Only an Inclusive Feminism Is a Strong Feminism

Dear friends, 
dear awardee, 
dear guests,

a few weeks ago I returned from Senegal where I learned a word that has been on my mind ever since : Teranga. Teranga, a word in the Wolof language, might be rendered in German as Gastfreundschaft, or, in English, as hospitality. However, it goes beyond that, including much more, namely generosity, respectfulness, sharing with others, including others, maintaining social harmony, and being tolerant towards strangers.

Teranga is more than just a gesture, it's a way of life – it's the essence that is holding Senegal together. I've experienced this Teranga myself – in the cordial way I was welcome, during frank talks I had, and by sharing the national dish thieboudienne, the original version of the West African jollof rice with fish and vegetables.

I very much hope that tonight, we who are gathered here at the Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung, will live up to that spirit – by honouring in Awa Fall-Diop a most remarkable feminist, and by opening up the space in which to meet, to recognise others, and to show solidarity –  across borders.

Feminist demands seen as a threat to cultural identity

Today, when we talk about feminist struggles in Senegal, we are talking about women such as this year's awardee, women, who have widened the scope of what is possible by breaking social taboos and by fighting hard for women's rights – and thus for achievements that are currently under attack around the world and in Senegal too.

Recent years have seen an increase in violence against women in Senegal. Feminist organisations are reporting a rise in sexualised violence, in femicides, and of public hostility. Such trends are not isolated occurrences; they are part of a wider social polarisation that is happening on a global scale. Conservative forces are gaining in strength, traditional gender roles are seeing a resurgence, and feminist demands are being perceived as a threat to cultural identity.

Such dynamics are also reflected in politics. Currently, Senegal's parliament is moving towards passing a law that would result in tougher sanctions against same-sex relationships. Such a measure would exacerbate the tenuous situation of people who are already being marginalised. Also, human rights organisations that face multiple challenges are under further pressure, as funds are being cut in areas where they are most needed, that is, for programmes that defend sexual and reproductive rights. Yet still – or despite that – today's feminist movement in Senegal is a force to be reckoned with, as it is diverse, intergenerational, and interconnected. Currently, many civil society actors are demanding an overhaul of family law and the addition of a clause to criminal law that specifically penalises femicides. These demands are supported by a broad coalition of intellectuals, activists, and public figures – and today's awardee is one of them.

A path through life – towards freedom and self-determination

For decades, Awa Fall-Diop has navigated the path between these poles. Repeatedly she's pointed out that legal reforms are necessary, yet not sufficient, and that in order to decolonise Africa successfully the genders will have to be freed from their fetters. For her, only an inclusive feminism is a strong feminism, meaning it needs to take into account women, as well as young people, people with different sexual orientations, as well as those forced to live at the margins. Today, by presenting her with this award, we are not just honouring a formidable individual, we are also supporting a movement that is keeping up its struggle under challenging conditions – and that with great courage, intelligence, and perseverance. For us, who are here today, this movement has a face – Awa Fall-Diop.

In October, the jury selected you – a woman whose path through life is exemplary for Senegal’s long journey towards freedom and self-determination. Born before her country's independence into a society that was patriarchal but with many strong women around her, she learned at an early age the meaning of inequality – and what resistance can bring about.

As a teacher, she launched a countrywide campaign demanding equal rights for women in the country's social security system. She set up the Observatoire des Relations de Genre au Sénégal, an institute that monitors and analyses gender relations. She developed gender-sensitive curricula and campaigned against the stereotypical depiction of gender roles in schools. She had a part in groundbreaking legal reform projects, ranging from gender parity to the criminalisation of sexual violence. All of this she did at a considerable personal cost, including imprisonment, public hostility, and threats.

Imparting feminist knowledge is not a one-way street

With its selection, the jury is honouring the courageous life you've lead – as a member of organisations, in politics, or within social movements. We are honouring your ability to build bridges, be it between generations, be it between local struggles and Pan-African outlooks. Also, we are honouring your uncompromising efforts towards gender equality as part of a comprehensive social decolonisation. A few weeks ago, in Dakar, I experienced what Awa Fall-Diop means to many young feminists there. During a presentation of the book Femmes en mouvement au Sénégal she was not, as one might have expected, on the podium but sat in the audience, taking notes and attentively following the debate. She clearly took the viewpoints of the younger generation seriously and, right after the event had ended, she could be seen engaged in talks with the speakers.

This truly impressed me, as it goes to show that imparting feminist knowledge is not a one-way street. To be open to dialogue, open to shared learning, and receptive to exchanges that are marked by mutual respect, as well as being intersectional and intergenerational, is also a form of Senegalese Teranga.

An award meant to bring feminist voices into global focus

Dear Awa Fall-Diop, today we are honouring your decades of commitment and your courage. Also, we would like to stress that you're not fighting in isolation. Your struggle resonates – and it resonates not just in Africa but also here in Germany and in Europe, as part of our shared struggle for justice.

While, today, we're celebrating the final Women's Award that bears the name of Anne Klein, the occasion will, at the same time, entrust us with the mission to continue in the spirit of Anne Klein, namely, to keep her vision alive and to keep on bringing feminist voices to a wider audience, especially in times when this is becoming harder and harder.

In Senegal I experienced Teranga.

I hope that tonight we will be able to impart something of this spirit in return – that we will be steadfast in our solidarity with others, attentive and willing to learn; that we will create spaces in which to honour feminist struggles and develop them further.

On that note:

Welcome

Bienvenue and Dialal ak Jamm!