The Feminist Network of Gran Canaria and Zuleima Women’s Association will host a conference titled ‘Reaction and Resistance Against New Forms of Machismo’ this Friday, 23 October, at the Centro Cívico Suárez Naranjo in Las Palmas. The event aims to develop strategies to tackle online misogyny, denial of violence against women, and gender inequality in educational settings.
Nereida Vizuete, spokesperson for the Feminist Network and a member of Zuleima, remarked, “We are at a crucial moment. We must strategically address hate and various forms of machismo together, not only to avoid taking steps backward but to continue progressing towards greater equality.”
The conference will run from 4:30 PM to 8:30 PM and is free to attend, supported by the Equality and Diversity Department of the city council. It targets feminist activists, equality professionals, and anyone interested in understanding new forms of violence.
The programme will kick off with a series of short talks discussing the rise in machismo. Speakers will explore the potential causes behind violent reactions to feminist progress, particularly in the digital sphere. Following this, students of various ages will participate in a collective interview to share their experiences and thoughts on gender inequality.
The afternoon will also feature a debate among professionals from different sectors on the narratives that deny violence against women, juxtaposed with the realities of such violence, and strategies to combat this denial. Representatives from the Feminist Network will then propose collective responses to the issues raised.
Vizuete highlighted the current climate, stating, “With every step we take, resistance increases and violence rises; we cannot afford to step back.”
The event will conclude with a summary of the discussions and a performance by AMEBAS, a collective of women artists and feminists formed in April 2023 in Las Palmas, who create music and art reflecting their daily experiences and challenges.
