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3 |
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Thema 3 |
Fundamentalismen und Frauenrechte
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Workshop 3.2 |
Challenging F-Words - Fundamentalism, Feminism, and Faith in Europe |
 Samstag, 10.09.2005, 11.30-13.15 h
GenderkompetenzZentrum an der Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin und Universität Köln
| Referentinnen
Moderation: Claire Bortfeldt, GenderkompetenzZentrum, Deutschland and Franziska Brantner, Universität Köln
With this workshop we intend to draw attention on the fact that many fundamentalist movements only accept one understanding of family, sexual rights and social relations, denying the fact that there always exist very different concepts in societies, hereby denying fundamental human and women’s rights.
Issue and Political Relevance
This strategy discussion will deal with fundamentalism, faith and feminism in Europe. The geographic context of Europe is specifically chosen since we witness a lack of awareness and preparedness to this issue in the region.
We are alarmed by recent developments in, for example, the United States with respect to the relationship between church and state. The progressive women’s movement in the United States has long been challenged by conservative women’s organisations. However, with the election of George W. Bush in 2000, the majority of U.S.-Americans have installed a president who has dramatically infringed upon women’s rights nationally and internationally – in the name of religion. At the 49th session of the UN-Commission on the Status of Women in March 2005, progressive women’s activists and politicians had to witness once more the determination with which the United States – which, by the way, has not signed the CEDAW-Convention to date – opposes the right of women to their body, their sexual and reproductive rights. The progressive women’s movement in the U.S., though vibrant and well organized, is overwhelmed at times in the face of powerful religious fundamentalists. As women activists in Europe we want to draw attention to this emerging and alarming issue in our own region. While we respect everyone’s right to religious freedom, we insist on a separation of church and state and oppose religious-based politics. Furthermore, we underline that women’s rights are human rights and human rights are women’s rights and that there may be no such exemption in the name of religion.
Questions and Structure
Could we, in Europe, also be “taken by surprise” by political forces that undermine women’s rights gained? Have we found a convincing solution to integrate our Muslim communities within a women’s rights framework? Is the total separation of church and state a prerequisite to respond to all forms of religious fundamentalism? What could the “counter-mission” look like? In whose name do we act? How do we reconcile the individual right to religious freedom and our vision of diverse societies with our condemnation of legitimizing politics in the name of religion – religions which by their claim to universality end democratic conversations? And how do we reconcile religious convictions with inalienable human rights?
We envision an open and strategically oriented discussion that will be opened by one to three keynote speakers. The moderator will then facilitate the discussion among participants.
Objectives
The immediate objective of the discussion clearly is to raise awareness in respect to the issue of fundamentalism, feminism and faith in Europe. The long-term objective – though ambitious – is to initiate a Europe-wide campaign for a laic state. Summary for Print
This strategy discussion will deal with fundamentalism, faith and feminism in Europe. The geographic context of Europe is specifically chosen since we witness a lack of awareness and preparedness to this issue in the region. Could we, in Europe, also be “taken by surprise” by political forces that undermine women’s rights gained? Have we found a convincing solution to integrate our Muslim communities within a women’s rights framework? Is the total separation of church and state a prerequisite to respond to all forms of religious fundamentalism?
Participants
We will invite experts and activists from the academia, the church (catholic or protestant), and the Muslim community in Germany.
| Papers
- Franziska Brantner: "Religiöser Fundamentalismus gegen Frauenrechte, auf internationaler, EU- und deutscher Ebene"
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| Kontakt
Claire Bortfeldt, GenderKompetenzZentrum an der Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, E-Mail claire.bortfeldt@web.de , Homepage http://www.genderkompetenz.info/
Franziska Brantner, Universität Köln, E-Mail franziska.brantner@gmx.de
Aktualisiert: 05.09.2005, hbr
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