Today is International Women’s Day, and what better time to gather our ILGA World family together and celebrate the tremendous efforts by lesbian, bisexual, trans, intersex and queer women in shaping a more equal future for all!
On this important day, we are proud to present the first issue of Women Moving Forward Together, the magazine created by ILGA World’s Women’s Committee with a feminist approach to tell the story of how LBTIQ women have been, are and continue to be a driving force in the history of our movement.
Every two months, the magazine will explore the work of women leading ILGA World member organisations and offer insights into how LBTIQ women have historically pushed for change. It will also highlight the dedicated advocacy work of ILGA World, and list some opportunities for funding directed to LBTIQ groups.
ILGA Word’s Women Committee is currently chaired by Cristina González Hurtado (from the member organisation Corporación Femm; Colombia), and formed by Sandra Kwikiriza (Fem Alliance Uganda, Uganda), Brenda Rodriguez Alegre (STRAP – Society of Trans Women Philippines; Philippines), Teresa Fernandez (Red de Mujeres Lesbianas y Bisexuales; Cuba), Maria Nailevu (Pacific Sexual and Gender Diversity Network; Tonga), and Winnie Luk (Rainbow Railroad; Canada), while the position of representative for Europe and Central Asia is currently vacant.
"As of 2019, population committees within our governance structure have come into force, and one of those committees is the Women's committee. This bi-monthly magazine is a bid to recognise and praise the work of lesbians and BTQI women in the fight for the rights of all and everyone", said Cristina González Hurtado, Chair of the Women’s Committee of ILGA World.
"ILGA World has a wonderful and strong herstory of advocating for the rights of women in our communities at the United Nations,” said Kseniya Kirichenko, Programme Coordinator at ILGA World on UN advocacy, women and training. “It is important to continue fighting against patriarchy and misogyny at this level to bring changes to women on the ground. To all women in our communities, including lesbian, trans, bisexual, intersex, but also women with disabilities, Black women, women of colour, refugee and migrant women, indigenous women, girls, older women, sex workers. I hope this publication will help us to practice more solidarity and sharing”.
“Women from all walks of life, in all their diversity, are an unstoppable force for change,” said Luz Elena Aranda and Tuisina Ymania Brown, Co-Secretaries General of ILGA World. “Let us not be divided, but rather focus on all the barriers that still need to be dismantled, and keep moving forward together”.