewed sense of purpose and unity. The discussions had illuminated the path ahead: to build a decolonized feminist movement that takes into account the unique yet interconnected battles fought by feminists across the world. By utilizing innovative strategies and cross-regional solidarity, the meeting has helped pave the way for a global movement that transcends borders, advocating for the rights, dignity, and freedom of women and girls everywhere.
This event marks just the beginning of many future collaborations, as the feminist activists from LAC and SWANA continue to build on the insights and connections made during these three powerful days in São Paulo. Together, they will continue to fight for freedom, justice, and equality—not only in their respective regions but globally.
