In Georgia – a country where religion and conservative forces still dominate media and politics – a new wave of young people are calling for change. "We live in a country which is crazy polarised. I believe polarisation is a global threat, not just a local one. Whether it's El Salvador or Georgia or somewhere else. It's going to sound cliché, but we need to talk to people. To listen more.”
// Atina, a founding member of GrlzWave
This is the story of GrlzWave – the voice of a generation fed up with patriarchal oppression and the lack of real change for women and LGBT+ people.
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Ugandan member of parliament John Musira, at a debate of the Anti-Homosexuality bill in Uganda, March 21, 2023.
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// THE RISE OF LGBTQ+ DISCRIMINATION On April 3, at a conference on “family values and sovereignty” Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni called on African leaders to save the world from homosexuality, but who will save the world from Museveni and his peers?
The statement follows an anti-homosexuality bill that was passed in March in Uganda, further curtailing the rights of LGBTQ+ persons, infringing on rights to privacy and freedom of expression, and going so far as to criminalize people for simply identifying as LGBTQ+ or engaging consensual same-sex relationships. Kenya’s newly elected president William Ruto echoed such sentiments, claiming homosexuality and same sex marriage would be prohibited during his term. Sadly, despite developments in law and societal norms when it comes to the rights of LGBTQ+ people globally, public opinion remains sharply divided, and a recent report by the European International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA) showed that in 2022, violence against LGBTQ+ people has reached its highest point in the last decade in Europe and Central Asia.
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// A PORTRAIT OF MARYJACOB OKWUOSA When Maryjacob Okwuosa was ten years old, someone called her a feminist, and she had no idea what that was, but she liked the sound of it. Today she is the founder of Whisper To Humanity, a youth-led feminist organization nourishing young people to be forces of change. She is also an education advocate, a poet, a dreamer, fierce change-maker, community builder and an activist, who sometimes feels a little tired. Through an in-depth portrait of Maryjacob, we invite you to a conversation about feminism for all genders, creating sustainable change, and how to cope when you are feeling 'burn-out'!
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// MORE ON FEMINISM FOR MEN... Is it true that men are afraid of feminism? Are you a feminist? What is it? What is it not? It is important? These and other questions will be explored in our new mobile video series called EVERYDAY FEMINISM where people around the world are engaged in everyday questions about feminism - deconstructing the ambiguity that sometimes clouds feminism. Watch the video here!
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// Earlier this year, a GLOBAL PEOPLE POWER FORUM was held in Arusha, Tanzania, bringing together over 80 activists from around the world to share, deliberate and plan for the future! We met a LOT of inspiring activists and social movements.
Around the world there are thousands of social movements consisting of people who have decided to act against the misuse of power and unjust systems; whether it is by taking down corrupt leaders, challenging exploitative companies or countering societal norms, they work tirelessly to create change in their communities and the world. We have seen what can be achieved when civilians work together from the bottom up. We have seen what happens when people speak up, act and refuse to be part of the system they want to change. That is why ActionAid Denmark has created a People Power Award, to express our thanks, gratitude and bow our heads to all social movements that are creating positive change in this world.
The award will present one movement with the opportunity to show the world what they have been doing and to receive dedicated support for their work! Follow the link to learn more and nominate a social movement today!
For more information contact Marin Sinclair, msi@ms.dk
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// A RESILIENT FIGHT FOR CLIMATE JUSTICE Corporations in the global north continue to fossil-finance, plunging the global south deeper into climate chaos and debt distress. This is why during the Global Climate Strike on March 3rd, hundreds of young people from Bangladesh and more than 24 youth organisations peacefully protested at the National Press Club in Dhaka against fossil fuel financing. Meet Sumaiya Pervin, a brave young activist working on climate action and women's rights in Bangladesh.
Upcoming Climate Actions Camp in Bangladesh In an effort to strengthen our network and strategize for the ultimate goal of achieving climate justice, the Global Platforms network will host a climate actions camp in Dhaka, Bangladesh from May 15th to May 20th. This camp will bring together campaigners and climate justice focal persons within the Global Platforms drawn from 24 countries to build relationships, develop their capacity, share best practices and create joint tactics, actions and strategies towards climate justice, and establish more resilient initiatives in the fight against climate change. Be sure to catch updates and a livestream of the same here.
A marriage of crises It is time to recognise the vicious cycle between the debt and climate crises. A new briefing by ActionAid exposes links between climate impacts and debt, calling for debt cancellation as a strategy to deliver climate justice, and for climate finance to be in the form of grants, not loans. Find out more here: The Vicious Cycle: Connections Between the Debt Crisis and the Climate Crisis
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// PROTECTING THE RIGHTS OF INFORMAL WORKERS The collapse of the Rana Plaza building in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on 24th April 2013, claimed the lives of more than eleven hundred garment workers and left many more critically injured - a tragedy which some labour unionists say is better described as homicide. Ten years on, accidents remain commonplace, as does the exploitation of workers worldwide.
What future lies ahead for informal workers, given the growing uncertainties caused by climate change, global conflict, and risks of future pandemics?
What role can trade unions and civil society organizations play in helping build collectives of informal workers?
What are the possibilities of building global solidarities on the rights of informal workers?
Join us on online on 22nd May as we discuss these questions and more with leading activists and movement supporters across three continents!
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// REACT: RESEARCH IN ACTION ActionAid Denmark has embarked on a new research collaboration with the International Center on Nonviolent Conflict called "Research in Action" or REACT for short! The vision is to create a space to explore, express, exchange and produce useful knowledge with and for nonviolent movements!
We’ll be producing a series of blog posts in collaboration with activists from our global network who are engaged in nonviolent movements for diverse causes. There's one thing they all have in common: A relationship to writing that transcends the personal and ventures well into the domain of collective power. If language is power, then writing is revolution. Read the first blog here.
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// BEAUTIFUL TROUBLE MONTHLY JAM SERIES Last month Beautiful Trouble launched a series of FREE jam sessions to help you use Beautiful Trouble resources and tools more efficiently and to take advantage of its hidden gems! **Register TODAY** for the upcoming Monday jams:
🔨 MAY 15th: How to Use the Beautiful Trouble Strategy Card Deck
🔨 JUNE 12th: Intro to Movement Compass
(In case you missed the first session in March, which was an Introduction to the Beautiful Trouble toolbox, you can still watch the recording)
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// TROUBLEMAKERS OF THE WORLD, APPLY NOW! Do you have a BOLD, creative idea for your campaign - or a daring and urgent direct action - but you need a little tangible boost (i.e. cash) to help it happen? Look no further. Bureaucracy is a tool of oppression so Beautiful Trouble has made the application and reporting processes simple and straightforward. Applications are accepted on a rolling-basis and reviewed monthly, so please submit your application by the 5th of the month to be considered.
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