GAMS Belgium - Webinar on Feminism and Anti-Racism

On the 19th of May, GAMS Belgium, one of our Members, organised a Webinar called "Féminisme et antiracisme : perspectives pour la lutte contre les MGF en Belgique" (Feminism & Anti-Racism: perspectives to fight against FGM in Belgium).

GAMS Belgium organised a Webinar on the theme of feminism and anti-racism with the aim of reflecting on the fight against FGM. The Webinar was part of a long-term project to deconstruct the misconceptions surrounding migrant women affected by FGM.

Isma Benboulerbah, End FGM EU's Programmes Officer, represented the Network and talked about the intrumentalisation and sensationalisation of FGM. Language is an essential and powerful tool in ending this harmful practice, but too often we see a sensationalisation and romantisation of the fight against FGM: talking about FGM musn't always come with survivors' stories, children's pictures, subliminal references to Islam and use of pathos narratives. If you want to learn more on how to talk about FGM, check our guide (available in 10 different languages).

Diariou Sow and Oumar Diallo, both members of GAMS Belgium's board of directors, introduced and moderated this virtual conference, while Betel Mabille, a queer and decolonial Afro-feminist activist, addressed the issue of racism as a system, highlighting three major concepts: neocolonialism, western imperialism and white saviorism.

You can read the Summary of the Webinar HERE (in English) and watch the Recording (in French):