Key Insights from GENDERISE International Conference 2025: Rethinking Justice and Security

On March 25–26, 2025, scholars, advocates, and activists gathered at the conference Rethinking Justice and Security: Feminist Approaches to Global Challenges to strategize and advance new frameworks for addressing global justice and security concerns.  Amid rising inequalities, environmental crises, and political instability, discussions centered on the intersection of macroeconomic policies, domestic security, and environmental challenges.

Centering Gender, Justice, and Security in Global Policy

Keynote speaker Diakhoumba Gassama  Pan African Feminist Human Rights Lawyer set the stage for the conference by emphasizing how lived experiences place individuals at the center of gender, justice, and security concerns—politically, socially, and economically. Gassama highlighted the need to rethink security and economic frameworks in Latin America, Africa, Central and Eastern Europe, Asia, and the Pacific, where communities are disproportionately affected by these challenges. This blog post captures key insights from the conference, showcasing how feminist approaches provide innovative pathways to justice and security in an era of global uncertainty.

Ecofeminist Visions for Economic Renewal: Rethinking Justice and Security in a Changing Economy

Olumide J. OKI (BSc, MBA, DBA)  presentation challenged traditional economic justice and security notions, arguing that economic transitions must address gendered vulnerabilities. Conventional economic models have historically marginalized women, particularly in the Global South, where structural inequalities determine who benefits from development.

Ecofeminism, as OKI highlighted, offers a radical rethinking of the economic system interweaving environmental justice with gender equity. His research showcased participatory, community-led initiatives that redistribute power and resources while dismantling patriarchal and capitalist structures prioritizing profit over people and ecosystems.

For example, community-led renewable energy projects in rural Latin America place women at the forefront of decision-making. Similarly, urban green infrastructure projects in Southeast Asia led by grassroots feminist movements demonstrate how marginalized communities can reclaim public spaces for climate resilience, economic renewal, and social cohesion.

OKI underscored that true security is about resilient, inclusive communities. This means securing land rights for women farmers, ensuring indigenous communities control their natural resources, and crafting economic policies that prioritize ecological sustainability over corporate interests.

INNOVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS: SUSTAINABLE FINANCE AND GREEN BONDS

At the conference, HON. aniedi inyang delivered an urgent message: climate change is an economic challenge that demands financial innovation. Green bonds have emerged as a game-changer, providing capital for climate-resilient infrastructure while fostering economic growth.

However, challenges remain, particularly regarding greenwashing—when issuers misrepresent the environmental impact of projects. Aniedi emphasized the need for clear regulatory frameworks and global standards to ensure credibility and transparency in sustainable finance.

Her call to action was clear: for green bonds to reach their full potential, stakeholders—from investors to policymakers—must commit to responsible, transparent, and impact-driven financial decisions. The finance sector is not just an observer in the climate crisis; it is a catalyst for change.

Restructuring Securities: Women's Leadership, Agency, and the Intersection of Violence in Post-Conflict Communities in Trinidad and Tobago

Deniel Novella presentation illuminated the overlooked role of women in Post-Conflict communities within Trinidad and Tobago. Drawing from the 2017 Women’s Institute for Alternative Development (WINAD) report, the study amplifies women’s voices in the discourse on violence, security, and leadership.

Violence in urban, under-resourced communities disproportionately impacts women. While men are often direct victims of gun violence, women bear the aftermath. Highlighting how women's experiences of security and insecurity differ from those of men and are influenced by broader social, economic, and political structures.

Deniel called for a shift in security strategies, urging policymakers to move beyond militarized responses and prioritize women’s safety and participation in decision-making. Gender-sensitive policies must recognize that women are not only victims of violence but also key stakeholders in community security and arms control.

Urban Resilience and Institutions: Local Governance and Climate Resilience in African Cities

Jennifer Obado-Joel, PhD. highlighted the vulnerabilities of African cities in the face of climate change. Limited resources, poor infrastructure, and weak governance exacerbate urban crises, from flooding to water scarcity.

Resilience is more than surviving climate shocks—it is about proactive planning. Strengthening institutions, investing in carbon trading, and fostering public-private partnerships were identified as essential for climate adaptation. Without robust governance frameworks, urban climate challenges will escalate into humanitarian disasters.

Dr. Jennifer emphasized the need for coordinated action between local, regional, and national governments to build climate-resilient African cities. The time for action is now—before vulnerabilities turn into irreversible crises.

Understanding the Crisis: Climate-Induced Migration and Resource Scarcity

In Kilifi County, Kenya, the land tells stories of struggle—cracked soil, charred forests, and rising floodwaters. BAHATI KAHINDI presentation brought forward the voices of those most affected by climate-induced migration and resource scarcity, particularly women making impossible choices and children losing their homes.

Bahati gave an example of the annual flooding of the River Sabaki, displacing thousands who rely on its banks for farming. Extreme rainfall deposits water into the river, destroying homes and worsening food insecurity. Families are forced into makeshift camps where resources are scarce. The devastating impacts of climate-induced migration.

When a flood washes away home or a forest fire burns down a homestead, it doesn’t just take walls and roofs — it strips away dignity, safety, and hope. Women are forced into heartbreaking choices, trading their daughters for a meal because poverty, intensified by climate disasters, left them with nothing. These are the unheard voices demanding urgent action.

Kahindi underscored the human cost of climate change, emphasizing the urgent need for policies that prioritize community resilience, sustainable land management, and inclusive disaster preparedness.

Conclusion: A Call for Feminist Solutions to Global Injustice

The Rethinking Justice and Security conference underscored a crucial reality: justice and security cannot be achieved without reimagining the systems that sustain them. Feminist approaches provide a transformative framework, addressing economic inequality, environmental injustice, and gendered security threats.

By integrating ecofeminist principles, advancing sustainable finance, strengthening local governance, and recognizing women’s agency in security frameworks, we can build a world where justice and security are not privileges but fundamental rights.

The storm is coming—but it does not have to wash away the future. The time for action is now.