A network: committed to the search for a shared feminism between Latin America, the Caribbean and the European Union
We understand gender equality as a necessary condition for more egalitarian and democratic societies and as an opportunity to build a more symmetrical and horizontal cooperation within and between countries, recognising the contributions of feminist movements and civil society.
We, the promoters of the Network, are a group of women leaders in different public spaces. We are committed to promoting its growth and visibility from our respective fields of work, acting as spokespersons for its activities in different scenarios. In addition, we offer suggestions and advice to identify new opportunities and challenges in the gender equality agenda. We count on the participation of more than 60 partner institutions and individuals from both regions who seek to become actively involved in our initiatives, contributing their experience, interests and capacities.
Our mission
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To connect women, organisations and institutions from Latin American and Caribbean countries and the European Union to strengthen their work and collectively promote transformations for gender equality.
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Promote multilevel, diverse and intergenerational dialogue and the exchange of experiences between women from the European Union and Latin America and the Caribbean, on common interests that seek to advance women's leadership and more egalitarian and inclusive societies.
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Promote the voices and demands of women and feminist movements in both regions in bi-regional and multilateral spaces, putting women at the centre of decision-making.
Lines of action
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We promote women's participation, leadership and inclusion in the governance of climate action, as well as new models of transformative gender green economies.
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Care societies
We promote the centrality of care to build more egalitarian societies, strengthening the role of comprehensive care policies and systems as a driver of development.
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Political participation
We seek greater representation of women in decision-making spaces at local, national and international levels, for example in areas such as foreign policy.
What and How Do We Do It?
We strengthen bi-regional dialogue:
We promote the exchange of experiences through the organisation of dialogues, meetings, and high-level events to amplify the voices of women in both regions.
We present analysis and recommendations
We participate in bi-regional and multilateral spaces
We share expert opinions
Repository
Key highlights of our work
EU-LAC Feminist Foreign Policy Forum
Together with government authorities from Spain and the community of Catalonia, we held a Forum of days to rethink the concept of a Feminist Foreign Policy and how to incorporate the feminist perspective in external actions and bi-regional cooperation in key areas such as human mobility, gender-based violence and the participation and support to feminist movements.
Bi-regional Care Pact
Together with partner institutions, in the framework of the 68th session of the CSW in New York, we organised a High Level Dialogue to discuss the basis of a Bi-regional Pact for Care between LAC and the EU that seeks to foster the exchange of progress and good practices in care policies and systems; promote comparative studies and analysis and invest in closer cooperation programmes to move towards the care society.
Care Dialogues
Between November 2022 and September 2023, we organised a series of dialogues with partner institutions on integrated care systems, focusing on priority populations that receive and provide care: people with disabilities, older people, children and care workers.
EU-LAC Gender Equality Forum
In May 2023, with the aim of feeding into the process of the Summits of Heads of State and Government between the EU and CELAC countries, we proposed to organise a multi-actor Forum on gender equality to take stock of the current situation, current challenges and jointly draw up a list of recommendations in strategic areas such as climate change, peace building, political leadership and overcoming economic and social inequalities.
Gender and climate action
Between September and December 2022 we co-organised with UNDP a cycle of dialogues to put gender equality and women's empowerment at the centre of climate action. We discussed the participation of women in their diversity in climate governance, the opportunities arising from new jobs in fair and low-carbon economies to reduce inequality, and the need for territorial approaches.
Want to join the Network?
If the alliance, organisation or institution you work for is interested in joining the Network, or if you are an independent person who wants to contribute to the work of the Network as well, please review the criteria for joining the Network and fill in the application form.
Being part of the Network offers the opportunity to increase the visibility of gender equality initiatives and strengthen partnerships with public institutions and organisations to develop joint activities. It also allows you to connect with decision-makers, influence inclusive agendas and contribute to the Network's opinion pieces and events.
Contact information
Our Coordination Team at the EU-LAC Foundation manages the tasks and activities of the Network, in collaboration with expert partner institutions, leading the design and implementation of our initiatives.
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Dr. Anna Barrera
Dr. Anna Barrera has an academic background in political science and public law from the Free University of Berlin. During her PhD in Political Science at Simon Fraser University, the University of Hamburg and the GIGA Institute for Latin American Studies, she specialised in Human Rights, Indigenous Peoples, Legal Pluralism and Gender Relations in the Andean Region. With extensive experience in scientific organisations and international development cooperation, she is Director of Programmes at the EU-LAC Foundation.
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Odilia Abreu
Odilia Abreu is a human rights, gender equality, and migration specialist with over 20 years of experience in international development. Odilia´ s career spans impactful projects funded by German, Spanish, and European cooperation agencies, working alongside international organizations, NGOs, and political foundations. A dedicated advocate for migrant and women rights, Odilia serves as an ambassador for the Migravoice community and is a regular columnist for Diário de Notícias da Madeira. Odilia holds a degree in Social Communication from the University of Minho (Portugal), a Master’s in the same field from the University Complutense of Madrid, and a Master’s in Project Management from the University of Murcia. She is currently based in Madrid.