In November, Focus on the Global South collaborated with several organizations, including Bilaterals.org, FIAN Indonesia, the Indonesia CSO Coalition for Economic Justice, Indonesia for Global Justice (IGJ), MKE Coalition, Puanifesto, Sahita Institute, and the Transnational Institute to host a webinar titled “Geopolitics and Globalization: A Feminist Reading and Critique from Asia.”
The event aimed to explore the feminist perspective on the forces propelling re-globalization, which seeks to rebrand the discredited model of neoliberal globalization through concepts like “inclusive development” and “gender equality through trade,” while examining their effects on grassroots women across Asia.
Professor Radhika Balakrishnan from Rutgers University addressed the shortcomings of a growth-centric approach to economic and social organization, proposing systemic alternatives rooted in human rights, well-being, and ecological balance that are already being implemented. Activists for women’s rights from Cambodia, Indonesia, and the Philippines—Sophea Chrek, Salsabila Aziziah, and Sharlaine Balagtas, respectively—contributed their perspectives on how re-globalization impacts grassroots women in their regions, detailing the initiatives their organizations are undertaking to counter these trends and promote gender justice.
